Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1911-03-09
MR.. BLUM IS
INVITED
By Lawrence Alfred Clay
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Literary Press.)

deceased stockbroker, was supposed
to be worth one million dollars in
cash. She was worth just one-fifth of
that sum. Between what people sup
posed and what was fact, Mrs. Den
ham was placed in an embarrassing po-
sition. There were times when she
was really in need of money.
Mrs. Denham had a niece. She
hadn't legally adopted her, but the
niece was one of the family, and was
told almost every other day that she
was to inherit what the aunt might
leave at her death. That is, she would
inherit If she was nice and good and
married the man the aunt should Sc
lect for her. Otherwise a garnet and
starvation must stare her in the face.
1t was not curious that Miss Ethel
Lynn, the niece, fell In love at nine
teen with one of the very chaps her
aunt held In adherence and was eter-
nally lecturing her about and seeking
to guard her from.
Earl Manning had a very slim patri-
mony: but he was hopeful and ambi-
tious, and at twenty-three the world
was before him. He would have been
very foolish not to fall in love with
handsome girl who cared more for the
man than the money.
Miss Ethel had been very sly in this
love affair. Her aunt's opinions neces-
STATED 1t. The engagement was to go
on and on and on until Earl had &C.
cumulated cool million, and then
they would appear before the aunt and
ask her consent. Meanwhile, in pub
lie, they must act as II they didn't
care snap for each other.
This was how Mr.. Blum came into
the fray Mr.. Blum was a bachelor
Of forty. He was short and pudgy.
he was without hair on the top Of his
head He wore four diamond rings on
the fingers of his right hand, and
three on the fingers Of his left. He
wore other diamonds, with here and
there ruby.
Mr.. Blum sometimes squeezed into
society. He was supposed to be a
| SoAnSAB OhN 40 q vi ldCI uC
had loaned society money on its jewel.
ry so often that society couldn't exact
ly turn him out of doors. 1t was even
whispered In society that Mr.. Blum
was great catch. but at the same
time he had very poor luck getting
caught.
Mrs. Denham was introduced to Mr.
Blum. Mr.. Blum was introduced to
Miss Ethel Lynn. In three minutes
Mr.. Blum had made up his mind to
be 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 was very wise
In her. 1t was much better than tears,
threats, protestations and a garnet and
crust.
July came. and Mrs. Denham moved
down to her manor house on the
sound. She would have gone else
where, but there was Blum. He was
to be invited down with few others
for month for reasons so obvious
that they stick out like knots on a
log.
The question now was where was
Earl Manning? He had a cousin liv-
Ing within mile of Mrs Denham's
country place, and it is easy to en-
list cousin--in service. Mrs. Den
ham and Mr.. Manning had met, but
they had not been mutually attracted.
She would have seen him start for
Texas before inviting him to the
manor
Ethel was poor little girl of nine
teen in the hands Of an ambitious
aunt, who was looking at the money
side, and of Mr.. Blum, who was look
Ing at all sides. One reason he want
ed a young wife and handsome one
was to show her off at the seventy
five-cent table d'hote dinner where he
took his meals. There must be plot
ting and scheming, and In this the
lover could give little aid. 1t was a
miserable time until bright idea
came. Then. at stolen interview,
Miss Ethel said:
Earl. your brother has a motor
boat and have a sailboat"
Yes"
MY aunt has never been In one.
Neither has Mr.. Blum. am going
to take them out. 1t may be tomor-
row. and 1t may not be for three days.
It will be when the wind is in the east
and the morning cloudy. 1t will be for
you to have your boat ready and be on
the watch"
If you take Blum out 1t will en-
courage him." replied the Jealous
young man.
"Will it? That's all young man
knows"
He'll feel romantic and talk about
the whispering waves and all that"
"Oh, he will ?"
"And-and-"
And you do just as tell you.
When you see my boat in distress you
a