The daily Alaskan., 1915-06-14

it were fated that he should come to the family title he would see that any | thing wanted in England should be mine. He further stated that his tiancee was aware of his financial condition | and had proposed that their engage ment be not regularly announced until shortly before their marriage. After the wedding the bride would be liberal until such time as he succeeded to the title, which, if he lived long enough, he regarded as a certainty. To which l replied that in the meantime 1 would 1 furnish funds which 1t would not be proper for che lady to furnish or for him to accept from her.
 
 have just come from a visit to Anita. She sent for me. she said, to as- sure herself that I placed no blame upon her. She could not put on paper what she could say verbally. Of course 1 must understand that marriage among us who are lifted by our posses sions so far above ordinary persons must always be matter for serious consideration. The prizes our wealth l places within our grasp are not to be de- | spised Among the lofty and powerful the choice of a partner for life has al- ways been circumsCribed and usually matter decided by the parents of the contracting parties. told her that she would be very unwise not to seize upon any such ! prize as came within her reach and | that there was no blame whatever at tachcd to giving up one whom she had never even accepted. Notwithstanding the practical view she took of the mat ter, she appeared q trlhe disappointed | that l did not show more grief at los | ing her.
 q have no doubt" she said in con clusion, that you will find one much more worthy of you and one who will make you far happier than l."
 "I shall find no one with either of these elements" l replied. But l shall bear my loss without adding to your embarrassment
 
 A month has passed since l parted with Anita. She came to New York yesterday and wrote me a note desir' ing me to call upon her. went to sec her and found her in an uncomfort' able state of mind. She did not tell me at once what troubled her, but be- gan 10 ask me lot of questions.
 How did you become acquainted with Mir Chichester"
 My friend CheSbOrough wrote me from Rome concerning him."
 Did you take pains to learn whether or no he was what he purported to be-"
 "No; took CheSborough's word for it. dld not and do not now doubt that he is the second son of an earl, the heir to the title having one foot in the grave
 q have learned that the title is an empty one, the earl being without enough income for himself, without granting one to a younger son. Where do you suppose MT. Chichester obtain ed the money on which to move in our Sct?"
 was on the horns of a dilemma. The one horn was lie; the other was the position of one who had done q rival a favor and had taken advantage of the act with the lady in question. l avoided falling on either of these horns in this wise:
 That question:" I said, "I do not feel called upon to answer. l am not Mir. Chichcstrr's financial secretary"
 "You introduced him to me. And now when l am in doubt about him you decline to help me in a matter involving the most important step a woman can take"
 "I introduced MT. Chichester without any expectation that you would be- come engaged to him."
 You mean without expecting that he would supplant you.' To this l made no reply.
 "Why is it." she continued, that you men always hang together? l have no woman friend who would treat a rival as you have treated Ar Chiches- ter"
 Tt is necessary for us men to stand by one another. We are so faulty that at any failure to do so we would fall like stack of card houses"
 "Nonscnse! But to return to this question of where Mir Chichester got the money he has been spending so lavishly. Do you mean to tell me that you do not knowW
 Again l was cornered made no reply.
 You men are queer creatures" she continued. If pressed too hard you will lie for one another. 1 will not push you too far for fear you will do so now. It is you who furnished MT. l Chichester the means to pose as my | fance."
 There was no need to deny the state ment, for she would not have made 1t unless positive of it.
 How did you learn that?" asked. "A cousin of mine is employed in a