The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1905-11-17
Can you bear to be poor--with fneT
demanded Hon. Charles In impassioned


piled Miss Gladys Trelwyn, da.S!ng
swift, shy glance at the aanhtied young
man beside her,
THE little fool!" exclaimed the
countess.
"Hush!" said the duke. Lex us not
interrupt this Arcadian love scene
Phyllis, Strephon--and the goats! II Is
delightful"
Hon. Charles heaved a deep sigh OF
relief, His arm was already around
Miss Trelwyn's slender waist, With
swift gesture he drew her still closer TO
him. and, bending his face to hers
adroitly imprinted kiss on the young
ladys lips,
GLADYS, you are a little darling" he
calculated.
OH" said the countess. Did you
hear that"
All" said the duke enylously DID
you see IT,"
Then you will promise TO be my wife,
dear?" went on Hon. Charles, ardently,
Yes, Charlie, promise"
an spite OF all opposition" he asked,
a touch of anxiety in his voice
I'm spite Of opposition" she cooed,
with her head upon his shoulder.
The duke stepped back on to the gravel
and began to whistle tune. Then he adj
vsnced along the path with an agrees
sively noisy step, the countess following
him. till. as It were quite by accident,
they deyiated into the entrance TO the
grotlo.
GLADYS. my love. will escort you
to the hotel, said the duke, blandly !
too have something wish to consult
you about" and he boamed upon Hon
Charles as he spoke.
The countess followed obedlently by
Charlie. preceded them from the grotlo
The duke, with Miss Trelwyn. fingered
some PAGES behind.
II arr afraid. began the countess with
freezing satire, that We disturbed you
at rather an inopportune time, my dear
Charles.
You did," said Charlie. unabashcd.
Charlie" demanded the countess
fixing an eye Of uncomprising sternnes'
upon the young man, may ask wha'
YOU were doing In that place with Mist
Trelwyn"
you may" said Charlie. pulling Out
Ais cigarette case, Il was proposing tC
her"
Proposing to her!" repeated th'
| o., a,paufg
Charlie nodded.
And she has accepted me, he added
placidly.
The countess stared at him moment
in silence Then she said slowly:
Charlie, you are fool"
"Ycs!" drawled Charlie, lighting hii
cigarette.
do you not know that In your posi-
ton It is imperative-absolutely i'm
perative--that you should marry cir
with plenty Of money"
she reflection has occurred TO me, hi
observed.
"And for that reason you must breal
OF this absurd engagement before Il
goes any further"
"On the contrary said Charlie, 1T il
--partly-for that reason that | pro
posed TO Miss Trelwyn."
Again the countess stared al him, thi!
time In bcwildorment
what do you mean" she exclaimed
Charlie drew a telegram deliberately
from his pocket.
II mean an hour ago received this
telegram frOm-cr-my confidential adj
wiser in town" he remarked.
"A telegram" the countess ejacu
lated
Which informs me. went on Charlie
calmly that the sudden death Of 8
cousin a comparatively young man
puts Miss Trelwyn In possession of hall
million OF money"
The countess gasped
you see. said Charlie. 81 have beer
careful to keep myself well Informed
my dear aunt"
Half a million of money" said tn,
countess
Exactly"
| MS p"No "h N"''''ig NlhSi'"' ''iil'
plexion on the matter" sighed tn,
countess
so thought" agreed Charlie. tran
GULLY.
Does the duke know Of this cIrCum
stance" inquired the countess.
"Of course" said Charlie "TIe knew
this morning. but he doesn't know thai
know you know, he chuckled.
Tho countess drew deep breath
My dear Charles" she observed. adj
miringly, you are not such fool aftel
| ALL"