The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1909-12-30

circumstances compelled Marjorie
Hollis to earn her living, and against
these circumstances her a~ristocratic
and artistic soul waged constant re-
bellion. Her family and her acquaint-
ances generally regarded her as a
spoiled child, troubled with extrava-
CANT tastes and a lack of practical
sense. On her side, she felt that she
was not understood nor properly ap-
preciated-until she met Carter Dill
lington.
Like herself, MI. Dillington was poor
and had literary aspirations, and Mar
jorie felt that in him she had at last
found a sympathetic fellow-mortal.
He accepted special invitations to
the house, but rarely called of his own
accord, appearing content to ride
home with her in the evening. He
was excessively reserved-that was
n of his peculiarities-so that not
withstanding the increasing familiarity
Of the acquaintanceship, Marjorie
knew no more of his personal affairs
at the end of nine months than she
did during the first week.
There was one other subject on
which he was equally reticent, and
that was the discussion regarding the
rhyme for Rachel" The remarkable
offer In connection with this matter
was a subject of unending curiosity
and discussion in literary circles; but
Carter Dillington. pointedly avoided
every allusion to it. To Marjorie, on
the contrary, it was one Of alluring in
terest. !.
She hesitated a long time before
venturing to speak to Mr.. ellington
about it. His peculiar aversion to the
whole matter embarrassed her. The
mere mention of the name rachel"
disturbed him, and her occasiona. ef-
forts to lead the conversation around
to the subject were promptly frus-
trated.
Finally, however, she decided to ap-
peal to him for help. Only one more
week remained, and she beheld her
dreams of wealth fading into the dull
reality Of drudgery. So, as he was
about to take his departure after a
short call on Christmas eve, she said
suddenly: IF a person we're to find a
rhyme for Rachel it would make him
famous, wouldn't it?"
81 suppose it would" he answered
dryly.
"And it would make him rich?"
ooh, yes" Then IN the same breath
he abruptly changed the conversation
Perhaps, Miss Hollis, it may inter
est you to know that I expect in the
next week or two to come into posses
sion of a small fortune, and I hope
then to be married." and holding out
his hand he bade Marjorie good night.
Good night" she responded me-
chanically; and as the door closed she
staggered into the parlor, and, throw
ing herself upon the sofa, burst into a
torrent Of passionate tears.
Suddenly her sobbings ceased. She
sat up, bewildered, startled. In the
midst of the turmoil of her troubled
spirit there had burst upon her
without warning, without thought-a
rhyme for RACHEL"
Two days later Marjorie Hollis was
IN Washington; and on the morning of
December ~ she walked into the Of
fee of Dunbury & Bordeau and quietly
announced to those two gentlemen
that she had come to claim tbs $780,
900 for a rhyme for Rachel"
For a moment the two men stared
ut her without uttering a. sound.
Mr.. Dunbury was the first to find
his voice. "Impossible!" he eiacu-
lated. Then noticing the sudden flush
upon the girls face he checked him
self. pardon me, my dear young
lady! I did not mean to doubt your
word; but you have astonished us be.
yond measure. Let me explain" aud
he placed his chair beside hers.