The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1914-01-15
to him through thirtee. rsnsr.

Warfield as sort of manager for any.
thing. irrespective Of finances. that she
could not manage herself. He had
made all the arrangements for her trip
He had heard not word from hel
since her departure till one day he re.
ceived q cablegram: do please come to
Rome at once. ! am all tangled up"
Though she did not know 1t. Mar.
guerite Ashton had been an object of
interest to Warteld from the time she
was i've years old and used to climb
on his lap to listen TO stories be
would tell her. She was to him the
daughter Of the man who had given
him his opportunity for his life's work.
He was busy at the time he received
the cablegram. and it was difficult for
him to leave Chicago. Nevertheless he
sailed at once for Naples and in a few
hours after his arrival in Italy was in
Rome.
well. Margie, what is it," he asked
as soon as the two had settled down
to business.
I'LL tell you. l can't imagine how
1t happened that so many men should
have fallen in love with me at once.
suppose it's the Italian air or some
thing. but it's SO. And the worst of
it is that none Of them will be re-
fused. There's Prince Bolozzi. I've
told him again and again that I can't
love him. and he threatens to jump into
the Tiber. Baron Becker says il 1
won't go with him to his estates in
Westphalia as his wife his life will
hereafter be one dark cloud. Earl Bid.
dleton pleaded his cause 50 pathetical.
~ that couldn't help saying Yes
I've half promised the marquis. and. in
deed. there isn't one Of them I'm not
partly committed to-
Il see no way out Of 1t for you."
said Wartield. but to 60 into be-
trothal bankruptcy. However. Ill
make inquiries about these gentlemen
and report to you If any Of them bears
a good reputation. II so and you wish
to marry him I'll help you out with
the others-which as your guardian l
have right to do-and you can be
welded to the man of your choice
whenever you like"
"There isn't any of them the man Of
my choice"
well. then. we'll have to get rid of
the lott
How can that be done without the
prince jumping into the Tiber and the
marquis
We'll have them locked up till they
get over it."
"Oh. my goodness gracious! could
never look them In the face again."
1T would be just as we'll that you
shouldn't. However. my dear Margie.
having brought me over here to get
you out Of your difficulty. perhaps
you'd better leave the matter to me-"
That's just what I'd like-that is, IL
you don't mind such an awful job"
1T won't be so hard for me as It
would for you. Don't see any OF them
till tomorrow afternoon. Then Ill Ok
it all mp 80 that you won't have any
more trouble. Write each Of them q
note asking him to call here tomorrow
at 8 p. m. to receive your final an.
swer."
"All at once? Great heavens. I
couldn't do that: They would kill one
another"
Warfield persisted and went away
with a note for each Of the suitors,
which he posted at once.
The next afternoon Warfield called
before the others. He exacted a prom.
Use from Marguerite that she would
bear him out in any statement he
might make. though he was obliged to
assure her that nothing harsh should
be said to any of them.
The prince arrived at ten minutes be.
fore the appointed hour and was re-
quired to wait below. The marquis
came next and the baron next. All
were in the hotel at 3. and a few min
utes later oil received a summons to
Miss Ashton's private parlor. Scarcely
had one entered before there was a rap
at the door and another stood at the
opening. There was no time for con-
versaton since they came so near to.
gether. Some Of them recognized 9th
ers as rivals. and they glared mutually.
When they had all been admitted War
field. who was formally introduced to
them. said:
Gentlemen. Miss Ashton has desir.
ed me to announce to you that, having
been honored by proposition Of mar.
rage from each and all of you, she
has considered your propositions and
come to conclusion"
The speaker paused and cleared his
throat. while the visitors were visibly
agitated with expectancy.
Miss Ashton looked from her adyo.
cate to the men. whom she expected
to either kill one another or commit.
suicide II refused. like frightened
bird. Warfield proceeded:
Having carefully weighed the mat
ter in her mind. Miss Ashton has de-
cided to bestow her hand on
Every head was craned forward.
every eye and ear open.
Myself"
There was rumbling Of voices sim.
liar to that accompanying an earth.
quake. In another moment warield
turned toward Marguerite and asked: