The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-01-21
BY OfjENR1
AUTHOR. oF STRLCIIY

hOlStered seats CCnVeUlently ueaFs nR weather.
 "Yes," said she T noticed it was warmer But mustn't take up too much of your time during busi. ness hours. That is." she continued. ,"unless we talk business"
 She addressed her words to Blue Tie with charm. ing smile.
 Every we'll" said he. ''You don't mind my cousin confidential with each other-especiaiy in business matters"
 "oh, mo-" caroled Miss De Crmond. .Td rather he did hear. He knows all about it. anyhow In fact, he's quite a material witness because he was present when you-when 1t happened. thought you might want to talk things over before-well before any action is taken. believe the lawyers say"
 sHave you anything in the way of proposition to make?" asked Black Tie
 Miss De Ormond looked renectively at the neat toe of one of her dull kid pumps fl
 T had proposal made to me-" she said. eff tho proposal sticks it cuts out the proposition. Let's have that settled first"
 Well, as far as-" began Blue Tic
 Excuse me, cousin" interrupted Black Tie, eff you don't mind my cutting in." And then he turned with goodnatured air, toward the lady.
 Now, let's recapitulate bit" he said chesrfully All three of us, besides other mutual acquaint- gether." <
 'rm afraid I'll have to call the birds by another name," said Miss De Ormond.
 All right" responded BlacA Tic, with unimpaired cheer1ulness; suppose say tsQuabs when we talk about the proposal and Iarks when we dis cuss the proposition. You have a quick mind Miss De Ormond. Two months ago some half dozen or us went In motor car for days run into the country we stopped at road house for dinner My cousin proposed marriage to you then and there. He was influenced to do so, of course by the beauty and charm which one can deny that you possess
 T wish had you for press agent, Mr. Car teret," said the beauty, with dazzling smile
 You are on the stage Miss De Ormond" went on Black Tie. You have had, doubtless. many ad- her vN, member too. that we were party of merrymakers on that occasion. There a good many corks pulled That the proposal of marriage made to you by my cousin cannot deny. But hasn't it been your experience that by common consent such things lose their seriousness when viewed in the next days sunlight? Isn't there somethin of a code among good sports'-I use the word in it's best sense-that wipes out each day the follies of the evening previous?"
 "Oh, yes," said Miss De Ormond ar know that very well. And I've always played up to it. But as you seem to be conducting the casewith the si- lent consent of the defendant-In tell you something more. I've got letters from him repeating the pro posal And they're signed, too."
 T understand" said Black Tie gravely 'What's your price for the letters?"
 I'm not cheap one.' said Miss De Ormond ''But had decided to make you rate. You both belong to swell family. We'll if I am on the stage nobody say a word against me truthfully And the money is only secondary consideration It isn't the money was after. IT believed him and-and liked him."
 She cast soft, entrancing glance at Blue Tie from under her long eyelashes.
 "And the price?" went on Black Tie inexorably
 "Ten thousand dollars" said the lady sweetly. < "Or-.
 "Or the fufllment of the engagement to marry"
 T think it is time" interrupted Blue Tie flor me to be allowed to say word or two You and l. cousin, belong to a family that has held it's head pretty high You have been brought up in a sec ton of e.country very different from the where our branch of the family lived. Yet both of are Carterets, even If some of our ways and theories differ You remember 1t is tradition of the fam fly that Carteret failed Yin chivary to lady or failed to keep his woro when it was given"
 Then Blue Tie, with frank decision showing on his countenance, turned to Miss De Ormond.
 Olivia" said he. Ion what date will you marry mel"
 Before she could answer, Black Tie again inter. posed.
 "It is a long journey" said he. from Plymouth Rock to Norfolk Bay. Between the two points we find the changes that nearly three centuries have brought In that time the old order has changed. We no longer burn witches or torture slaves. And to-day we neither spread our cloaks on the mud for ladies to walk over nor treat them to the duckins stool It is the age of common sense adjustment, and proportion. All of us-ladies, gentlemen. men, men, Northerners, Southerners, lords, catiffs. actors, hardware drummers, senator's bod carriers. and noliticians-are coming to better understand ing Chivalry is one of our words that changes it's meaning every day. Family pride is thing of many constructions-it may show itself by main, taining moth-eaten arrogance in 8 cobwebbed Colonial mansion or by the prompt paying of ones debts. |
 "Now. I suppose youiAe had enough of nay mono 1. logue I've learned something of business and ht- tie of life; and 1 somehow believe cousin, that our greatgreat grandfathers, the original Carterets. z would indorse my view of this natter" :.
 Black Tie wheeled around to his desk wrote in check book and tore out the check, the sharp rasp of the perforated leaf making the only sound n the room. He laid the check within easy reach OF a Miss De Ormond's hand. ,C Business is business" said he we live in a 2 business age. There Is my personal check TOT $los 0oo What do you say, Miss De Ormond-wii IL DO orange blossoms cash?"
 Miss De Ormond picked up the check carelessly. folded it indiferenty stuffed 1t into her glove
 "Oh this'n do" she said calmly. T Just thought 4 I'd call and put 1t up to you l guess you people are all right But girl has feelings. you know I've heard one of you was SoutherneT-l wonder which of you 1t is.
 She arose. smiled sweetly, and walked to the door. There with a flash of white teeth and a dip of the