The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-11-01

income is 10000 francs"
young or eA?"
Herr Schmidt Is sixty years old"
"Good looking?"
GOOD looking! Not at all. He has
no teeth and little or no hair on bis
head"
81 presume signorina Blanca would
prefer almost any one else"
Certainly. But the signorina has no
choice IN the matter"
"Does this old person furnish dowry
"a settlement on his bride to BET"
mo. signsr."
Every well. l see his 10000 francs
income and 60 him 100000 francs bet
ter as q settlement"
"But you said your income was only
5000 francs"
"That was for my wife's pin money"
And you will settle this income on
her?'
yes"
"And 100000 francs besidesT
Eyes"
The broker pulled his mustache and
thought Presently he said:
81 think. signor, that you offer more
than Is necessary"
Never mind that; carry my bid to
Signor Amodeo."
The broker went to the home Of his
client, leaving wilkins to await his
return. He was not long gone. When
he re-entered the Office 1t was not with
an expression indicating that all had
been settled In his clients favor.
II found Signor Amodeo," he said.
''dra wing up contract with Herr
Schmidt made your Offer 1t seems
that Herr Schmidt as well as you has
been concealing his property. pre-
sumo this was to make better terms"-
mot In my case; l had another rea-
son." interrupted wilkins.
"Herr Schmidt offers to settle on
Signorina Blanca 100000 francs"
'STell him to make 1t a Jack pot of
100000 francs settlement. and will
open 1t with 100000 francs income be-
sides for the brides pin money"
"Ah, signor, you are Joking"
mot bit of it. If you or the others
think so 60 to my bankers. Martinelli
& Co.. and learn something about my
pile"
The broker departed This time he
was gone quite awhile. When he re-
turned there was wonder in his eyes.
"Well?" asked wilkins.
"Ah signor, what does 1t mean
You, resident Of the great gold coun-
try on the Pacific ocean. come to Italy
to bid for a girl who, had you decided
sooner, might have been had for a
song"
Have | bid high enough? If not
High enough? Not yet. Herr
Schmidt turns out to be rich brewer
in Milwaukee, wherever that is. But
your bankers say you own half doz-
en- Of the biggest gold mines in Califor-
MIA Doubtless you can
what Is his offer?"
"He says he is in the jack pot, sees
your opening and goes you 100000
francs in the matter of settlement"
Tell him | call, but l insist that 81
gnorina Blanca shall decide which is
the better show down-his or mine"
Eyes, signor but
But what?''
where do | come in?'
IF you succeed in getting the deci
sion left with Signorina Blanca l will
make your commission 100000 francs.
The broker shot out of the office ant
ran down the street at top speed t,
Signor Amodeos. Presently he re
turned and told wilkins that he wa
expected by Signorina Blanca. wht
would give her decision between he
two suitors. wilkins went with tn
broker and found Amodeo and Schmid
together. Schmidt and Wilkins bow
ed formally. Amodeo went to anothe
room and came back with his daugf
ter
Before l decide this question" sh
said, 81 want to know, Herr Schmid
why you wish to marry me and VIII,
you concealed your wealth.
; "Ach! | don't like bluff. | am a
old man, and [ wish young wife.
!, concealed my wealth because l know
how to make a bargain"
j "And you. signor,'' turning to Wi
hns, why do you wish me for you
wife?"
Because love you"
But why did you come to Italy I
find a helpmate, and why did you cor
] ceal your wealth.
II did not come abroad purposely fC
wife, but l have not married
America because my wealth Is know
there and one / might have chose
would have married 1t, not me. Ha'
ing run up against your singular ma
riage custom here. thought woul
! look into it. OF course didn't displa
my wealth. had no intention of g
ing so far as to marry. The rest yC
: know"
. Smiling, Blanca advanced to wilkin
BE opened his arms and nek her in.
When Wilkins returned to AmeriC
] with his Italian bride the story g
= about as to how he had won her. b
since neither he nor his bride told IL
true story II was never known. II