The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-30

Don't mind my poor place. |
Alas. 1t is sad, is it not, to be
poor?"
Yes" said the girl quite seri-
ously. II know what it means.
But you, my ehield, the niece
of millionaire - what do you
know of poverty"
1.-The count is not really my
uncle. But surely you must know
about my affairs. Your letter
said"
Madame Tissot interrupted her
hastily. "Of course, my dear girl.
| do know something of your af-
fairs, and when | heard of your
unhappy situation | said to my
self, this poor child is in need of
someone to advise - o-help her.
Il am sure it was very kind OF
you,' said Grace, as she seated
herself to one side of the table.
What have you to tell me?"
First, my dear, | wish to speak
to you concerning a most worthy
young man, a dear friend of mine
who loves you with all his heart"
Loves me?" inquired the girl,
half-rising from her chair.
Whom do you mean?"
Monsieur Emile D'Este."
The girl turned away coldly.
Il am afraid you are mistaken, -
she said.
Madame Tissot raised her hand
in protest, and, learning over the
table, began to speak in an eager
and rapid voice. Indeed, 1t is you
who are mistaken. This unhappy
young man loves you devotedly.
Many a~time he has poured his
grief into my ears. You see, when
he was a child | was his nurse
his bonnie, therefore he comes to
me with his troubles"
The girl again started to rise.
Did you send for me to tell me
this?" she inquired.
Wait" said the woman, as she
detained Grace with gesture
MY dear girl. know this young
man is truly in love with you. And
to prove that he is in earnest. he
proposes to assist you in getting
back this money which was left
to you by your aunt"
Then let him do it. After that
it will be time enough to talk of
love"
alas, no." said the woman.
"Unless you agree to marry him
at once he can do nothing"
why not?" the girl asked.
las his wife," she heard Mad
anne Tissot saying, "he can fight
for you. He will have a legal
standing. Otherwise, he can do
nothing-his uncle will prevent
him."
How does he propose to help
me-"
THE matter is simple. I have
certain information concerning
your aunt's will which may be of
great value to you. can also
produce one of the witnesses who
signed it. Marry Emile-become
the wife of my dear boy-and l.
will help you. Otherwise" She
shrugged her shoulders. "YouI
are a stranger-why should | do
anything for you?"
Grace got up and began to draw
on her gloves. "I'll think it over"
she said as she started toward the
door.
Madame Tissot sprang to her
feet and hastily intercepted her.
wait a moment, my dear she
exclaimed. Il cannot hope to put
the matter before you as eloquent
ly as the young man himself. "
She ran to the door and opened
it. Stay here, please, and l will
send him to you"
The girl paused, undecided. She
had no desire for an interview
with young D'Este and yet she
could not help remembering that
Richard Duvall had instructed
her to hear all that these people
might have to say.
Young D'Este came quickly in
to the room. He closed the door
carefully, looking at her in mo-
mentary doubt. Madame Tissot
has told you what l propose?" he
said at length.
She says you want to marry
me-" replied the girl. I'm that
case, l understand, you propose to
help me get my money. Is that
it,"
"Yes-yes. You will? You know
love you" He went toward her,
an eager expression lighting up
his face.
"If you love me, monsieur, you
will help me to get my money
first. Do you wish to buy my
consent" she said scornfully, Gin
return for your services?"
MONO. You do not under
stand. My uncle is very rich =
very powerful. IL I were to try
to help you now, 1 do not know
what harm he might try to do to
you, but, as my wife, you will be
safe. Do you agree?"
She turned away, unable to hide
her annoyance. "Impossible?"
she exclaimed.
"Wait. You must not say that.
You must marry meat once -
tonight"
81 shall do nothing of the
sort"
The young mans cheeks flush
ed with anger.