The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-26

and their nammas. ana he said to hina-
self:
does not care if am rich and unTnar-
RED
This feeling inspired the hope of win
ming Adrienne by his personal merits
and he began to court her assiduouslys
She was barely civil to MIN, but
Arnold's Jealousy was aroused, as has
been said After the lovers quarrel,
Adrienne devoted more attention 70
Mortell, partly to punish Arnold, partly
because she was not entirely free from
vanity, and knew how many girls were
envying her the conquest OF the young
millionaire
Then came the suspicion that Arnold
was in love with her money, and then
came a ball at MortelI's luxurious
house.
Last Of all came her father with the
news that Alfred AIortelI had asked for
her hand.
She begged for a week of deliberatfon,
though her mind was made up she
wanted the week in order to be of with
the old love decentIy and in order. The
rupture, she was determined. should be
made by Arnold, not by herself. She
wished to appear well in the world s
eyes and his. for. after all, she loved
him in a way and was grateful to him
for the little romance he had given her
Hence the rendezvous at Haller's.
There, after the walters had brought
the perfunctory ices and retired, Adr1-
enne said:
T have bad news for you You must
promise to listen calmly until the end.
Then you Wtn understand and perhaps
pity me-"
Arnold obeyed, and she continued:
At one time, you know, We were
wealthy. Until a little while ago sup
posed that we We're still wealthy. I
knew. indeed, that papa within the last
year has had to pay large sums on my
brothers account; but still could not
understand why. when we were alone
together he always seemed so anxious
and troubled. But the other day he
told me that my brother had squan
dered enormous sums, and, not daring
to confess to papa. he had tried to cover
his losses by specializing in stocks, the
result of which was that he lost
great deal more In fact as he had
power to sign for the firm. he has gam
bled away not only all his own for
tune, but most of papa's and ours.
Papa had succeeded in obtaining
delay in the payment of the largest
debts, he said.
When papa told me this T tried to
console him by saying that I, for one,
did not care SO much about money
Then he told me the whole truth. The
debts amount to more than we can
pay. Unless we receive assistance
from some source the firm will go into
bankruptcy
Adrienne paused, but Arnold said not
a word. She had glanched at him once
or twice to discover the effect of her
communication. but she did not dare 70
look at him squareIy for fear he would
read the lie in her eyes.
such being the state of affairs she
continued, L resolved, after thinking
and worrying over it a good deal. to
ask you to give me up. I cannot con-
sent to chain your fate to mine, and.
besides feel compelled to sacrifice my
love for you to my love for my father
The shame of bankruptcy would kill
him-I must save him from it. You
know how"
Beer ?" said Arnold He was sur
prised, but never dreamed of question
ing the truth of her statement
Adrienne shrugged her shoulders.
Beer or banking, or railways. What
is the difference2 I am in the market
for the highest bidder
'But-hm! But cannot I, perhaps, as
sist your father? It is true that have
nothing but my salary. Is the sum
mean the sum necessary at once-so
t very large2s
a good many thousands" There
was long pause u cannot give you
/ up Arnold said at last
But you must; I cannot let you sac
! rifiee yourself"
But I love you At1riennei'
"As I do you. Arnold. But we must! .
Another long silence. Then Adrienne
said:
Il must go now I give you unit
you viii give me up and not tempt me
| from my duty. Do not make my heart
heavier than it ist''
If I receive a picture postcard from
you on Sunday shall know that yoU
| agree with me. Cood-byi"
She sprang up and was gone before
he could make any effort to detain her
| Arnold sat looking at the untasted anc
| melted ices.
Two years wastedr he muttered
And believe I am really in love witt
the little thing. Confound it, But
bankrupt father-in-law? Neverl Aftei
a how
it mad come after our formal be.
trothal2''