The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1915-10-12
A SALAR1ED MAN
BY SARAH WHITING.

cried impulsiYely. I'D rather half
starve with Elsie than feast without
her"
How about whole s~tarving7"
Louise, bis cousin, asked provoking.
fy. Sure it may ret come to that?''
Which means, being interpreted.
you hate Elsie Denton" Jack retorted.
his mouth settling ~doggedly.
Louise looked at him r~eproachfully.
Il deserve that for the folly of think
ing you would not misunderstood me"
she said. Il have nothing against
your sweetheart except that / have
nothing for her. Like all the Denton
girls, she has been brought up with an
eye single to misunderstanding rather
than misunderstanding"
Good afternoon | won't stay to
hear her slanderously dissectedi"
Jack burst out Not even by the
woman to whom l owe my education.
Don't be uneasy-In pay you every
dollar. Elsie will help me. She is
already planning how we shall save
and thrive"
you owe me no money, but | think
courtesy is due the blood-our blood"
she interrupted. you have been like
my brother-my dear younger brother
for whom l had such hopes" she
went on, steadily. BE halfway SEN
sible. Jack-for the blood's sake. Wait
until you have your profession, at
least"
Il shall get II, never fear" Jack
said holly, but not at your expense.
I'm deep enough in your debt al
ready"
Let that pass, please" Louise said.
her eyes growing steely. Tell me
exactly what your plans are"
I'm going into Blaney's Office tt
study" he replied dedantly.
With this, Jack rushed away to
Elsie. Sore and bruised from the con-
fiict with his cousin. he sought COM
fort and reinsurance. II hurt him to
find her on the verge of tears, sur
veying his ring with a p~etulant frown.
1t had been his mothers engagement
ring and was set with a small dia-
mond Of fine luster. He priced 1t SO
dearly he had thought she must do
likewise.
May Cutter ran In to show me her
ring" Elsie said petulantly. Such a
beauty blue-white solitaire. She
says It cost q thousand-and Job
Means Is going to give her a string OF
pearls when they marry. II made me
so ashamed | hid my ring-hand first
but she saw 1t. So l had to tell her
/ was wearing this Just until you had
time to run up to the city and get me
a real ring set In a special design"
What an u~nprincipled little fb.
bert" Jack said fondly, with yet an
unaccountable sinking of the heart.
Don't you think, Jack, 1t would be
better II you got me the real ringf /
know your cousin has q charge &C
count at Letfeld's."
But I'd starve before I added any.
thing to It," Jack burst out.
At this she tossed her head, saying
with q pout, Why, she's bound to
give us a handsome present-for her
own credits sake Just do as I say,
and tell her that settles 1t. simply
won't let May Cutter put it all over
me as she does."
Let me tell you q few things" Jack
said, paling to the lips. AS briefly and
as badly as possible he told her Of his
cousins attitude, of his own hopes,
plans, even fears. Il know it's going
to be hard-an awful pull. grille" he
wound up; "but-wen face 1t to.
gether. Isn't that better than being
apart?"
Elsie was sobbing. She had never
dreamed Of a situation like this. Her
plan had been to marry and 90
straight home to the Manners house.
the handsomest in town. Jack was
the heir presumptive-he had grown
up there. Miss Louise vas SO fond
OF him she could never do without
him.
You say she'll do something for US?
How much do o suppose? We could
manage fairly on $4,000 a year besides
what you make" she ventured doubt.
fully.
Jack laughed CONTEMPORARY. 81
suppose she will furnish the kitchen
US and give us half q dozen tea
spoons" he said. But $1,000 a year!
Why. | couldn't bring myself to take
1t II she offered 1t. I owe her too much
already"
You are wickediy foolish" Elsie
sobbed. And unkind, too. II you had
told me in time | shouldn't be In this
awful hole. OF course | can't marry
you as things are. | have no taste or
talent for starvation. Suppose we
walt q year or two. Maybe | can
bring her around. II that turns out to
be impossible; well. we shall see. /
simply can't stay here forever. Mother
has three other girls younger than
am. remember; and father will never