Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-04-12
"A Matrimonial
Disentanglernent

L, will you honor me by be-
oming my wife,"
' I'D Jocelyn removed his hands
..,m his pockets and stood up to re-
u ,,ra the verdict, looking about as
. .'nfortable as a soldier in the face
ds firing squad.
THEW we're standing in the con-
.,.v.tory of the Squires house at
S.rnort under a frond of large
..Im tree that dropped over ro-
TsDtc rockery. They were entirely
.Ime Yet each of them was aware
h.t tbe entire setting Of the scene
70, for them; that the musicians.
,,ying the latest waltz in the big
nlIToom beyond, the palms that
oprsbadowed them, the splendid
i,sneries and the beeswaxed floors
ware actually, a portion of the trap
NAT had been baited for them. And
mtside hundred eyes were watch
bg for their appearance.
Evelyn Squires looked in Jocelyn's
eVes with amusement.
You speak almost sincerely" she
sid flushing a little with vexation.
a am as serious as / 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
Csln with one another. Perhaps this
will be our last opportunity. 1t is,
| think, admitted that you do not
love me-"
Z esteem you more than any lady
| have ever known" Lord Jocelyn
answered.
Evelyn inclined her head. "And
that, l do not love you," she con-
tnued 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-
ton" Evelyn went on remorselessly.
Z am the daughter of a multi-mil-
iOnaire. From childhood / have been
trained with one object in view-to
make successful marriage is
to say, to exchange my wealth for
title. If he be young, passably
goodlooking, and clean of life, SO
much the better for me. But these
are not essentials. A title is.
I was educated at the most ex-
pensVe schools and under the best
S0Fernesses and professors. At the
sse 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
. nave an ancient name and one that
las never been furnished. It is my
eu'y to repay the money that has
OeVa spent on me by obedience to
ny parents wish rather than by
SulKlng my responsibilities"
but /" Lord Jocelyn protested.
? les, now for you, Lord Jocelyn.
iUa are one of an ancient house
Suleh' like so many in these days,
aSS come to financial ruin. You owe
u your family to make a wealthy
ISlriage. You were sent to America
y your father, the fourth viscount,
W mat purpose. You knew me; I
S' then, naturally, the first objec-
we 1t is fair barter, unalloyed by
sTlunent. If you claim me as your
@iue IN that frank spirit I will ac-
W.T. you in the same way"
IVfu Jocelyn bowed; then raised
-'elyns hand to his lips.
h. nope in time," he said, "that
VIC may come to u.s."
81, cue suddenly grew pale and be-
~ ~ Trembling; his words affected her
N rI'le her own had left her unmoved.
,,~ su placing her hand upon his
H., Sne suffered him to lead her
Jaw" ~ ene drawing room. And, all the
n 4aAuer OF that evening, some sub
rT.S ssASe told each of the. that the
s ~ knew, that even now looks
sna. words were being interchanged
s,.i as tnem, that her parents, the
Sn ~aiSA King and his stout wife, were
NJ @ receiving the congratulations
(lelr associates.
,o, IN the next day the news was
ssn. 'tly announced. Lord Jocelyn
$50 as 10 town and sent a brief cable
sTent las ia'her announcing tne
Inv. snail need couple of thousand
s,ot. .Or preliminary expenses" he
tsnso, ~ letter. Everything is ar
rsst s'u, ana the dowry will more than
Sopi,esan l furnish Doublewith Manor.
sma .ss mas lent us his yacht for the
sOs moon The lady is charming
Tbon LINK we shall both be happy"
h H. leaning back In his armchair
aysn ,S modest apartment on Madison
po ue he said to himself:
ans0 S can it be that duty some
a. -, .ufns decent fellows into muck
bstrotS1i .ed up the photograph of his
aD ~ u so that the light shone
eso, ~ IT. Then he hit his table q
~ uing thump with his fist.
haks sfant," he cried, "that I may
w " her happy"