Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1915-04-29

replied that in the meantime would
furnish funds which it would not be
proper for the lady to furnish or for
him to accept from her.
|
l have just come from visit to
| Anita. She sent for me, she said to as
sure herself that | placed no blame
upon her. She could not put on paper
what she could say verbally. OF course
must understand that marriage
among us who are lifted by our posses
sions so far above ordinary persons
must always be a matter for serious
consideration. The prizes our wealth
places within our grasp are not to be de-
| spised. Among the lofty and powerful
the choice of 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
tached to giving up one whom she had
never even accepted. Notwithstanding
the practical view she took Of the mat
ter, she appeared trifle disappointed
that did not show more grief at los
ing her.
II 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."
II shall find no one with either of
these elements" I replied. But
shall bear my loss without adding to
your embarrassment"
A month has passed since parted
with Anita. She came to New York
yesterday and wrote me note desir-
ing me to call upon her. went to
see her and found her in an uncomfort-
able state Of mind. She did not tell
me at once what troubled her, but be-
gan to ask me lot Of questions.
"How did you become acquainted
with Mr.. 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?'
mo: took Chesborough's word for
lit. | did 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
II have learned that the title is an
empty one. the earl being without
enough income for himself. without
granting one to younger son. Where
do you suppose Mr. Chichester obtain
ed the money on which to move in
our set"
was on the horns of dilemma
The one horn was lie; the other was
the position of one who had done a
rival favor and had taken advantage
of the act with the lady in question. I
avoided falling on either of these horns
! in this wise:
! THAT question: said. II do not
/ feel called upon to answer am not
j Mr.. Chichester's financial secretary"
You introduced him to me,s And
now when l am in doubt about him
| you decline to help me in matter
involving the most important step a
woman can take"
| Il introduced Mr.. Chichester without
any expectation that you would be-
come engaged to him."
You mean without expecting that he
would supplant you"
4. To this made no reply.
"Why is it." she continued. that you
men always hang together? have
no woman friend who would treat a
rival as you have treated Mr.. Chiches-
ter"
1T 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"
Nonsense! But to return to this
question Of where Mr.. Chichester got
the money he has been spending so
lavishly. Do you mean to tell me that
you do not know?"
| Again was cornered. made no
reply.
"You men are queer creatures" she
continued. IF pressed too hard you
will lie for one another. l will not
push you too far for fear you will do
SO now. 1t is you who furnished Mr..
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
bank through which check Of yours
payable to Mr.. Chichester passed. He
saw it and gave me the information"
1t was evident that Mr. Chichester's
hope of marrying a fortune in Miss De
Roode was gone. My heart beat fast
but l maintained my outward equa
nimity. | looked at the ceiling.
Have you seen Mr.. Chichester late.
ly?" Anita asked.
mot for several days."
HE has gone to England. You have
lost your advances to him."