Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-06-17

something more than a financial loss
impending, and he knew IT,
Throughout the seven and twenty
years Of his life he had been accus-
toned to regard himslf, and had been
regarded by others. as a rich mans
son. Wetmore & Wetmore had always
been held above suspicion AS he sat
in his comfortably furnished rooms he
could hear the cries Of the newsboys
with the special editions of the even
ing papers;
Further details of the wetmore
failure"
He rose from the table and pushed
the papers wearily from him. Stroll
ing from the dressing room adjoining
he exchanged his smoking jacket for
a dress coat and arranged his tie with
a critical air
"If it is to be my last appearance"
he said, "at least I'll make it as out
wardly respectable as I can"
Then he frowned and looked
thoughtfully at the fire. his hand un-
consciously moving toward the mantel-
piece till 1t touched a massive silver
frame containing a portrait, a recent
one evidently, of a particularly hand
some girl.
"It's no good, Bessie-no good, my
dear. dare not speak to you now. I'm
done forp
Twenty minutes later the butler at
Blansford's announced Mr.. Wetmore,
and after a few words with Mrs.
Blansford, his hostess, he passed into
the ballroom. In all the brilliant
crowd there was only one face he
looked for, one well-known figure for
the sight of which he yearned.
At last, after wandering through
several rooms, he saw her. She was
citing under a shaded lamp, appar-
entity paying but little attention to the
man who was talking to her. But the
instant Mr.. Wetmore passed through
the door she beckoned to him.
"Come and sit here, Jack" said she,
pointing to the vacant seat just left
by the other man.
She regarded him with an amused
little smile and a nod of approval. She
was a young woman with ideas Of her
own, and she appreciated the light,
careless manner with which he seemed
to carry his misfortune.
'You don't look very doleful, Jack
under the circumstances"
He laughed a little.
"My dear Miss Blansford, do you
think it would help matters II | went
about looking like mute at q
! funeral?"
"And pray, my dear Jack" she re
torted moekingly, "since when have
become Miss BlansfordT"
"since l heard the news last night,
he answered grimly.
"Oh! very we'll, if you are going tc
pout and quarrel with your friends
just because you've lost a little
money"
ut may be little, but unfortu
nately it happens to be all I've got.
owe a good deal besides"
Wetmore rose and held out his hand
He was fast losing his self-control.
Il must be Off. came only to sa!
good-by to you"
Miss Blansford closed her fan will
a snap.
"sit down, Jack, at once, and dom
be an idiot"
Taken aback at this sudden and pre-
emptory command, he obeyed
Now. then, what was it you reall!
came to say to me?"
ITO say good-by, and ask you I,
wish me good luck" he answered.
What would you have said If thing
had-had been different? Shall l tel
your" she whispered. you woul,
have said, Bessie, l love you. AM
now, just because you're a goose an,
an idiot, and happen to possess NOR
money than 1 know what to do with
you would rather die than say fou
simple little words like that"
"Oh! Bessie"
Eyes. OH Bessie" she continues
moclSingly. ITS always oh! Bessie
And yet through sheer obstlnacy yo
object to my making a formal pre-
posal for the honor Of your hand i
marriage"
Wetmore sprang to his feet.
j Il won't listen" said he. 1T is nc
fair Of you, Bessie"
Fair or not, do you think / am g,
ing to have my whole life spoiled fo
few wretched conventions and
charming dowager or two?"
They'd laugh at you, Bessie, an
i say l married you for your money"
/. "Let them laugh. And as to you
; marrying me, l would beg to remin
/ you that the positions are reverse
+ and that it is 1, Elizabeth Blansfor,
commonly known as Bessie, who herr
by ask you, Jack
II am no fortune hunter, and MARI
you ! won't"
} do 1 not know It is your prid
that prevents you from speaking? An
that is why I have done what have
Il should be a cur If took you
your word he said. Bessie, have
] little mercy Don't tempt me"
Jack is your love for me so sma
a thing that you cannot sacrifice a Il
tie of your pride for It? DO you thin
my part has been so easyr
For a moment there was paus
Then Jack said:
you've won, Bessie" drawing he
to himself, "and Heaven give me Il
power to make you happy"
"Weli. then, there's one thing yo
mustn't do, Jack"
"And thatT'