The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-10-06

y
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. ]
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-chat'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 a
| few moments.
"The Derby's side show" he said
at last 1--WE come over to get mar
ried, and want you to help me. Will
your"
Can II" asked Lady Maud, evas
lively.
Eyes, you can, and believe there1
be trouble unless you do"
who is she? Do know herr" She
was trying to put off the evil moment
"Oh, yes, you know her quite well
It's Nine. Cordova."
"But she's engaged to Mons. Logo
theti-"
81 don't care. l mean to marry hel
if she marries any one. He shan
have her anyway"
But | cannot deliberately help yo,
to break off her engagement! It's i'm
possible!"
See here" answered Mr.. Van Torn
you know that Greek, and you know
me. Which of us will make the bes
husband for an English girl? That!
what Nine. Cordova is, after all.
put 1t to you. If you were forced t,
choose one of us yourself, which woul,
you take? That's the way to look a
it."
But Miss Dome is rot forced t,
take one of you"
Shes going to be. It's the same
Besides, | said If Won't you answe
me?"
She's in love with Mons. Logo
theti,' said Lady Maud. rather desper
ately.
is she, now? I wonder. don
much think so myself. He's cleve
and he's obstinate, and he's Just mad
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 sh
had to choose, which of us would bt
the best husband for her?-the better
| mean. You taught me to say bet
ter didn't your"
Lady Maud tried to smile
"Of two, yes" she answered. "Yo'
are forcing my hand. my dear friend,
she went on very gravely. You know
heart. If it were possible to imagine
case in which the safety of tt,
world could depend on my choosing
one of you for my husband, you know
very well that | should take yor
though l never was the least little bi
in love with you. any more than 20
ever were with me-
We'll, but if you would, she ought,
argued Mr.. Van Torp. It's for he
own good, and as you're a friend Q
hers, you ought to help her to d
what's good for her. That's only fail
If she doesn't marry me, she's Gel
tain to marry that Greek, so it's
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 you?"
Very much. Her father was my fa
theirs best friend"
81 don't believe in atavism," oil
served the American, but that's neitf
er here nor there. You know wha
you wrote me. Do you believe She
be miserable with Logotheti or not
81 think she WILL" Lady Maud al
swered truthfully. But | may b
wrong"
NO you're right. ! know it. Br
marriage is a gamble anyway, as 70
know better than any one. Are 20
equally sure that she would be mi
cradle with me? Dead sure, | mean
mo. I'm not sure. But that's not
reason"
IT'S first-rate reason. l care fc
that lady, and l want her TO be happ,