Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-03-23
She put out her hand and turned
AWAY her head

In the matter. The sutton has been ac-
cepted by her father"
"Who is this new person, and what
is his income?"
sEIe Is Herr Otto Schmidt, and his
income is 10000 francs"
young or old?"
Herr Schmidt Is sixty years old"
"Good looking?"
Good lookingl Not at all. He has
no teeth and little or no hair on his
head"
II presume Signorina Blanca would
prefer almost any one else"
Certainly. But the signorlna has no
choice in the matter"
"Does this old person furnish dowry
"a settlement on his bride to be2"
mo, signor."
Every well. l see his 10000 francs
income and 60 him 100000 francs bet
ter as settlement"
But you said your income was only
5000 francs"
"That was for my wife's pin money"
"And you win settle this income on
herT
Eyes"
"And 100000 francs besides1"
yes"
The broker pulled his mustache and
thought. Presently he said:
II 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.
IL found Signor Amodeo," he said,
drawing up contract with Herr
Schmidt. l 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; had another rea-
son." interrupted wilkins.
Herr Schmidt offers to settle on
Signorina Blanca 100000 francs"
Tell him to make 1t 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. II you or the others
think so go TO my bankers. Martlnelli
& 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
"Wellf" asked Wilkins.
"Ab, signor, what does 1t meant
You, a 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 enough2 II not
High enough2 Not yet. Herr
Schmidt turns out to be n 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 offerT
He says he IL In the Jack pot, sees
your opening and goes you 100000
francs In the matter Of settlement"
"Tell him call, but insist that 81
gnorlna Blanca shall decide which Is
the better show down-his or mine"
Eyes, signor. but
But whatT
where do come Inf"
IF you succeed In getting the decl-
sion left with SignorIna Blanca I Will
make your commission 100000 francs"
The broker shot out OF the office and
ran down the street at top speed to
Signor Amodeo's. Presently he re.
turned aud told wilkins that he was
expected by SignOrlna Blanca, who
would give her decision between her
two suitors. wilkins went with the
broker and found Amodeo and Schmidt
together. Schmidt and wilkins bow
ed formally. AmOdeO went to another
room and came back with his daugh
ter.
Before I decide this question:" she
said, II want to know, Herr Schmidt
why you wish 10 marry me and why
you concealed your wealth."
Zach! ! don't like BLUM. | am an
old man, and wish young wife.
concenled my wealth because know
how 10 make n bargain"
And You. slgnOr,' turning to VII
kins, "why do you wish me for YOU
wife?"
Because | love yOu."
but why dlI you come to Italy &c
find helpmnte, and why did yoI con
ccal your wealth.
~ did not come abroad purposey foI
wife, but have not married IN
America because my wealth II known
there and one might have chosen
would have married It, not me. Hav
Ing run up against your singular mar
rage custom here, thought I would
ook into II. or course I didn't display
my wealth. I had no Intention OF 20
ing 80 far as TO marry The rest you
know"
Smiling, Blanca advanced to wilkins
lie opened his arms and took her IN.
When wilkins returned 10 America
with his Italian bride the story got
about nv TO how he had won her, but
since neither he nor his bride told the
true story II was never Known. J'he
most common version was that be had
won his wife at poker in a jack pot.
- n v