The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1912-08-23

was pain that ne was sincere In his
opinion, she allowed It to pass. Their
talk dristed to lighter subjects. and
before long the evening was over. The
young mans name was James Cliff.
ford. and he was an author. he
said.
A frienoship sprang up between
them which proved . source Of great
pleasure. Maud tactfully declined Mr..
Clifford's simple Invitations, vowing
that she preferred the beach to all In.
door amussments. The real reason
was that she knew he was poor and
could not AFFORD even q slight sum.
Ono day they were sitting ON the
beach chatting when two fashionably
dressed girls settled down near them.
The hat Of one blew OF and she jump
ed to her feet in pursuit. It landed at
Mauds feet. and a. she arose to re-
turn 1t. she and the owner came face
to face. The girl laughed harshly,
caught up the hat, and without q
word Of thanks. went back to her COM
panion.
That's the gifted Miss Gault who
pounds the piano at the Seabreeze.
with some obscure nobody. We really
must 60 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 one Of utter
indifference.
I'm SO sorry. Miss Gault." he
said.
1T really doesn't matter, assure
you," returned Maud. Her father is
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 . stony bit Of farmland,
while this man Warsh and his daugh.
ter are rolling|a wealth. No wonder
she 10 bitter-their money never pro-
cured . social position for her."
The young man exclaimed In sur.
prise: why. you must be Governor
Gaults daughter! admired him more
than any man In public life. 1t Is
an honor to meet his daughter. He
put up q brave fight to protect his
state from Warsh. and 1t will be re-
membered by the people for many Q
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 be poor, nor will
my wife ever repent her choice" he
assured her.
Maud glanced at him proudly. In
spite Of his Questionable garments.
Mr.. Cliford's bearing and appearance
was that Of . man who Is bound to
meet with success.
AS though that makes any differ.
ence," she whispered.
Summer drifted into autumn, and
gradually tho merry guests were de-
parting to their homes. For Maud
and Mr.. Clifford those days were
cloudless. Miss Warsh kept her word.
and more than once Maud discerned
her hooking face among the diners.
One evening her harsh tones were au-
dibls all over the dining room as she
rustled into it.
"Oh. girls. Robert Merrell Just ar.
Ia In, h.
motor imaginable. / saw him when
entered the hotel q minute ago. He's
at the desk now signing tho regis.
ter"
Breathless excitement followed this
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 straightway for.
got all about him.
Suddenly she was conscious of q
buzz OF conversation, which died down
10 an expectant pause. She glanced
up and saw two gentlemen enter the
lining room. The elder she recog-
nized at once as Robert Merrell. He
vas conversing with q companion In
IN affectionate. interested manner.
And the other man was John Clifford!
1t was fortunate for Maud that her
solo ended Just then, for she saw her
lance and Mr.. Merrell coming towards
,er.
This Is my future wife" announced |
Mr.. Clifford proudly.
The great Merrell held out his hand |
md as Maud placed her own in 1t,
lrew her towards him and kissed her
heck.
Il am most happy to meet you, my
lear" he said simply. For years this
Ibsurd boy OF mine has been afraid
hat his wealth would influence q girl
n his favor. / have always wished
lin to marry young. Also. / am
'leased to have him love Gault's
,irl."
"His wealth." stammered Maud.
Merrell looked from her to Clifford