Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-01-05
CHAPTER IL.
1NEsr1MARLE roxHAM

$500
~ NE Of Loveland's most easily
detected virtues vas his care
less habit Of telling the truth.
He had never lied or even
fbbed whitley as a small boy. But
Lady Betty Buckley had always main
tanned that this bold truthfulness Of
her Cousins was the result of incon-
siderateness rather than nobility Of
soul.
She said (and she ought to. have
known, as she had been acquainted
with him since she was two and he
eight years old) that he did not bother
to think of polite ibs simply because
the feelings of others were not for him
Of enough Importance to seem worth
saving at the cost of mental effort.
Besides, according to Betty, Val took
an impish delight in shocking people.
Now, in his letter to Betty asking for
introductions he made no attempt to
cover his real intentions with the roses
of pretty fiction.
He let it appear plainly that he
thought his cousin, having visited
America and snatched a millionaire
from the matrimonial grab bag, ought
gladly to help him succeed in the
same game.
'"The wretch" said Betty in the
midst Of reading Loveland's brutally
frank letter to Jim, her American tro-
ply. Il believe he has the impudence
to think l married you for money!
I'd like to shake him and box his silly,
c%onceited ears!"
"They may be silly and conceited,
but they're exactly the shape Of yours.
darling. So l couldn't find it in my
heart to box them. no matter how
much good it might do their owner"
said Jim Marlborough. who had been
Betty's husband for nearly a year and
was joyously watching her triumphs
as a young married woman.
Naturally Betty kissed him for this
speech, as they were at breakfast
alone together, the servants banished.
"Well, anyway we won't give him
the letters" she said when she had
gone back to her own place, not far
away.
won't we?" asked Jim. with a
thoughtful air.
"No, certainly not" returned Betty.
IT like your countrywomen and won't
deliberately let Loveland loose to prey
upon them"
II guess they can take care Of them
selves" said Jim. putting on his Yam
kiest accent
IT don't know. Some Of them might
fall in love with him." suggested Bet
ty doubtfully. Hes awfully good
looking, with a kind of winning. boy
ish way and a voice that's far too
nice to express him. really. One often
feels too lenient with Val, as If he
were one Of ones own pet weaknesses
come alive and walking about"
Gas for his looks. he's more Ii! e you
than your own brother lis" sid Jim
"'eyes. dimples, curly hair and all. So
you wouldn't want me to hate him,
would you? And. as for his voice, it's
occurred to me that maybe it ex.
presses something in his real self
the hidden, self that he and nobody
else knows anything about-the self
he's never had a chance to develop OF
find out because his mother and other
people have spoiled him from his
babyhood."
'eThat's very subtle of you. Jim. as
well as very kind and like you," said
], Betty. 81 wish l could think it's true
as he's my cousin. But, thank good,
ness, I for one never spoiled him.
scratched his face once when I was g
small girl, and I'm glad. I wish il
had left a mark"
1T would have been even a more
honorable scar than the one Soutt
Africa gave him. But / admit he is
rather an unlocked cub at present.
pity the girl who falls in love witt
him as he now is
always was and probably ever viii
be, Loveland without end" finished
Betty f1ippantly. THE cheek of him
expecting me to ask you for letters SC
that he a go over to your country
and do his best to make some nice
American girl miserable for life ant
spend all her money. ! shall punish
him, since I can't do anything worse
by telling him exactly what I thinl
OF him" J.
'erhere are other ways Of Furnishing
him more fitting to the crime per
haps," remarked Jim thoughtfully.
aurhat waysT
Giving him the letters.
.stpiHn..s