The Sauk Centre herald., 1909-09-09

her Establishment.
That's what I've done. I always
told you / would, when I was ready.
Why do you look SO surprised. Would
you rather ] hadn't-
Lady Maud shook her head and her
voice rippled deliciously as she an
swered:
Il can hardly imagine you without
the Nickel Trust that's all, What in
the world shall you do with your
self"
"Oh, various kinds of things. 1
think I'll get married, for one Then
I'll take a rest and sort of look
around. Maybe something will turn
up. I've concluded to win the Derby
next year-that's something anyway"
Rather! Have you thought of any
thing else?"
She laughed little, but was grave
the next moment, for she knew him
much too well to believe that he had
taken such step out of caprice, or a
mere fancy for change He noticed
the grave look and was silent for
few moments.
"The Derby's a side show" he said
at last I've come over to get mar
ried, and I want you to help me. VIII
you?"
Can II" asked Lady Maud, evas-
lively.
Yes, you can, and l believe there'n
be trouble unless you do"
"Whn ig ehpp n h.
was trying to put of the evil moment
"Oh, yes, you know her quite well
It's Nine. Cordova"
"But she's engaged to Mons. Logo
theti-"
Il don't care. / mean to marry her
if she marries any one. He shan't
have her anyway"
But / cannot deliberately help you
to break on her engagement! It's im-
possible!"
See here" answered Mr. Van Torp.
You know that Greek, and you know
me. Which of US will make the best
husband for an English girl? That's
what Nine. Cordova is, after all.
put it to you. If you were forced to
choose one Of US yourself, which would
you take? That's the way to look at
it."
But Miss Dome is not forced to
take one of you"
She's going to be- It's the same.
Besides, said If Won't you answer
me?"
She's in love with Mons. Logo
theti." said Lady Maud, rather desper.
ately.
'Is she, now? I wonder. I don't
much think SO myself. He's clever
and he's obstinate, and he's just maGe
her think she's in love, that's ALL Any.
how, that's not an answer to my ques.
ton. Other things being alike. if shs
had to choose, which of US would be
the best husband for her?-the better.
l mean. You taught me to say bet
ter didn't you?"
Lady Maud tried to smile.
"Of two, yes" she answered. You
are forcing my hand, my dear friend, |"
she went on very gravely. you know
very well that trust you with all my
heart. If it were possible to imagine
case in which the safety of the
world could depend on my choosing
one of you for my husband, you know
very well that / should take you,
though / never was the least little bit
in love with you, any more than you
ever were with me-"
We'll, but if you would, she ought" "
argued Mr.. Van Torp. It's for her
own good, and as you're friend OF
hers, you ought to help her to do
what's good for her. That's only fair.
If she doesn't marry me, she's GER
tain to marry that Greek, so it's a
forced choice, it appears to me-"
''But ] can't"
She's a nice girl, isn't she?"
"Yes, very"
And you like her, don't your
Very much. Her father was my ia
ther's best friend"
Il don't believe in atavism," OBJ
served the American, ''but that's neith-
er here nor there. You know what
you wrote me. Do you believe she'll
be miserable with Logotheti or not?''
Il think she wSll," Lady Maud an
swered truthfully. But I may be
wrong"
mo; you're right / know it. But
marriage is gamble anyway, as you
know better than any one. Are you
equally sure that she would be mis-
cradle with me? Dead sure, mean. "
"No I'm not sure But that's not q
reason"
Its a frst-rate reason. / care for
that lady, and ] want her to be happy,