The central record., 1912-12-13
PUT TO MONEY TEST
BY CAROLINE KRAUSE.

iOuuS oldCSJ WdihcU lAlO tAS pal
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 upcles die in Aus
tralia or Alaska and leave them vast
wealth. Why am 1 different from 9TH
er men? Why should you deny me
an unknown uncle?"
Jimmy Stacey," exclaimed the
young woman, doubtfully. Have you
really-did you-have you honestly
got an unknown uncle"
Il don't see why l shouldn't have,
said young Stacey in an 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 Tn
interested in, though. What 1 want to
know is whether you'd marry me if
had a fortune left me-"
"The ideal"
well, would you? The last time
was on the score that we couldn't live
en- my salary. If l had million
now"
"Of course" said Miss Becker, "it
would make 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 sigE
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 hin
on the waiting list! l thought yor
were different"
"I'm not mercenary." insisted the
young woman Il just have common
sense. I'm not going to starve t.
death with any man, and have hin
hate me because l can't greet him a
dinner time with a smile and mani
cured hands and a dress-up dress
Men are so inconsistent, you know
They have a lurking idea that an!
woman who Is truly feminine shoulC
be able to scrub the kitchen floor
cook dinner over a hot stove, answe
the bell and the phone and polish tn,
| silver all at once, and yet greet he
| husband at the front door looking a.
though she was on her way to an eX
| tremely fashionable afternoon teal"
"If you cared about me-" saiC
young Stacey. grimly, you wouldn'
feel that way!"
That's all you know about it," re
clared Miss Becker. mo, you sit righ
over there where you are! Now, tel
me, honestly-have you inherited
million?"
Would you marry me if had?"
81 might as we'll be honest sighe,
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 l.
take you!"
Men certainly are foolish" muse
the young woman. Il do Hike you
Jimmy. I'm sorry that you unknow,
uncle hasn't died"
| How unfeeling!" commented youn
Stacey. 'Ive no doubt he enjoye
life just as much as we do. Eugenia
I'm awfully unhappy because yo
won't say yes. l don't blame you 70
turning me down on that salary.
knew Id no business to ask you, bu
l couldn't help it. l don't want yo
to marry me because have a millior
but because you love me-"
"But you haven't got a million!
cried Miss Becker in an eXasperate
tone, the more intense because sh
was on the verge of tears. 'It ism
fair to"
"Eugenia," said young Stacey, con
ing close to her, 81 admit that hav,
MT million. My unknown uncles ar
wretchedly healthy-they never die
When they do the town authorities III
ually trace me and send me the bi
for funeral expenses. But I've had
jump in salary at the office. I'm hea
of the department now. Do you thin
we'd starve on twenty a week?"
Jimmy" said Miss Becker from hi
coat collar, somehow l don't care
bit that it isn't a million! I'm so foo
ishly happyi"