The daily Alaskan., 1907-06-20
A Pool In MatrimOny,
LOriglnaLl

OI us has the means To court ueE PIop rrly. You, having her acquaintance and being the son of a duke, have the best chance. Now. propose that We make up a pool to be yours for the pur- poses of courtship and to be returned to us with, say, 100 per cent Interest after marriage"
 The arrival of Molly Flick, the d0ugh- ter of the head of the firm of Flick x Co.,. one of the largest American meat concerns. was known twelve hours after 1t occurred to every lmpecunious noble fortune hunter iu Paris. The remarks quoted were the result of dispute between several of them as to who should have a free field to win tue prize The proposition was accepted by the Marquis of COurtemache and the rest of the company. Not more than l.2OO francs could be raised by the subscription. but this was handed over to the marquis, who called that very evening on Miss Flick and began to lay siege to her heart
 "How do. marquis" she exclaimed. Awful glud to see your
 "I came. mademOiSelle, tO ask yOu- mother and yourself to go with ne tu the opera"
 Mother. Goody gra 'ious, marquis. Do you suppose l have my mother rrulpsiug around after me? No. sir. Iu go to the opera with you, but n) mother for me"
 But, mademOlsellc, in Paris that would occasion remark"
 "Oh. that's it. Very well we'll taEe mother Wul you go, mammy:'
 "I suppose TIl have to."
 The young man proceeded method lcally During thIs his first call be told Miss Molly of his ancient lineage, wLDd- ing uD with decrlpuon of the chateau of the Courtemachas, built several cen. turfes ago and now 8 ruin. Then, heRv- ing a deep sigh, he said he would love to repair and live In It. Mss Molly lIs- tened attentlyely and asked what lt would cost. The marquis replied that It would require j.oOO,OOO francs or a million Of dollars. whereupon the girl remarked that # that was all she won dcred why he dIdu't make them at once
 The ma. quls after his visit met his friends at the club and reported prog rrss. For a month he devoted hIlsrlI to the hplress. lie not only aorOm. panied her on bcr sightseeing tours Io Versailles. FOntaiueOleuu. Seyrcs aud other curious points In the envlrons or Paris. but secured for her aud her mother Invitations Co the best houses In Paris.
 But at the end Of the month Goston one morning awOse to find In his vest pocket but a single napoleon of the money furnished him. It was uecrs sary that be bring matters to 8 head. Half the napoleon he spent for candy and the other half for flowers. These be sent Miss Flick during the duy. II occurred to him to save few francs for a breakfast the morning atter hls proposal. but 1T be succeeded In win ming the heiress be could make d fur thrr loan from hIs irisuds, and be WAS sure of winning.
 About 9 o'clock In the evening be went to the hotel where the FiIcks 50. fourucd aud sent up his card. While waiting be paced back and forth In a terrible suspense. It seemed an age till he was summoned, though 1t was only ten minutes. Ushered into the apartment used for 8 reception room. he saw standing on table the flowers he had sent md the box Of candy. The box was empty.
 Come in here, marQuis.' called the cheeIy voice uf Miss Molly.
 With visions of a private Doudoir dancing Iu hls head, GastOn entered tue next room He saw no Oue there.
 "Why don't you come iu?" came voice from an adjoining room.
 The marquis dId us he had been biIIrn. Still be saw no cue.
 This room," presently came the voice.
 ~Oh, mademoiselle what Is thIs pret- ty game you are playing! Where are you: Do you call to me from hearenT
 "l hope not ] don't want to go to heaven just yet. I'm in here"
 Again the marquis entered another room. only to be led further. Indeed, the rooms all communicated, and the girl led him ln d circle tjl he stood again where be had started, In. the re ceptiou room. He was very much cha grluod at being forced to play this Juvenile game for the amusement Of Miss Flick, but he remembered that she was barely eighteen, and, If no French girl would have done the same, there was no French girl with an enOr- nous fortune that he could marry. SO be kept hls temper and wore a perpet- uaI smile. thinking that after an 1t was very drOn.
 You're getting warm" came the girls voice as he went hunting through the room.
 "Yery warm"
 Baking hot"
 He went to a curtain hanging be- fore a recess. He knew Miss Flick --... 1,.EFrE fh LT.tr- gtrgr,r,. +Tt,ru.