The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-07-15

NJ AIN WEI AOtth ruetuily cnech-
al ed the long line Of figures before
him.
1T Is a smAsh-utterly and absolute
ly a smash. Well. It's no good whining
I'm done for"
Jack gave a sigh, for there was
something more than financial loss Inn
pending. and he knew II.
Throughout the seven and twenty
years OF his life, he had been accus-
toned to regard himself. 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 nsWsbOys
with the special edition Of the evening
papers:
Further details Of the wstmOrS fall
ure."
He rose from the table and pushed
the papers wsaFily from him. Stroll
ing into the dressing room AdJOining
he exchanged his smoking jacket Zoe .
dress coat and arranged bis tie with a
critical air.
III Il is to be my last appearances"
he said. at least Ill make Il a. out
wardly respectable a. I can"
Then be frowued and looked
thoughtfulIy at the Ore. his hands IN.
consciously moving toward the mantle
piece TILL Il touched q massive silver
frame containing q portrait. . recent
one evidently. OF a particularly hand.
some girl.
Its no good. Besaie-no good. my
dear. dare not speak to you now.
I'm done for"
Twenty minutes later the butler at
Blansford's announced Mr.. wetmOre.
and after q few words with Mrs.
Blansford, bis hostess. be passed into
the ballroom. In all the brilliant crowd
there was only one face be looked for.
one weli-known agurs for the sigh OF
which he yearued.
At last. after wandering through
several rooms. he saw her She was
sitting under = 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 shs.
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 dolsful. Jack.
under the circumstances"
He laughed = little.
MY dear Miss Blansford, DO you
think IL would help matters II / went
about looking like . mute at a fu-
nerAlT'
And pray. my dear Jack" she re-
torted mockinRiy. 'sincs when have I
, become Miss BlansfordY"
since heard the news last night, "
he answered grimiy.
"Oh, very well. II you are going TO
20 and quarrel with your friends just
because you've lost = little money
1T may be = little. but unfortunate.
J ~ II happens to be all I've got. / owe
a good deal besides"
Wstmore rose and held out his hand
. He was fast losing his sslf-control.
II must be OF. came only to say
r good-by TO you."
> Miss Blansford closed her fan with
a snap.
, '.slt down. Jack. at once. and dom
, be an IDIOT"
Taken aback at this sudden and per
|, smptory command. be obeyed.
> "Now, then. what was II you really
/ came to say to msf'
ITO say good-by. and ask you e
? wish me good luck" he answered.
I "What would you have said II thing
! had-had been different1 Shall I tel
: vouY' she whispered. "You yoult
have said. Bessie. I love you AND
now. lust because you're a goose ant
: an idiot, and happen to possess NOR,
. money than know what TO do with
! you would rather die than say foul
: simple little words like that"
= "oh, Bessie"
: "Yea. oh. Bessie" she continued
! mockingiy. ITS always. oh. Bessie.
And yet through sheer obstinacy yol
> are putting poor Bessie to the trouble
Of making a formal proposal for III,
, honor Of your hand in marriage"
wetmore sprang to bis feet
81 won't listen" said be. EFT II no
: fair Of you. Bessie"
"Faif or not. do you think am 60
ing to have my whole life spoiled for
few wretched conventions and
charming dowaRer or twoT
They'd laugh at ron. Bessie. an
say I married you for your money"