The Owosso times., 1916-01-21


have troubled the mother If she could
have relied on her daughter using II
for the purpose intended. But sup
pose Dorothy's heart were set on mar
rying this count without her mother
approval of the match, $1,000 would
come In very handy. Instead Of pay
Ing her way home with it Dorothy
might use II TO purchase trousseau
Another view of the case was that If
the count were really an impostor he
would likely get possession of the
money and appropriate it to his own
uses.
When Mr.. Fitz Hugh called again on
Mrs. Fleetwood he brought with him
some photographs of interesting scenes
in Rome and in explaining them show
ed a great deal Of information. which
the lady. being highly educated wo
man. fully appreciated. He was a
good talker, and it was not long before
he had won the lady's good opinion.
In few weeks Mrs. Fleetwood re-
ceived letter from her daughter ac-
knowledging that she had received a
proposition Of marriage from Count
Volinski and assuring her mother that
it would be brilliant match for her
cent estate in Austrian Poland and
was prominent politically. By this
time Mrs. Fleetwood had become
much interested in Mr.. Fitz Hugh and
on receipt of the letter showed it to
him. asking him If he might not have
been mistaken in his estimate Of Vo
linski.
~ think time has come for a con-
fession." said the young man. II met
your daughter and fell in love with
her, but. having nothing but my profes.
sion to rely on. did not feel justified In
proposing marriage. Then came this
count and carried her off her feet.
made inquiries respecting him and con.
vinced myself that he was no count at
all; that his estates in Poland were
myth
"Oh. heavens" exclaimed the mother.
lis my daughter in such danger? Can
nothing be done to save her? If she is
fascinated 1t will do no good for me to
disinherit her. She is self willed and
will walk into the trap laid for her."
Had that impostor kept away an.
other month l believe / could have
won your daughter. and it requires no
conceit to say that even l would be
more desirable man than an adven.
turer." replied Mr.. Fitz Hugh.
II wish to heaven that your modesty
had not prevented your capturing Dor
othy while you had the chance"
do you mean that you would have
consented to my marriage with your
daughter provided l had won herr
81 would most certainly consent to
your marriage with her provided you
could save her from bogus count"
Fitz Hugh arose from the chair In
which he was sitting. evidently alb
sorbed In deep thought Presently he
said:
IF | could convince her I believe !
could win her."
"Have you proofs of this mans des
picable characterT' asked Mrs. Fleet
wood.
II have"
II suppose" said the lady lugubri.
ously. that shall have to 60 abroad
| presume you will give me the
proofs"
Certainly"
II dread the passage on the ocean,"
Mrs. Fleetwood said Fitz Hugh i'm
pressively after q brief silence. IF !
have your consent to win your daugh
ter | will return to Europe and ar.
my possession that this Polish noble
man has victimized number Of WON
an and is intending to play the same
game on her"
"Will you?" exclaimed the poor wo-
man. much relieved.
IL will''
But If you fail to win Dorothy you
will not be repaid for your trouble"
THAT, my dear Mrs. Fleetwood, Is
my risk"
IF you don't succeed will make up
your loss to you"
When the next steamer sailed for
Genoa Fitz Hugh was aboard armed
with Mrs. Fleetwood's written consent
to his marriage to her daughter. In
u few weeks the anxious mother re-
ceived letter from him recounting
dramatic interview with the impostor
in her daughters presence. wherein
Fitz Hugh had shown the proofs and
the rascal had shrunk away like the
bastard he was. A postscript was at
tached which read. IL have reason to
hope"
A letter came from Dorothy to her
mother announcing her rejection of
the false count. and this was followed
soon by another informing her of her
engagement to the man who had saved
her from 4 life Of misery. She was
pleased to know that her fance had
won her mothers good opinion and
consent. In Difference to her mother
and her desire that she should be pres
ent at the wedding ceremony she would
return to America to be married.
What delightful change In her."
exclaimed Mrs. Fleetwood. land what
a splendid. thoughtful. honorable fel-
low she is going to marryl shall be
TN, ,,f