The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-23
Mr.. Blum is Invited
BY LAWRENCE ALFRED CLAY.

Copyright. 1910. by Associated Literary Press)
stockbroker Supposed to be worth million
dollars In cash She was worth just one-nfth OF that
fact Mrs. Denham placed in embarrassing
position, There were times when she was really in
Mrs Denham had niece. She hadn't legally
and told almost every other day she
inherit what the aunt might leave at her death That
married the man the aunt should select for hsr
otherwise garrett and starvation must stare her in
the face,
1t not curious that Miss Ethel Lynn. the niece.
fell in love at nineteen with of the chaps her
aunt held in adherence and was eternally lecturng
her about and seeking to guard her from.
world before him. He would been very
cared more for the than the money.
Miss Ethel had been very sly in this love affair.
was to go on and on and on until Earl had accumu-
lated cool million and they would appear before the
aunt and ask her Meanwhile, in public they
must act II they didn't a snap each other.
This was how Mr. Blum came into the fray. Mr..
Blum was bachelor OF forty. He was short and
pudgy. He without hair the top of his head
He wore four diamond rings the fingers Of his right
hand and three the fingers of his left. lie
other diamonds. with here and there a ruby
Mr. Blum sometimes squeezed into society. He
supposed to be banker but as matter of fact ne
had loaned society money its jeweFy often that
was whispered In society that Mr.. Blum
great catch, but at the same time he had poor
Mrs. Denham introduced Mr. Blum. Mr.
Blum was introduced TO Miss Ethel Lynn. In three
/
winner. In half that time Miss Ethel had made up
her mind to detest him. Within four weeks. backed
by the good aunt, Mr.. Blum proposed. The young
lady announced herself too young to know her own
mind. and begged for time. This very wise IN
her 1t much better than tears. threats pro-
testatons. and garnet and a crust
! July and Mrs Denham moved down to her
house the sound She would have gone
elsewhere. but there was Blum He was to be invited
down for obvious that they stick like
knots a log
The question now now was where was Earl Manning.
He had cousin living within mile OF Mrs Denham 3
country place and II is easy to enlist cousin In ser
they had not been mutually attracted She would
have him start for Texas before inviting him to
Ethel a poor little girl of nineteen In the hands
of an ambitious aunt, who was looking at the money
One he wanted young wife and hand
some TO show her off at the seventy hve-eent
| table dhote dinner where he took his meals. There
must be plotting and schemins. and in this the orer
could give little aid 1t was miserable time until
Miss Ethel said:
a sailboat"
! My aunt has never been In one Neither has Mr.
Blum / going take them 1t may be to-
morrow, and it may not be for three days 1t will
cloudy. 1t viii be for you to have your boat ready
and be watch
III You take Blum ont It xii! encourage him,
piled the Jealous young man
Hell feel romantic and talk about the whispering
waves Yves and nd all all tn that
And you do Just as tell you When you see my
big hurry want the situation to strike
in on my aunt and MI Blum. The more it strikes in
He apparently did see something He also put his
arm around it and kissed IT.
Mr. Blum would be delighted go sailing It was
thing he had anticipated for thirty long years. To
to listen to the turmoil Of the watersyes yes yesi
Mrs. Denham at first refused TO GO She knew that
Mr. Blum brought in the Of the thing. and
Miss Ethel limited that something might happen. that
she gave a reluctant consent chaperon.
On the third morning after the plotters had plotted
the wind due east with promise of strengthen
waterside Mrs. Denham suggested picnic on solid
ground and Mr. Blum favored getting livery rig for
Youth and innocence prevailed, however, After
the first Ave minutes Mrs Denham said there was
nothing about sailing babe, and Mr. Blum
laughed and rubbed his hands and said life on the
he sang My Grandfather's Clock" Mrs pennam
she should go sailing every day.
At the PSYCHOLOGICAL moment the boat which had
been sailing TO and fro almost landlocked
bay headed for the open sound and the tumblins
In five minutes, Mrs. penham down and out
In ten after many sicky grins and timd suggestions
left hand to be ashore. A moment later he added all
four his right hand Then the craft preached to
and began wailow in the trough OF the and
Mr. Blum was soaked with the flying spray until he
shouted Mrs Denham that she fool to
to say that If he lost his life his brother sam would
see that she spent the rest of her days in dungeon
M Blum gentleman He swore before
ladies' Mr.. Blum selfish. When he a motor
boat making out to them he stood up and waved his
hand and shouted: -- ---e-=1---
The motor seemed to have hard time getting
alongside, and two or three times the young man
doning the rescue. Mrs Denham stretched out her
and sohbss so and appsaea Mr. Blum raised hi'
Miss Ethel worked her way to the bow OF the boat
an To aas and the was
was lowed back to safety
:, Mrs Denham stepped ashore to demand an abjec,
| apology of Mr.. Blum. Mr. Blum stepped ashore IA