The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1905-03-11

" ACK wETMORE ruefuliy check
al ed the long line Of figures before
him
1T Is a smash-utterly and absolute
~ smash. Well, It's no good whining
lin done for
Jack gave sigh. for there was
something more than financial loss TIM
pending, and be knew IT,
Throughout the seven and twenty
years Of his life. he had been aecus-
toned 10 regard himself, and had been
regarded by others. as a rich mans son,
Wetmore 4 wetmOre had always been
held above suspicion. As he sat In
his comfortably furnished rooms be
could hear the cries OF the newsboys
with the special edition Of the evening
papers:
Further details OF the wetmore fail.
ure"
lie rose from the table and pushed
the papers YEARLY from him stroll.
ing into the dressing room adjoining
he exchanged his smoking jacket for
dress coat and arranged his tie with
critical air.
"if il j. 10 BE- my last appearance"
he said at least Ill make II as out
wardly respectable a. | can"
Then he frowned and looked
thoughtfnlly at the lire. his hands an
consciously moving toward the mantle
piece till Il touched a massive silver
frame containing portrait, q recent
one evidently. OF a particularly hand
some girl.
Its no good. Bessle-no good. my
dear / dare not speak to you now.
I'm done for
Twenty minutes later the butler at
Blansrords announced Mr.. wetmore.
and after a few words with Mrs
Blansford, his hostess, he passed into
the ballroom. In ali the brilliant crowd
there was only one face be looked for.
one we'll known figure for the Sigh Of
which he yearned
| At last. after wandering through
several rooms, he saw her. She was
sitting under 4 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 10 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 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. lack.
under the circumstances"
lie laughed a little.
MY dear Miss Blansford. do you
think It would help matters II went
about looking like a mute at q fu.
neral?"
And pray. my dear Jack she re.
torted mockinRly. since when have |
become Miss BlausfordT
since 1 heard the news last night. .
he answered grlmly.
"Oh. very well. II you are going "a
20 and quarrel with your friends Just
because you've lost a little money.
1T may be a little, but unfortunate
ly 1t happens to be all I've got. owe
good deal besides
Wetmore rose and held out his hand
He was fast losing his self-control
II must be OF. came only to say
good-by to you"
Miss Blansford closed her fan with
a snap.
sit down. Jack. at once. aud dom
} be an IDIOT"
Taken aback NJ this sudden and per
emptory command. he obeyed
Now. then. what was It you reallj
came to say to mef'
ITO say good.by. and ask yon Il
wish me good luck" be answered.
. what would you have said II thing
: had-had been dlfferent7 Shall I tel
your she whispered you wouls
have said. Bessie, love you. AM
now. lust because you're a goose ant
an idiot. and I happen TO possess NOR,
money than I know what to do with
you would rather die than say fou
simple little words i illikS1s--t that. -
"Oh. Bessie"
Yes. oh. Bessie she continued
mockingiy. ITS always. oh. Bessie
And yet through sheer obstlnacy yoi
are putting poor Bessie TO the troubl
/. of making a formal proposal for tn
I honor of your hand in marriage"
wetmore sprang to his feet.
II won't llsten." said be. at IS no
fair OF yon, Bessie"
Fair or not. do you think am 20
ing to have my whole life spoiled for
few wretched conventions and
charming dowager or twof'
They'd laugh at you. Bessie. an
! say l married you for your money"