Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-10-31
CHAPTER J.


Andrea Pellor stood on the edge OF
the cin az the back OF the Indian
Oceaa hotel and gaged out across
twenty-five miles OF moonlit bay. II
was not FOR lack Of a partner that she
stood alone. She had promised this
very extra 10 four lnsistcnt men. but
had excused herself 10 one after an
other % them "Just for a moment.
just while powder my nose"
They had all seen her run up the
stairs IN the main hallway; they had
not seen her travel steadily on
through the length Of the hotel aud
come down the laddcr-like exit into
the garden. Why had she done Il?
That was a question that she herself
could not have answered but that did
not occur to her as a matter for solu-
tion. so often had a similar impulse
snatched her momentarily away from
a crowded world.
Andrea had a past, but very little
history. She was the only daughter
Of Lord Pellor of Pellor, land-poor
baron who could distribute 1--WE titles
among his five sons but very little
cash. As result Andrea had lived
the life, If life you can call IL, OF tab
uisted impoverished English gentle
women: Everything that the traffic
win bear for the men of the family
and for the girl just enough frocks at
her coming out 10 dissemble the bait
that clothes the hook that catches the
man with millions.
During her first season offers had
come to her, not the measured adj
vances of buyers In the marriage mar
ket. for about the brow of such bud.
ding maidenhood as had been hers
there hangs guardian halo that
blinds the eyes OF sane-aged men, but
the Overlapping onsiaughts Of youth
maddened hearts,
II was In her fifth season that the
arbitcrs OF her fate raised the shears
OF destiny and clicked them. He who
fen 20 her lot was man Of humble
origin who had reached the ripe age
OF iifiy-eight without ever having had
time TO marry. His life. with q ar.
ference, had been Just as narrow. hide
bound and conventional as had hers.
The difference was that he had tray
cied the stereolypcd Dick Wilmington
iraii 20 high finance rather than the
socinl highway he had started out Ia
Africa with n pick of cheap jewelry
IN open mind and an easy conscience.
aud had emerged after twenty-five
years as one Of the few Gentiles In the
'omblne that controls the worlds dia-
nond output His wealth WIS So great
hat an ultimate peeragc was almost
! matter OF course But, as usual. IN
irisiocratlc marriage had to come
irsi
The contract was as cold-hlooded as
Iny ever pcrpcirated by a royal house
Allowances carefully graded. were
fipulated 90 be paid at fixed times to
Indreas parents and 10 each az her
I've brothers. She herself came IN for
large aud inalienable marriage set
leulent and was further secured IN
UGH details as TO where the town res
tsnce was TO be located as well as TO
nc number and nature OF the country
tnce9 which were TO be maintained
When the document was finally com
iesad Il was casually submitted TO
ndrea for approval. Nobody dreamed
RET she would doubt for moment
ns those In family authority were
Iax able 10 decide what Was best for
~ and nobody was right She merely
1rnmed through the typewriter
sges OF the prenuptiai agreement, sat
sed herself that vast sum of money
- destined 20 the upkeep OF Pellor,
"a dreamy-eyed with sudden memo
Co nodded her adorable head in ton
An doubtless would have taken its 4,
Pofnted course had not the Euro
au war put In It's nightly discon-
rSsng finger. Surprising things hap
ped in South Africa. Andrea's am
ICED sailed on twenty-four hours no
r. The diamond mines closed down.
q a short nap. end then suddenly I"
Rkened 20 the fact that America
fpe WAS demanding IS much OF their ~
educt as had the whole world before
Ssrned It's entire attention 10 max $
3 munitions and paying for them. q
Htrez's bstroihed found himself har- I"
sssed 10 his job. possibly for the du-
|asn Of the war. AS result Il was ~
6dec in family conclaye that Il was
Euubent upon Andrea TO take adj n
stzge of proyidentiai detail OF two "
her brothers on the Nyassaland ex- al
Isn, surrendering 81. Georges chapel IN
: quiet marriage IN the colonies.
y was blow, but the fact that the dc
lire set OF tapered allowances e
Md not start until the sacrifciai W
reDoDy had taken place more than al
set the loss In pomp. Andres start bl
for Africa escorted not only by the Sc
brothers but by old b'
lrsty Gwen, hale and hearty at sew 10