The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-03-21

marry me?'"
she really proposed to you?"
"On the level, and 1 didn't say q
thing. The letter carrier lost his job
right there. Forfear she'd change her
mind before the next mail arrived
leaned. across the table and yelled:
Yes"
I'D gone, you know. Exactly what
then happened?" Wallace asked.
t'She tainted; general excitement;
smelling salts; she slowly came back
to her senses. Then the usual speech:
course although it hurt! Embrace,
kiss, announcement to the dinner par
ty; wild applause. Then somebody
ordered 20 cases Of wine.
And the next thing remember is
old Rankin calling me when you came
here today. What do you think Of all
of t?'
Its terrible! You can't afford to
let it go any further"
81 can't afford to do anything, with
out signing a tab for it," said Broad
way ruefulIy.
You can do something. Haven't
you any get up and go?'"
THAT seems to be all that is left for
me-to get up and go'-as far as pos
sible-unless 1 marry her"
IF you'd go to work you'd have the
makings Of business man.
IF I went to work 1 wouldn't have
the makings Of cigarette"
How do you know? You haven't
tried. I'll get you a job
"Where?''
with my firm, on my recommends
ton"
You'd lose your reputation"
It'll see the guvnor tomorrow. 1 can
get you, probably, five thousand year
| to start with
Five thousand year? How could
I stay here in New York on that?
pay more for this apartment! 1 owe
ten times that much, right nowi"
I've got twenty thousand dollars OF
my own. I'll lend you that"
I'D never be able to pay 1t back"
THAT doesn't make any difference"
Eyes, it does" said Broadway stub
bornly. Even though you loaned me
enough to pay up all I owe, I'd owe
you, wouldn't I? What's the odds
whether I'm in debt to you or to the
other fellow? I'd never get even with
the world that way"
But you mustn't marry her; it isn't
right"
How do you mean?"
Would you do anything so low. and
so contemplate. as to marry a woman
deliberately for her money!"
Broadway shrank q little, then rose
| in self-defense. who says I'm marry
ing her for her money!"
You know you don't love her"
| Broadway answered holly. He felt
that he must answer holly.
81 don't know anything of the kindi
Now, you see here; suppose you were
in trouble. Wouldn't you love any
one who'd come along and help you
out of it?" He sighed. Besides. it's
too late now. The engagements been
announced
Wallace was intensely stubborn. He
would not have this thing. Engage
ments are broken every day In the
week." he argued earnestly.
Broadway made a gesture Of dissent
Nov, you leave it all to me-" said
Wallace soothingly. 'T1l have a talk
with Mrs. Gerard, and I'll guarantee
to prove to her that it's all an utter
impossibility. You needn't enter into
it at all. I'll take the whole thing on
my shoulders, and"
Broadway shook his head emphatic
ally, although regretfully. NO; there
no use, Bob. told you wouldn't lis
ten to any argument against it. My
mind is quite made up, and that's ali
there is to it, He pulled a yellow
/ 10 - hi A
hundred dollars. That's my bank
roll"
Wallace went to him with friendly
warning. You'll lose every friend you
ever had in all the world"
No; 1 won't; people with money
never lose their friends"
81 know one you'll lose," said Wal
lace gravely.
Your"
Eyes; unless you tell me within the
next "a hours that you've reconsid
cred all this rot, and that you're going
to fight things out the way a real mar
should, I'll never speak to you again!
!. "'Bob!" Broadway actually paled.
THAT goes; Is it getting me any
thing-this giving you advice? VIII i
put a dollar In or out OF my poke
whether you marry that old woman o.
: not? You're nothing to nae except 1
2 friend and a pal; but don't want II
5 see you do something you'll regret 70
t all the balance Of your life. I'm SORT.
i you're in trouble, and there isn't any
j thingI won't do TO help you I'll g
!, the limit in everything I've got. But
if you don't give up all idea of tina
marriage. never expect the friendshi
e OF man who has any decency or sell
respect.
That's ali I've got to say. Now. II
be going"
CHAPTER vi.
Broadway hurried to the angry an