The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-11-14
PUT TO MONEY TEST
BY CAROLINE kRAUsE.

Young Stacey walked into the par
lor after the manner of one who had
frequently been there before, deposit.
ed his box of candy on the table, snap
ped his fingers at the pet dog, smiled
beamingly on Miss Becker and sat
down.
"Eugenia," he said, eff I had one
million dollars would you marry me?"
The young woman looked startled,
but recovered herself. you haven't
it," she said, as though that settled
the case.
stranger things have happened"
declared young Stacey. "Other men
have had unknown uncles die in Aus
tralia or Alaska and leave them vast
wealth. Why am I different from 9TH
er men? Why should YOU deny me
an unknown uncle?"
Jimmy Stacey!" exclaimed the
young woman, d%oubtfully. "Have you
really-did you-have you shonestly
got an unknown uncle"
II don't see why I shouldn't have
said young Stacey in ali injured tone.
Il don't see why you shouldn't think
it would be SO remarkable. 1t doesn't
take any particular amount of brains
to have relatives. That isn't what I'm
interested in, though. What I want to
know is whether you'd marry ME if
had a fortune left me-"
1.-THE ideal"
well, would you? The last time
you declined my heart and hand it
was on the score that we couldn't live
on my salary. If had a million
now
"Of course" said Miss Becker, cit
would make a difference"
"Eugenia!" young Stacey cried.
"That you should be mercenary and
what is worse-openly glory in it!
What are girls coming to nowadays?
Men used to be loved for themselves
alone, but now a fellow has to sign
and swear to an agreement to provide
so many tailor suits and party dresses
and so much pocket money before
they will even consent to place him
on the waiting list! I thought you
were Different"
I'm not mercenary," insisted the
young woman II just have common
sense. I'm not going to starve to
death with any man, and have him
hate me because I can't greet him at
dinner time with a smile and mani.
cured hands and a dressMp dress!
Men are SO inconsistent, you know!
They have a lurking idea that any
woman who is truly feminine should
be able to scrub the kitchen floor,
cook dinner I'VE a hot stove, answer
the bell and the phone and polish Tie
silver all at once, and yet greet he.
husband at the front door looking 6
though she was On her way to All ex
tremely fashionable afternoon tca:"
IF you cared about me-" sal
young Stacey. grimly, you wouldn'
feel that way!'
"That's all you know about it," re.
clared Miss Becker. mo, you sit rieh:
over there where you are! Now, tel
me, honestly-have you inherited a
m%illion?"
Would you marry me if 1 hado"
Il might as we'll be honest" sighei
Miss Becker. 81 would. Only
wouldn't. because you'd say that l wa:
~mercenary."
"You would be, too," insisted youn
Stacey, in an injured tone. "But I'd
take you!"
Men certainly are foolish" muse.
the young omar 9" do Hike you
Jimmy. I'm sorry that you unknown
uncle hasn't died"
How unfeeling!" commented youno
Stacey. I've M doubt he enjoyc'
life just as much as we do. Eugenja
I'm awfully unhappy because you
won't say yes. I don't blame you fo1
turning me down On that salary.
knew I'd no business to ask you, but
! couldn't help it. l don't want you
to marry me because I have a million
but because you love me-"
"But you haven't got a million!'
cried Miss Becker in an exasperatei
tone, the more intense because She
was on the verge OF tears. "It ISM
fair TO-
"Eugenia," said young Stacey, com
ing close to her, II admit that l have
MT a million. My unknown uncles arr
w~retchedly healthy-they never die
When they do the town authorities US
ually trace me and send me the bill
for funeral expenses. But I've had
jump in salary at the Office. I'm hear
of the department now. Do you thinl
we'd starye on twenty a week?"
Jimmy" said Miss Becker from hi,
coat collar, somehow I don't care
bit that it isn't a million! I'm SO fool
ishly happy!"