The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1912-04-11
A Matrimonial
Disentanglement

Miss Evelyn" said Lord Richard
Jocelyn. will you honor me by be-
coming my wife?"
Lord Jocelyn removed his hands
from his pockets and stood up to re-
ceive the verdict, looking about as
comfortable as a soldier in the face
of q firing squad.
They were standing in the con-
'servatory of the Squires house at
Newport, under a frond of a large
palm tree that dropped over a ro-
mantle rockery. They were entirely
alone. Yet each of them was aware
that the entire setting of the scene
WIS for them; that the musicians,
playing the latest waltz in the big
ballroom beyond, the palms that
yovershadowed them, the splendid
draperies and the beeswaxed floors
were, actually, a portion of the trap
that had been baited for them. And
outside a hundred eyes were watch
ing for their appearance.
Evelyn Squires looked in Jocelyn's
eyes with amusement.
You speak almost sincerely" she
said, flushing alittle with vexation.
Il am as serious as I ever allow
myself to be-" Lord Jocelyn answered.
"Sit down." said Evelyn Squires.
Before I answer you, Lord Jocelyn,
and thank you for the honor you
propose to confer on me, let US be
plain with n another. Perhaps this
will be u last opportunity. 1t is,
1 think, admitted that you do not
love me-"
II esteem you more than any lady
l have ever KNOWN" Lord Jocelyn
answered.
Evelyn inclined her head. "And
that l do not love you," she con
tinued. 1T is, then, a transaction
purely commercial on either side"
Lord Jocelyn was silent, He did
not know what to say, and SO took
refuge in the sanctuary of the wise
man. .
Let me recount to you my posi-.
tion," Evelyn went on r~emorse1essly.
Il am the daughter of a multi-mil-
lionaire. From childhood I have been
trained with one object in view-to
make a successful marriage-that is
to say, to exchange my wealth for
a title. If he be young, passably
good-looking, and clean of life, SO
much the better for me. But these
r not essentials. A title is.
Il was educated at the most ex-
pensive schools and under the best
governesses and professors. At the
age of twenty I was taken through
Europe on exhibition. In London you
met me and admired me. My parents
saw in you a possible husband. You
has never been furnished. 1t is my
duty to repay the money that has
been spent on me by obedience to
my parents wish rather than by
Sinking my responsibilities"
But /" Lord Jocelyn protested.
i Yes, now for you, Lord Jocelyn.
q You are n Of an ancient house
which, like SO many in these days,
has come to financial ruin. You owe
it to your family to make a wealthy
marriage. You were sent to America
by your father, the fourth viscount,
for that purpose. You knew me; l
was, then, naturally, the first objec-
tive. 1t is a fair barter, unalloyed by
sentiment. If you claim me as your
bride in that frank spirit I will &C
cept you in the same way"
Lord Jocelyn bowed; then raised
Evelyn's hand to his lips.
II hope in time," he said. "that
love may come to u.s."
She suddenly grew pale and be-
gan trembling; his words affected her
where her own had left her unmoved.
Then, placing her hand upon his
arm, she suffered him to lead her
into the drawing And, all the
remainder Of that evening, some sub
tie sense told each of the. that the
Yuests knew, that even now looks
and words were being interchanged
among them, that her parents, the
varnish king and his stout wife, were
busily receiving the congratulations
of their associates.
On the next day the news was
formally announced. Lord Jocelyn
went to town and sent a brief cable
dispatch to his father announcing the
event.
II shall need a couple of thousand
more for preliminary expenses" he
wrote in a letter. Everything is ar
ranged, and the dowry will more than
re6t and furnish Doublewith Manor.
Squires has lent us his yacht for the
honeymoon. The lady is charming
and l think we shall both be happy"
" Then, leaning back in his armchair
' in his modest apartment on Madison
Avenue, he said to himself:
How can it be that duty some
times turns decent fellows into muck
ers and cads?"
He tilted up the photograph of his
betrothed 30 that the light shone
full on it. Then he hit his table q
;resounding thump with his fist.
God grant," he cried, that I may
make her happy"
MY present to you, Richard" said