The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-06-11

list by Smith, the sgeu, who fusnees
these adventures"
All. | did not know that they woru
financed" she said.
1t is common practice. Smith
invested ten thousand dollars in the
game If | failed to win bride he
lost 1t. II gained one he was to get
nve times his investment 1t is a
lucrative profession. you see'
And he trusted to your honor to
get one?" she asked with whitening
| emphasis
Yes. And so | have come here to
ask you to be my wife tonight"
We'll, you have been very frank"
answered the girl. Nov | will be
equally so. l was brought up in lux
ury, with the idea of making a fash.
lonable marriage with a man of title.
IL 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 ali understood your motive in call.
Ing upon me. When am with 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, | had to play the part of
an ingenue | 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?"
mo, | didn't understand that" 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 only handles the real
article
The flicker of a smile played about
her mouth for the first time.
WELL" she resumed, Il don't coun,
myself one whit better than you, un.
derstand. We are both simply the vic.
tins of circumstances. The bargain
proposed was very suitable one. 1t
isn't that all the people in our society
are like this, you must know. 1t 10
Just the new-rich-us! The decent
families wouldn't have anything to do
with us They married their own PEG.
pie. However, | suppose | oughtn't to
disparage my own family. And now.
monsieur, suppose we play out this
farce to the end"
by all MEANS" he replied Miss
Vining, l have the honor to ask your
hand in marriage"
The answer is no. said the girl
Then she looked in amazement al
his chagrined expression In fact
such q reply had never occurred tc
him.
But seriously" he urged
She flashed up angrily. did you
seriously believe, then, that | would
be willing to sell myself" she cried
why, never-never, sir ! have al
ways resolved that II 1 do play q
parasites part at least my heart is
clean. When l marry if any man Of
my own nation is willing to take me
soiled as l am, he shall. But this"
Her anger was so genuine that the
man did not know how to reply
But l will ask you one question,
she continued. "a woInans curiosity
you know. Why did yon select me ou
OF all the girls upon the list that the
man Smith gave your"
"Why?" he repeated stupidity.
Yes. Rich as we are, know sew
eral families that are richer and have
eligible daughters"
why, because | fell in love witt
you, he retorted.
What" she cried incredulously
After telling me that?"
But have never said did not love
you. In fact. l have loved you since
first saw you 4"
is this part of the game, too?" she
demanded; but he saw that her lip;
were Quivering.
And suddenly some interior emotion
surged up in him and banished the
last touch of cynicism. He fell upor
his knees before her and clasped hel
hands
Miss Vining-Elsie, l love you witt
all my heart" he cried. Can you
do you think that If | prove my love
can win your"
She had broken down under the
passion of her heart. The anger which
had held her evaporated, leaving only
a very miserable and very helpless
girl
he rose to his feet. Il am goins
back to France" he said 81 canno
expect you to believe in me. And We
1t was my love for you that prompted
me to say what l have said. / coul,