The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-03

emphasis
Eyes. And so have come here t,
] ask you to be my wife tonight"
well. you have been very frank,
answered the girl. Now l will b.
equally SO. was brought up in lux
ury, with the idea of making a fash
ionable marriage with a man of title
1t didn't matter who he was-English
French. German, Italian, or what his
character was, or his age, or his per
sonality, SO long as he had title The
higher. the better, you know. Well
when you came to New York, of course
we all understood your motive in call
ing upon me. When l am with a plain
American he takes me to theaters and
the opera alone. Sometimes he may
take me out in his auto. But for you,
you know, l had to play the part of
an 1ngenue. | was a delicate hot
house flower, who must never be
shown alone. had to have chaperon
with me always. That was part of the
game. You understand that"
| O' uioH UNDERSTAND tndl, an
swered the man. wincing in his turn
But pray go on, Miss Vining."
THAT is about all, except that was
hawked round Europe last year and
the year before They nearly married
me to an Italian prince. But at the
last moment it was discovered that he
was courier from Turkey, masquer-
aiding. Probably he. too. was in touch
with your man Smith"
Il hardly think SO, Miss vining." an.
swered the young man thoughtfully.
You see, Smith is an honest broker,
SO to speak. and on!y handles the real
article"
The flicker Of mile played about
nor mouth for the st time.
Wei, she resumed, Il don't count
myself one whit be ter than you, un.
derstand We are both simply the vic.
inns OF circumstances Ine bargain
proposed was very suitable one. 1t
isn't that ell the people in our society |
are like this, you must know. It is
just the new-ricli-us. The decent
FAMILIES wouldn haze anything to do |
WIN US Ihey married their own peo-
pie However. | sGppose oughtn't to |
oispafase M own family And now,
moL-icur, suppose We play out this
farce to ,..le end"
by all .nconi, lie replied. Miss
Vir.ng, have The honor to ask YOUR
hind in ma..iage"
The answer is no, said the girl.
Then she looked in amazement at
MS chagrined expression. In fact
such reply had never occurred to
him.
But seriously" he urged
she flashed up angrily. Did you
seriously believe, then, that | would
be willing to sell myself?" she cried
"hy' hever-never, sir. l have al.
ways resolved that. If do play a
parasites part at least my heart is
lean. When | marry, IL any man of
ny own nation is willing to take me.
'oiled as ! am he shall But this
her anger was so genuine that the
nan did not know how to reply
But l will ask you one question"
ne continued. "A womaas curiosity
GU know. Why did you select me ont
II all the girls upon the list that the
nan Smith gave your
"Why?" he repeated stupidity. .
res. Rich as We are, know sew d
raj families that are richer and have U
ligible daughters" n
why, because I fell in love with q
gu, he retorted. +,
What!" she cried incredulouslv y
After telling me that" n
But have never said [ did not love /
ou' In fact, have loved you since a
first saw you N
is this part of the game, too?" she il
'manded; but he saw that her Inns
ere quivering a,
And suddenly some interior emotion IL
Urged up in him and banished tho CO
e' .ouch OF cynicism. He fell upon W
knees before her and clasped her st
lnds. . a,
MISS Vining Elsie, love you with dc
my heart he cried. Can YOU hs
you think that if prove nv love he
n win you?" tn
she had broken down under the m
ssion OF her heart. The anger which tn
heid her evaporated, leaving only he
very miserable and very HELPLESS WI
l. wa
he rose to his feet Il am poipv as
OK TO France" he said 81 cannot tn
pect you to believe in me. And VET to
was my love for you that PROMPTED tin
10 say what | have said. could tin
win you with lie So | told Won ca,
you asked me. But before | 20 ito
you tell me that there NAV no
'e ior me at some distant time? ex;
the money go, the title go; inst esq
upon me as one who loves Won for
desires you tic
Isle Vining lifted her tear.sta,n.d his
e to his. res
| don't think-there Is any naoa rec
you TO go back to France she
softly. tba
en- minutes later Bobby Brook. SOU
ged Charlie Twiss fee
mere comes the bridal pair-bridle and
: perhaps would be better term pay
'ald. N.Y. Don't they look pleased stoI
themselves" con
nes ought TO. seeing what each for
got out OF it, answered Charlie wol
say. shouldn't be surprised IL SO
e was romance in it after all" dali
sested his friend. ing
Well. if money and a title aren,,
ah.ic. "hat is?" replied the other. F
SILL, you never can toll ., pf r