The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-16
TIE EVENING STORY
The Title of Countess.

Tn1rIY=Wn64 ne belongs 10 Three VI
four clubs-when he is liberal with
his money and is Familiarity called
Fred by everyone, how is anyone going
to take him seriously? 1t can't be
done. He can not get credit for be-
ing more than half in earnest. Such
man was Fred Nevins. and now and
then he found it embarrassing not to
be credited with seriousness
When he dropped in to see the
widow Dareforth one afternoon and Of
fer her his hand and heart, it was
rather embarrassing to receive the re-
TITS matter you just happened to
think Of"
Pom my soul, but have loved you
For thirty seconds!'
For whole year"
poor mani How you must nave
thrashed around nights"
But. won't you believe me?"
mo, sir. Even if L did, L should
say no."
but what's the trouble -
Mr.. Nevins, I married one lah-de-
dab man. and [ don't want another
If [ marry again, it won't be a sissy.
You've got money and you've got
brains, and you are throwing them
both away. You are nonentlty out
side your circle
"Oh, it's that I'm not in a profess
sion or working at trade 2? he
queried.
away. Just being a sissy of man.
You may find some woman to marry
YOU: but 1 shan't credit her with
good sense.
much do 70" laughed Fred. Come
to think of it. ought to seek a job at
omething-
perhaps! Say. now. I'm going to
be different I'm going to make new
start. Let's see what can go INTO;
The detective business IS not pad.
The widow laughed
And the headwaiter at restau-
rant makes fifty dollars a week.
She laughed again
would you rather see me IN one
of those occupations than doing noth-
III" = certainly should Then I'd change
nv mind about your being sissy
"Goodt You shall change iti
Meanwhile, drop in occasionally ana
renew your proposal can always ap-
praciate a bit of humor-
s.Great Scottsl She calls it humor. .
groaned the bachelor as he left the
house Il must have her or die, and |
vet she won't see anything but humor
Count Luigi called the next day. He
had been rather dilatory in getting |
around to it as he had had consider |
a Bile trouble in ascertaining the wldoW |
financial standing. When the report !
came that she was worth about $1,000 |
600 he ordered his auto around and |
commanded his chauffeur to break all /
speed laws.
Count Luigi was an Italian count he
owned castles in Italy. Some were |
built on peaks and craigs, that ne |
might hear the wind moan around the |
gables: and some were on the seashore,
where the roar of the mad waters could |
be heard as count sat IN his library |
and smoked and slipped a cocktail
Count Luigi wanted a wife, but not 4
rich one The poorer she was the bet
ter. She would then appreciate MS
tens of millions far more. OF course. If
he should chance to be loved by rich
woman he would have to make the best
of it but never, never. would he con-
sent to use one single silver OF her
money
minute call The widow Dareforth was
charned-not too much SO. but moder-
ateIy charmed. She had always want
ed to live in an Italian castle and have
bananas right at hand Besides. italy
is the place where the pure olive oil
comes from after it has been shipped
over there by the Cotton Seed Trust
Besides again, it would be so nice to
have a husband who could swear by
simply Struggling his shoulders
Yes the count left a pleasant i'm
preston behind him, and four days
later, when he invited Mrs. Dareforth
to dine with him at a restaurant, chap
eroned by her aunt, the invitation was
accepted
Mr.. Fred Nevins met them at the
door and conducted them to a table in
the most ceremonious way He had got
a place as headwaiter- That is, he was
to have a week to make gooG in He
did not smile The widow was 50 as
founded that she couldn't have smiled
for cash down. The aunt, who also
knew Fred, had to swallow an olive or
perish The only one maintaining
demeanor was the count
and he snapped his fingers at the head
waiter and said:
Fellow, see that my orders are at
tended to with promptnessi''
At that dinner the count grew conf
Dental. He was in America to buy the
right of a patent flying machine for a
million dollars-one he could sell to his
government for five million. He didn't
need the four million. but he WAS a
charita BILE man. He would devote the
profits of the deal to orphan asylums.
He was praised and hattered, and on
the way out to the taxi he dared to
press the Widows hand. At her door
he dared to press it again.
1t was at his third call at the house
that with a simple shrug Of the right
shoulder he let the widow know that he
was in love with her. Then a shrug of
the left warned her that a proposal