El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-20
Bought and Paid For
The Great New York and London
Successes.
by George BrOadhurst.
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.

Robert Stafford, a New York million
aire, meets Virginia Blaine, telephone
operator and stenographer. While
taking dictation in his apartments Vir-
ginia is treated as a social equal. On
reaching home she confides in her
sister Fanny, and the two girls dis
cuss the possibility of a marriage The
following day Mr.. Stafford asks Vir-
ginia to dine with him at his Riverside
drive apartment, bring Fanny and
James Gilley, Fannie's fiance,
along as ehaperons. The trio
arrive at the Stafford home, and
are made welcome by a Japanese ser
want James breaks a beautiful peach
blow vase and they are discussing it
when Mr.. Stafford enters.
CHAPTER VI.
nth just a tinge of gray about
w his temples, with broad should
ers, tapering waist and a court
" manner, Robert Stafford seemed to
Fanny and Jimmy a man any woman
would be glad to call husband. His
eyes and mouth were particularly ex-
pressive and determined, yet tender and
sympathetic. To Virginia he looked
every inch a mana big man, a man
of the world, straight forward, clean,
upright.
There was a cordial smile on his
face as he approached Virginia He
shook her hand and asked in his usual
joviaI mannerl
Well, how are you? I am sorry I
am late. Oku explained, didn't hep
Perfectly" answered Virginia He
took good care of u.s.
This, I presume, is your sister" he
remarked, turning from Virginia to
Fanny, whose embarrassment was
Virginia smoothed over the awk-
ward situation by introducing her
'Fm pleased to meet you, Miss
Blaine" said the millionaire, bowling
SAnd this is Mr.. Giley." said vir-
ginia, Indicating James, who had been
cycling Stafford with an expression of
envy.
Stafford held out his hand and gave
Jimmy a grip that made the little ship
ping clerk vince
How do you do, Mr. Gilley?"
How are you" rejoined Jimmy, in
a tone of perfect equality. There
was something about Jimmy that
seemed to amuSe Stafford and ne smiled
broadly as he noticed his air of self
Importance.
Apologizing for keeping them wait
ing so, long, Stafford asked them how
they liked his rooms, what they
thought of his art treasures, and re-
lated the history of several of them
I'm particularly fond of this peach
blow vase he explained, going to the
mantel and taking it down
why, it is broken oku must be
''oku," Virginia had begun to say,
determined to reveal the truth, when
Jimmy interrupted
I took it down to look at it and
dropped it, he said But of course,
I'll pay for it"
"Oh. not at all; it really doesn't mat
ter" laughed Stafford The idea of a
a chi 1Ta Of RI
pay for a $4,000 peachblow vase
amused him.
This little incident afforded Stafford
a preteXt for telling Fanny and Jimmy
of the rare art souvenirs they would
find in an adjoining room, and without
seeming to do SO, he guided them into
the other room. He was then alone
What a beautiful home you have"
she exclaimed.
But this is not my home Miss Blaine.
This is merely the place where I live"
He advanced to her, and, leaning over
her shoulder, said softly, almost whis-
pering in her ear:
No place is home without with
Virginia blushed and turned the sub
How glorious it must be-" she went
on, ito have all these things to have
the power you have, to live in this city
of big things and do big things among
big men,"
YES" he assented, but I haven't
everything I wish for"
Miss Blaine he whispered, tender
" and earnestly, will you make il pos
sible for me to have all that wish for?
VIII you make a home for me? viii
But if do not love you, Mr.. Stat
ford?"
But you will learn to love me-" he
told her There is nothing you can
desire that you shall not have"
NO, no, l cannot" she said hurried
Come, Miss .BIaine-virgfnia-
His words sounded to her like music.
Suddenly she felt his hand close upon
hers: Gently, but firmly, he drew her
to him.
Marry me. Virginia. and I'll make
you love me-
Like a timid child. frightened and
helpless, she trembled under his en-
brace. Her head fell back, and he
leaned forward until his lips almost
touched hers She felt peculiar safe
ty in his arms, he seemed so strong
and yet so tender and gentle.
ford. must have time IT to- !" +b mi S9'ai-
The entrance Of Jimmy and Fanny
interrupted her. They exchanged |
glances of mingled merriment and sat
isfaction as they beheld Virginia in
Stafford's arms.
"Excus-a, pleas-dinner is served"
announced the Japanese.
come let US sit down., said Stat |
ford, and Oku rolled back the dining |
room doors.
Standing erect, a smile of victory on
his lips, Stafford turned to Virginia, |
and raising his wine glass in the air, |
said:
I propose a toast-a toast to the
brider'
ITO the bride?' exclaimed Fanny and /
Jimmy
''To the future Mrs. Stafford" con-
tinued the host And in the droOp of /
Virginia's head, the color in her cheeks |
and the muteness of her lips there was |
consent.
(To be continued.)
III n III |