Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-08-09


said "But it's Harry Masters or
bust!'
Mr.. Bob Blagdon, the rich widower
had played a waiting game; he knew
very well that beneath her good ma
ture little Miss Blythe had a proud
temper and was to be won by the man
who should make himself indispens-
able to her. She Is an honest girl
he told himself, and she is always
putting herself under obligations to
me, Let her ride down lovers lane
with young Blank or young Dash. she
will not be able to forget that she is
on my favorite mare.
Miss Blythe liked him because she
was used TO him and because he could
talk sense; but she was afraid of him
because she knew he expected her to
marry him some day, and because
she knew other people, including her
own family, expected this of her.
Sometimes she felt ready to take
unto herself all the horses and coun-
try places and automobiles and
yachts, and in a life lived regardless
of expense to bury and forget her
better self; but more often she wished
by one desperate effort to free herself
forever from the ENHANCEMENT.
Mr.. Bob Blagdon was considered a
good fellow. There is no reason to
doubt that he was good husband to
his first wife, and wished to replace
her with little Miss Blythe, not to
supplant her. To his three young
children he was a perfect father.
But when Mister Masters entered
ESQ timidly to the eye, but really SO
masterfully) into little Miss Blythe's
life, she could no longer tolerate the
idea of marrying Mr.. Blagdon. All
in a twinkle she knew that horses
and yachts and great riches could
never make up to her for the loss of
a long, bashful youth with crooked
smile.
Her own mind was made up from
the first; even to going through any
number of awful scenes, with Blagdon:
but as time passed and her attentions
Il shall have to call 1t that to Mis-
ter Masters made no visible progress,
there were times when she was
obliged to think that she would never
marry anybody at all.
One reason for his awful bashful-
ness and silence was that certain peo-
pie had told him 1t was only a ques-
ton of time before little Miss Blythe
would become Mrs. Bob Blagdon.
She's always been fond of him."
they said, and, of course, he can give
her everything worth having So
when he was with her he felt as II
he was with an engaged girl
But what was hidden from Mr. Mas
tiers was presently obvious to Mr..
Blagdon and to others. To man in
love there is no redder danger signal
than a sight of the object of his at
fections sitting contentedly with an
other man and neither of them say
ing as much as boo" to the other.
The first time Blagdon saw them to-
gether he thought; the second time
he felt; the third time he came for
ward graciously smiling.
Don't you ride, Mr.. Masters said
Mr.. Blagdon.
"Of course" said the shy one, blush
ing. But I'm not to do anything
Sorry" said Mr.. Blagdon, "be-
cause I've string of ponies that are
eating their heads off. I'd be delight
ed to mount you"
Miss Blythe looked serenely up.
II never saw such fellow as you,
Bob" said she, for putting other
people under obligations When
think of the weight of my personal
ones l shudder" She smiled inno-
Gently and looked up into his face.
when people can't pay their debts
they have to go through bankruptcy,
don't they? And then their debts all
have to be forgiven"
Mr.. Blagdon felt as II an icy cold
hand had been suddenly laid upon the
most sensitive part of his back; but
his expression underwent no change.
His slow eyes continued to look into
the beautiful, brightly colored face
that was turned UP to him.
every honorable bankrupts," said
he carelessly, always pay what they
can on the dollar"
The next day, there being some
dozens of people almost in earshot,
Mr. Blagdon had an opportunity to
speak to little Miss Blythe. Under
the circumstances, the last thing she
expected was a declaration; they were
in full view of everybody; anybody
might stroll up and interrupt.
Phyllis said he, you have been
looking about you since you were IL.
VIII 1 do?"
ooh, Bob" she protested.
IT have tried to do" said he, not
without a fine ring CT manliness.
Have / made good?"
She smiled bravely and looked as
nochalant as possible; but her heart
was beating heavily.
give liked being good friends-so
much" she said. Don't spoil 1t.
II will make you happy" he said.
HAS 1T never entered your
dear head that some time you must
give me an answer"
She nodded her dear head, for she
was very honest
81 suppose so,'' she said.
"A decision is expected from US"
said he. People are growing tired
of our long backing and filing"
"People! DO they natter"
"They matter great deal; and you
know it."
Eyes, suppose they do. Let me off
for now, Bob. People are looking at
us. Give me two weeks.
shall think about nothing else"
''Thank you," he said. 1.-TWO
weeks. - That will be full
moon. l shall ask all Aiken
to picnic in the woods and
land If your answer is to be my
happiness, why, you shall come up
to me, and say, 'Bob-driye me home,