The Red Cloud chief. [volume] (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 1919-10-02
"The Poorest
Girl

BY VICTOR REDcLIFFE

before he decided what profession he
would choose for the future.
His father was the attorney for
Elias Druse in the Boyden will case.
The same involved fortune left by
Gregory Boyden in such complicated
way that 1t was necessary to appeal to
the law for a coherent decision, as to
whether Elias Druse, or Miss Ottilia
Marsden, n poor and humble spinster,
was the beneficiary. Marvin's father
was sure he would win for his client.
Miss Marsden had no money to hire
an attorney and I'm her patient, re-
signed way was willing to abide by
what the courts decided.
Poor rs she was, Miss Marsdcn had
found the impulse in her charitable
heart to adopt Meta Deane, orphan,
and also relative of Gregory Boy.
den. They had to live very close and
carefully, those two, and both had to
join their efforts in the sewing line to
earn sufficient to keep the wolf from
the door.
The mission that Mr.. Hull sent Mar
win on was to leave legal notice for
Miss Marsden. The latter CHANGED to
be away from home on the occasion.
but Meta, bright eyed. pleasant and
scanning the visitor with an approving
eye, made an instantaneous impression
on Marvin. She charmed him into lin
gerlng about the modest little home
for an hour and she hoped she would
see him again. She did.
Within two weeks time Marvin had
called at the Marsden home no less
than seven times!
81 shall never see her equal" Mar
vim fervently declared TO himself. "Td
marry her tomorrow IL she'd have me
an1 If the folks"
There Marvin halted, and quite de-
presscdly, in his self cOmmuning. His
father and mother had high social
views, as he was well aware. Mr.. Hull
was quite wealthy, and, Marvin was
assured, would look upon any attention
to portiOnless maid as almost a
crime. Marvin therefore employed q
good deal of circumlocutlon i'm his ini-
tial wOoing. lie reached the object Of
his devotion by detour route. SO
that no one would learn Of his visits
to Meta.
One day Marvin met on the street
Madge Warren. At college her pros
pective fiancee had been Marvin's
closest chum. Marvin had all kinds
Of delightful things to say about Jack
barlow and Madge was only too glad
TO hear 1t all. While they were con
versing In an animated, friendly way
Mr.. Hull passed on the other side OF
the street. The latter lifted his head
trifle higher, scowl came to his
stern, severe face.
Now I'll catch II !" Illuminated
Marvin as he left Madge, and he was
right. When he reached his fathers
Office Mr.. Hull closed the door ant
regarded Marvin with acute displeas
ure.
81 saw you with John Warren!
daughter" he spoke aggressively.
"Why, yes" responded Marvin, "w'
don't often meet and l wanted to give
her a message from Jack Darlow."
"Well, don't let II occur again. Yo'
know that Warren and myself have
not spoken for years, and my dislike
extends to every member Of his fam
lily. shall discourage any attention
In that direction. Understand me?"
II think I do" replied Marvin, ant
then a brilliant idea came into hi
mind. He managed to meet Madg
quite frequently for a week after that
He even encouraged the gossip anon
his friends implying that he and Mads
were something more than friends.
led to another Office lecture. TIL
watchful, wary attorney-father ha
heard of the purchase of "a ring, bOxe
OF candy and flowers by Marvin. The
had gone to Meta Deane, but Mr.. HUI
did not know that.
Marvin" he spoke with unusun
firmness and decision, ''if l learn o
your having anything further to d
with the daughter of that despicabl
Warren, whom look upon as a dead
enemy I shall send you away for
year to come. Why, l would rnthe
see you married to the poorest girl |
Bromley than to any member Of tina
brood!"
The poorest girl in Bromley! Ma
vim chuckled as he repeated the n
mark The poorest girl in Bromley
why, Meta Deane was that. All whf
fOrtuitOus observation What a SUI;
gestive means of solving his intens
problem of love! Two weeks went b,
Marvin came into the office, l0okin
pale and worried, although his heal
was overlooking with joy.
Father" he said, boiling desperate
ly into the subject Of the moment,
have been In love for the two pa
months. You said you would rather
married the poorest girl In the villas
than Madge Warren. I've done
Meta Deane Is my wife. She Is poo
mother will probably storm. you me
perhaps disOwn me. but--we adore or
anotheri"
In blank amazement Marvin noted
most engaging, 5enignant smile CON
Eu