The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1905-07-14
A W0nan's Way
~~~~N~~o~


y ACK WETMORE ruefully check
al ed the long line Of figures before
him.
1T is smash-utterly and absolute
ly smash. Well, it's no good whining
I'm done for"
Jack gave a sigh, for there was
something more than financial loss i'm
pending, and he knew it.
Throughout the seven and twenty
years of his life, he had been accus-
toned to regard himself, and had been
regarded by others, as 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 edition of the evening
papers:
Further details of the Wetmore fall
ure"
He rose from the table and pushed
the papers YEARLY from him. Stroll
ing into the dressing room adjoining
he exchanged his smoking jacket for q
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 hands I'M
consciously moving toward the mantle
piece till it touched a massive silver
frame containing a portrait. a recent
one evidently, Of particularly hand
some girl.
Its no good, Bessie-no good, my
dear. I dare not speak to you now.
I'm done for"
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 sigh Of
which he yearned.
At last after wandering through
several rooms, he saw her. She was
sitting under a shaded lamp, appar.
emily 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 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 q mute at q fu-
neralT"
"And pray, my dear Jack" she re-
torted mockingly, ''since when have
become Miss BlansfordY"
"Since I heard the news last night"
he answered grimly.
"Oh, very we'll, II you are going to
go and quarrel with your friends Just
because you've lost a little money"
ut may be little. but unfortunate
ly it happens to be all I've got 1 owe
a good deal besides"
Wetmore rose and held out his hand.
He was fast losing his self-control.
at bn oAp
good-by to you"
Miss Blansford closed her fan with
a snap.
"Sit down, Jack, at once, and don't
be an idiot"
Taken aback at this sudden and per-
emptory command, he obeyed.
"Now, then, what was it you really
came to say to meT
ITO say good-by, and ask you to
wish me good luck" he answered.
"What would you have said If things
had-had been difterent7 Shall tell
you?" she whispered. "You would
have said, Bessie, love YOU And
now, just because you're a goose and
an idiot, and 1 happen to possess more
money than l know what to do with,
you would rather die than say four
simple little words like that"
"Oh, Bessie"
Eyes. oh. Bessie" she continued,
mockingly. Its always, oh, Bessie
And yet through sheer obstinacy you
are putting poor Bessie to the trouble
Of making a formal proposal for the
honor of your hand in marriage"
Wetmore sprang to his feet.
II won't listen" said he. ut is not
fair Of you, Bessie"
"Fair or not, do you think I am 60
ing to have my whole life spoiled for a
few wretched conventions and
charming dowager or twoT
They'd laugh at you, Bessie. and
cay married you for your money"