Charlevoix county herald., 1913-11-22


getically at her handsome hus band,
''it is custpmary-as | thought
everybody knew-for girls to bring
their husbands marriage por-
ton. How much are you going to
settle on meW
"How much what? Money.
You've always had your $4,000 a
year allowance, and I've never
kicked when you overdrew il. But
now you're married, | suppose
your husband"
"But, Mr.. Conover,n broke in the
prince, WITH more eagerness than
Caleb had ever before seen on
his placid exterior, II think you
fail to understand. I've
What are you driving at?7 snap
ped Conover. do you mean you
can supporc your wife,"
"Papd . cried Blanche, in dis
uess "for once in your life try
not to be coarse. 1t isn't ques-
ton of support. 1t is the GUS
TOM
"For father TO pay a man TO
marry his girl? | can't see ii my
self, though now you speak about
il, 1 seem 10 have read or heard
something of the Sort, Well if it's
TIE custom. suppose Il goes
how much?"
The prince shivereo, very gently,
very daintily.
III it affects you that way,
growled Caleb, III wouldn't "a
brought up the subject if l was
you. Say, Blanche, if you're too
timid 10 make a suggestion, how'll
this strike you? I'll double your
present allowance-S50,000 a year,
eh?r
"Impossible I" gasped d'Antri.
Not on your life!" retorted Ca
leb. 81 could double that and
never feel it. Don't you worry a
bout me not being able
"But | cannot consent to-
"Who's asked you to? It's to be
her cash, amt it? Not yours. l
don't think you come in on this
scene at all, Prince. 1t seems to
be up TO me and Blanche. And"
con, you1l never understand!
cried Blanche in despair. "Fol
the daughter of a man of your
means, and the sociai position |
am to occupy as Princess d'Antri,
my dot should be at least
'Hold on" interposed CALEB. 81
think l begin to see. II
You don't see,'' contradicted his
daug liter, pettishly; an have to
explain. It"
NO, you won't. if / couldn't
understand things without wait
ing TO have 'em explained, I'd
still be braking at $50 a month.
AS l take it, this prince party
meets you in Yurrup, hears your
father is the Caleb Conover-an
old fool of an American with
pretty daughter to place on the
nobility market-and you make
your bid. You marry him and he's
so sure of his ground he don't
even hold out for an ante-wed-
ding bonus. He chases over here
with you, and when he don't find
the dowry, or whatever else
you call it, waiting for him at
the dock, he makes bold to ring
the cash register"
The prince was on his feet.
VI cannot consent, sir, to listen
to such"
"Oh, yes, you can. I've heard of
=.
they were all counts. / didn't
but / supposed the Job carried an
income with it. 1t seems you're
just in the count class, after all.
The kind of man that loafs about
Iurrup living on the name of some
ancestor who got his title by
acting as hired man to his king or
a mi 90
two-for-a-quarter country. The
sort of man that does nothing well
enough to keep him in pocket
money. Then some lookout makes
the high sign, Heiress in sight T.
and"
Blanche burst into tears. Her
husband threw his arm about her
shoulders in assiduous, theatrical
fashion, while Caleb sat gnawing
his unlighted cigar and grimly
cycling the couple.
"There, there, carissima mia !"
soothed d'Antri, "your father
knows no better. In this barbar-
Gus country of his there are no
leisure classes. L"
"You bet there are!' snorted
Caleb. "Only, here We call 'em
tramps. And we give 'em thirty
days instead of our daughters.
Here, stop that damned snivelling,
Blanche! You know how l hate
it. I'm stung all right, and it's
too late to squeal. The only
time there's any use in crying
over split milk is when there's a
soft-hearted milkman cruising a
round within hearing distance.
And from where | sit, | don't see
any such rushing to my help.
You'll get your dot all right. Just
as you knew you would before
you put up tina. whimper.
Well fix up the details when I've
got more time on my hands.
"Only, / want you and me and
this prince-feller of yours to
understand each other, clear. I'm
letting myself be bled for a GER
tain sum, because I've crowed so
loud about your being a princess
that | can't back down now with
out raising a laugh, and without
spelling all I've planned to get
by this marriage. Besides, I'm go
ing to run for governor, ana l
don't Want anv a0apdal mr. drap,a-