The Irish standard., 1909-09-11

66ll
"oh. various kinds Of things. I
think I'll get married. for one. Then
I'll take 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 a
few moments "a
THE Derby's a side show" he said
at last. I've come over to get mar.
ried. and want you to help me. Will
your" -
Can 1i"~ asked Lady Maud, evas.
lively.
Eyes, you can, and believe there'll
be trouble unless you do"
Who is she? Do, know her." She
was trying to put of the evil moment.
"Oh, yes, you know her quite we'll.
It's Nine, Cordova."
But she's engaged to. Mons. Logo
theti-"
Il don't care. I mean to marry her
II she marries any one. He shan't
have her anyway"
But cannot deliberately help you
to break off her engagement! It's i'm.
possible!"
See here" answered Mr.. Van Tcrp
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. I
put 1t 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?"
shes in love with Mons. Logo
theti." said Lady Maud, rather desper-
ately.
rs she, now? I wonder. don't
much think 30 myself. He's clever
and he's obstinate, and he's Just made
her think"she's inriove, that all. Any
how, that's not an answer to my ques.
stton. Other things being alike. ii she
had to choose, which of us would be
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. "You
are forcing my hand, my dear friend"
she went on very gravely. you know
very we'll 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 we'll that I 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. TITS 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.
II she doesn't marry me, she's GER
tain to marry that Greek, so it's q
forced choice, 1t appears to me"
But I can't"
"she's nice girl, isn't she?"
Eyes, very"
"And you like her, don't you?"
Every much. Her father was my 70.
Tiers best friend" -,
II don't believe in atavism," OBJ
served the American, "but that's Meth
or here nor there. You know what
you wrote me. Do you believe she'll
be miserable with Logotheti or mott"
II think she WILL" 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, l mean"
mo, I'm not sure. But that's not .
reason"
ITS frst-rate reason. l care for
that lady. and I want her to be happy,
~. g 7 z J :