Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-10-30

tated rublee SO well, though, Of course,
know nothing about It. II 1t were
not an impossiblity, should take It
FOR q real one"
$50 should l." assented Mr.. Van
Torp quietly. It'll make a pretty hat
pin anyway. Shall l have it mounted
for your"
Thanks, awfully, but I think I
should like to keep 1t as It is for a
little while. It's such lovely color,
just as it is. Thank you 50 much!
Do tell me where you got It,"
ooh, we'll, there was a sort of a
traveller came to New York the other
day selling them what they call priv.
ately. guess he must be a Russian
or something. for he has kind of an
off-look of your husband, only he
wears beard and an eyeglass. 1t
must be about the eyes. Maybe the
| forehead. too. He'll most likely turn
up in London one of these days to sell
this invention, or whatever it is."
Lady Maud said nothing to this. but
she took the stone from his hand.
looked at it some time with evident
admiration and then set it down on
its bit of paper. upon a little table
by the end Of the sofa.
eff were you, l wouldn't leave 1t
around much" observed Mr.. Van Torn
carelesslyy Somebody might take a
fame 70 it. The color's attractive.
you see, and 1t looks like real"
ooh, III be very careful of it, never
fear! I can't tell you how much I
like it!" She twisted it up tightly in
its bit of paper rose to her feet, and
put 1t away in her writing table.
It'll be sort of souvenir of the old
Nickel Trust" said her friend. watch.
| ing her with satisfaction.
Have you really sold out all your
interest in it?" she asked, sitting
down again: and now that she re-
turned to the question her tone showed
that she had not yet recovered from
her establishment.
That's what I've done. I always
told you would. when 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"
I "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"
I Rather! Have you thought of any.
thing else?"
She laughed little, but was grave
the next moment, for she knew him
much too we'll 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.
be trouble unless you do"
who is she? Do / know herr" 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.
theft"
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 of her engagement! It's i'm.
possible!" .a.a.-
See here" answered Mr.. Van Torn.
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?"
She's in love with Mons. Logo
theti." said Lady Maud, rather desper-
ately.
'Is she, now? wonder. don't
much think so myself He's clever
and he's obstinate, and he's Just made
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 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 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
a 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-"
Well, but if you would, she ought,
argued Mr.. Van Torp. Its for her
own good. and as you're friend of
hers, you ought to help her to dc
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, 1T appears to me-"
"But can't"