The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-01-23
OUR SHORT STORY PACE
BY O3]ENR1
AUTHOR Of STRICTLY
BILSINF


YES" said she. u noticed 1t was warmer. But 1
mustn't take up too much Of your time during busi-
hours. That is" she continued. unless
talk business"
She addressed her words to Blue Tie with q charm
ing smile.
Very WELL" said he. 'You don't mind my cousin
confidential with each otherNespecislly in business
matters"
oh. no." caroled Miss De Ormond. "a rather
he did hear He knows all about it. anyhow In
fact he's quite material witness because he was
present when you-when it happened l thought
you might want to talk things over before-well
before any action is taken, believe the lawyers
say"
Have you anything in the way Of proposition
to maker" asked Black Tie
Miss De Ormond looked rehectyely at the neat
toe of one OF her dull kid pumps.
Il had proposal made to me-" she said. IF the
proposal sticks it cuts out the propostion Let's
have that settled first"
well. as far as" began Blue Tie
Excuse me. cousin. interrupted Black Tie. IF
you don't mind my cutting in" And then he turned.
with a goodnatured air. toward the lady.
Now. let's recapitulate Bit" he said cheerfully
'All three Of us. besides other mutual acquaint
ances have been out On a good many larks to-
gether"
I'm afraid I'll have to can the birds by another
name" said Miss De Ormond.
"An right responded Black Tie, with unimpaired
cheerfulness; suppose We say squads when We
talk about the proposal and Iarks when we dis
cuss the proposition You have quick mind, Miss
De Ormond Two months ago some half a dozen
u
country. We stopped at a 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 no one can deny that
you possess
Il wish l had you for q press agent Mr. Car
teret." said the beauty. with a dazzling smile.
You are on the stage. Miss De Ormond." went
on Black Tie. You have had. doubtless. many ad
mirers and perhaps other proposals. You must re-
member too. that We were party of merrymakers
on that occasion. There were a good many corks
,lloA rhok%
you by my cousin We 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
code among good sports the word in its
best sense-that wipes out each day the follies of
the evening previous?"
very we'll And I've always played up to it But
you seem to be conducting the case-wth the ST.
lent consent OF the defendant-I tell you something
more I've got letters from him repeating the pro-
posaL And they're signed, too"
Il understand" said Black Tie gravely. whats
your price for the letters?"
I'm cheap one" said Miss De Ormond
But had decided to make you a rate You both
belong to swell family Well. IL l am on the
stage nobody can say word against me truthfully
And the money is only secondary consideration
1t isn't the money was after. IL believed him
and-and liked him"
She cast soft, enhancing glance at Blue Tie
from under her long eyelashes.
"And the price?" went on Black Tie inexorably
+ "Ten thousand dollars" said the lady sweetly.
+ Cor"
{ "or the fulnlment of the engagement to marry"
Il think 1t Is time" interrupted Blue Tie. for
me to be allowed to say a word or two. You and l.
cousin. belong to a family that has held head
pretty high. You have been brought up In q
ton Of the country very different from the where
our branch Of the family lived. Yet both Of
Carterets. even II some Of our ways and theories
differ. You remember it is a tradition Of the fam
lily that Carteret failed in chvalry to lady
failed to keep his word when it 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.
1T 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 cloaks 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. Northerners. Southerners. lords caitins.
actors. hardware drummers. senator's bod carriers.
and politicians-are coming to a better understand
ing. Chivalry is one OF our words that changes its
meaning every day. Family pride is thing CT
many constructions-it may show itself by main
tanning a moth-eaten arrogance In cobwebbed
Colonial mansion or by the prompt paying OF ones
debts.
Now. I suppose you've had enough Of my mono
logue. I've learned something of business and lit
tie of life; and l somehow believe cousin, that
Observation-Disclosures. the original Carterets.
would indorse my view of this matter"
Black Tie wheeled around to his desk, wrote In
check book and tore out the check. the sharp rasp
of tie perforated leaf making the only sound in
the room He laid the check within easy reach Of
Miss De Ormonds hand
Business is business" said he. we live In .
business age. There is my personal check for w.
900. What do you say. Miss De Ormond-wiu 1t %
orange blossoms or cash?"
Miss De Ormond picked up the check carelessly.
folded 1t indferently. and stuffed it into her glove
"Oh thisu do" she said calmly. Il just thought
I'd call and put 1t up to you. ! guess you people
are all right But girl has feelings. you know
I've heard one Of you was Southerner-l WONDER
which one of you 1t Is.
c,ha ..oeo srnilod sxeeflx and vaIIed 10 the door