The Washington herald., 1915-09-05

NOW, let recapltulate bit, he said cheer
fully. "All three of us, besides other mutual
acquaintance, have been out on a good many
larks together
I'm afraid I'll have to call the birds bv an
other name" said Miss De Orrnond
All right, responded Black-Tie. with TN
impaired cheerfulness; suppose we say squads,
when we talk about the proposal and 'larks'
when we discuss the proposition You have
a quick mind Miss De Ornond Two months
ago some haf-dozen of US went in rnotor-car
for DAYS run into the country We stopped
at a road-house for dinner. Nv cousin pro- }
posed marriage to you then and there He was
influenced to do 50. of course, BY the beauty
and charm which one can denv that YOU
possess.
Il wish | had you for press agent. Mr.
Carteret, said the beauty with a DAZZLING
smile
You are on the stage. Miss De Ormond.".
went on Black-TIe. you have had, doubtless
many admirers, and perhaps other proposals.
You must remember, too, that we were a party
of n1errymakers on that occasion. There were
good many corks pulled That the proposal
OF marriage was made to you by my cousin we
cannot deny. But hasn't it been your exper-
fence that. by common consent, such things lose
their seriousness when viewed in the next davis
sunlight? Isn't there something of a code
among good 'sports-I use the word in its best
sense-that wipes out each day the follies of
the evening previous"
oh yes" said Miss De Ormond '1 know
that very well. And I've always played up to
it. But YOU seem to be conducting the case
with the silent consent OF the defendant-I1 tell
you something more. I've got letters from him
he al ApI
too
Il understand" said Black-Tie gravely,
whats your price for the letters?' :,
I'm not cheap one" said Miss De Or
mond. But had decided to make you rate
You both belong TO a swell family. Well if am
on the stage nobody can say word against me
truthfully. And the money is only Secondary
consideration 1t isn't the money l was after,
II believed hinl-and-and liked him."
She cast a soft, entrancing glance at Blue
Tie from under her long eyelashes.
And the price," went on Black-Tie, in
exoraby
Ten thousand dollars" said the lady,
sweetly
Or the fulf1ment of the engagement to
marry.
Il think it is time" interrupted Blue-Tie,,
for me to be allowed to say word or two.
You and |, cousin, belong to family that has
held its head pretty high. You have been
brought up in section of the country very
different from the where our branch of the
family lived. Yet both of us are Carterets.,
even If some of our ways and theories differ.
You remember, it is a tradition of the family,
that no Carteret ever failed in chivalry to ladv
or failed to keep his word when it was given"
Then Bue-Tie, with frank decision showing
on his countenance, turned to Miss De Orrnond.
OLIVIA said he, "on what date will you
marry me-"
Before she could answer, Black-Tie again
irterposed
1T is long Journey" said he. from Plym-'
outh Rock to Norfolk Bay Between the two
points we find the changes that nearly three
centuries have brought. In that time the old
order has changed We no longer burn witches
or torture slaves. And today we neither spread
cloaks on the mud for ladies to walk over
treat them to the ducking-pool 1t is the
age of common sense. adjustment, and propor-
ton. All of us-ladies, gentlemen. women,
men, NOrthernerS Southerners, lords, caitiffs,
actors. hardware -drummerS, senator's, hod-car-
iers, and polticians-are coming to a better
understanding. Chivalry is one of OUR words
that changes its meaning every day. Family
pride is thing of many constructions-it may ,
show itself by maintaining moth-eaten arro-
gance in a cobwebbed Colonial mansion or by
the prompt paying of ones debts.
Now, suppose you've had enough of my
monologue. I've learned something OF business
and little of life; and l somehow believe,
cousin, that our reat-grandfathers the
original Carterets, would indorse my view of
this matter
Back-Tie wheeled around to his desk wrote
in a check-book and tore out the check, the
sharp rasp of the perforated leaf making the
only sound in the room. He laid the check
within easy reach of Miss De Ornonds hand.
Business is business said he. I'VE liva
in business age. There is my personal check
for $4,000 What do YOU say, Miss De Ornlond
will it be orange blossoms or CASH."
Miss De Ormond picked UP the check care
essly, folded it indifferently, and stuffed it into
her glove,
"Oh. this1l do" she said, calmly. 81 Just
thought Id call and put it UP to you. l guess
YOU people are all right. But girl has feelings,
YOU know. I've heard one of you was
Southerner-I wonder which one of you it ="
She arose. smiled sweetly, and walked to the