Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-08-22

dressed girls settled down near them.
The hat Of one blew of and she jump
ed to her feet In pursuit 1t landed at
Maud's feet. and 40 she arose to re-
turn II, she and the owner came face
to face. The girl laughed harshly.
caught up the hat, and without .
word Of thanks. went back to her com.
panion.
That's the gifted Miss Gault who
pounds the plano at the Seabreeze.
with some obscure nobody. We really
must go over there some night and
listen to the cat concert" she observ.
ed sarcastically.
Mr.. Clifford glanced at Maud.
He knew that she must have heard.
yet her expression was n Of utter
Indifference.
I'm so sorry, Miss Gault." he
said.
1T really doesn't matter. I assure
you" returned Maud. Her father ID
the most corrupt politician In our
state. My father. when governor.
fought him and his interests for years.
He ruined dad at last. Poor man. he
died penniless. All he was able to
leave me was q stony bit Of farmland.
while this man Warsh and his daugh.
ter are rolling In wealth. No wonder
| she 10 bitter--their money never pro-
cured a social position for her."
The young man exclaimed In sur.
prise: why. you must be Governor
Gault's daughter! admired him moro
than any nan In public life. 1t 10
an honor to meet his daughter. He
put up a brave fght to protect his
state from Warsh. and 1t will be re.
membered by the people for many .
long day"
They shook hands and straightway
forgot all about the incident In dis
cussing the estimable qualities OF the
late governor.
Mr.. Clifford stayed all summer. and
before October came he and Maud
were engaged to be married.
Il will not always DO poor. nor will
assured her.
Maud glanced at him proudly. In
spite Of his questionable garments.
Mr.. Clifford's bearing and appearance
was that Of a man who Is bound to
meet with success.
"As though that makes any differ;
ence." she whispered.
Summer drifted into autumn. and
gradually the merry guests were de.
parting to their homes. For Maud
and Mr.. Clifford those days were
%cloudless. Miss Warsh kept her word.
and moro than ono Maud discerned
her hooking face among the diners.
One evening her harsh tones were au.
dible all over the dining room as she
rustled into 1t.
"Oh. girls. Robert Merrell Just ar.
rived. He came In the most stunning
motor imaginable. saw him when
! entered the hotel q minute ago. He's
at the desk now signing the regis
ter"
B%reathless excitement followed this
announcement. Robert Merrill was
one Of Americas foremost capitalists.
Maud sat On the little Platform pri.
vately specializing as to the appear.
ance OF the famous man. When 1t was
time for her solo. she straiyhtway for
got all about him.
Suddenly she was conscious Of u
buzz Of conversation, which died down
to an expectant pause. She glanced
up and saw two gentlemen enter the
dining Dom The elder she recog-
nized at once ae Robert Merrell. He
was ~conversing with . companion In
an HnCttnnoto tptnenoknA rnononr
And the other man val John Clifford!
1t was fortunate for Maud that her
solo ended Just then. for she saw her
fiance and Mr.. Merrsll coming towards
her.
This Is my future wife," announced
Mr.. Clifford proudly.
The great Merrell held out his hand
and as Maud placed her Own In 1t.
drew her towards him and kissed her
cheek.
Il nm most happy to meet you, my
dear" ls said simply. For years this
absurd boy OF mine has been afraid
that his wealth would influence a girl
In his favor. ! have always wished
him to marry young. Also. am
pleased to have him love Gault's
girl"
His wealth." stammered Maud.
Merrell looked from her to Clifford
in surprise.
i've never told her. father" the
young man observed. Turning to
Maud he added. james Clifford is my
pen-name. am writing q book on
The Worth Of Social Position Al
James Merrell ! am received with
open arms. As James Clifford, 10