The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-10-06

down But, really, / cannot take
any more insurance. Miss Darlington
I've made all my second cousins
| But it isn't insurance this time"
she declared. ITS a house. I'm
selling real estate now. Nobody but
you would take any insurance"
But 1 don't want a house, either
I'm not married, you see, and
'Oh, haven't you got wife yet?
You said you would, so l supposed
you had. And this is the dearest
house! I'm just crazy about it my
self All porches and gables and a
sun parlor and a lawn and garden,
with a littl- creek running through
it, and big shade trees, and it's painted
white. Just the kind that naturally
and try to imagine the incest house in
the world. But L have a picture of it
here There, Isn't it beautiful? Only
the colors don't show up-the flowers
and grass and trees, 1 mean"
Richard looked harder at the
he did at the picture, but it really
was an attractive house. 1t was a
fine day, and his car was at the curb.
Il won't promise to buy the place,
but 1 might take a look at it, Miss
Darlington. L might put a friend in
the way of a good thing if 1 knew all
about it, you see,'' he said.
Thank you so much,' said Doro-
thy gratefully "I'n give you the a9-
dress But it is too bad you're not
married! 1t takes a woman to appre-
ciate that house,
Wont you go, with me in my car
and show it to me?'
Gladly"
The house was all that Dorothy
claimed, and Richard Adrian enjoyed
the excursion immensely. Not bad
speculation, he thought. Il believe
I'll take it over
So the deal was made and things
settled down as before.
Some weeks later Mike opened the
office door. "A lady to see you, sir
he announced.
Il am so glad to find you in" ex-
claimed Dorothy Darlington, as Rich
ard Adrian Hospitality held out his
hand and proffered chair"
And I am glad you came, Miss
Darlington. There is only one thing
1 am sorry for-that 1 cannot buy an
other house. You see I am property
poor now, and
But I'm not selling houses this
time. I'm in the jewelry business
now. I've brought a catalogue and
thought you might want something
for your-wife, if you have one yet?"
mo, I'm not married yet"
90! Aren't you? 1 was sure you
would be by this time. And there are
such beautiful things here in the
book-pendants. brooches, bracelets
and rings. I'm crazy about all of
them myself
Richard looked at her oddly. Your
enthusiasm is certainly contagious"
he said. Wont you tell me what you
like beSt?"
She bent over and touched the open
pages here and there where jeweled
ornaments were pictured.
and what ring do you like best?"
This one!" She turned few pages
and pointed to a ruby and diamond
set together. Il have a few of the
originals with me and may have that
one. The pigeon blood ruby is ex-
handed it to him.
Richard looked at her softly wav
ing hair under the becoming little hat,
blue eyes. He had been dreaming
dreams of late.
Miss Darlington, you've insured my
life and sold me house for a proSpec
tive bride. who hasn't materialized.
the same NEUROLOGICAL person. Unless
you can supply the wife, too, I'm
afraid there is no use in buying the
ring"
THE wife? I don't understand"
Wont you be my wife, Dorothy?
1 love you. You'd better say Yes if
you want to sell me the ring. Won't
you?"
She did not speak, but he read his
answer in her happy eyes.-CCopy-
right, 1915. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate