The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-05-10

preston.
Uncle James! I am pleasedy-
Simply fine,"-"My wife? My wifei"
I-"Oh-er-er-yes. yes, very well, very
we'll, very, very wen."-"Yes-yes.'-
j"Of course-er, we'd ask you to stay
with US, but we've only.two rooms. -
Yes. two rooms. but there's an ex-
ceIlent little family hotel near. Wen
put you up there."-"All right. Yes.
come right up
Philip turned from the telephone
with SO woebegone an expression that
Marjorie's heart melted within her.
MY uncle is coming up, will be
/ here any moment and how the deuce
can I produce a wife in that timer
Phillip paused with the despair of
one whose game is up. Then, II say.
Miss Cowles, you wouldn't-oh, it's a
crazy scheme-but would you consider
being my wife"
Marjoriy couldn't resist. This is
so student" she said quite soberly.
| then didn't know whether to be more
chagrined or amused at the look Of
alarm on Phillips face.
ooh. 1 didn't mean really-that is
oh, just pretend you're-er-my wife,
while Uncle James is here this morn
ing. After that I'll undeceive him.
But if he'd only go over the works
first and see what a first-rate propo-
sition it is, he'll forget this wife busi-
ness and loan the wherewithal"
Marjory debated within herself.
wife to the man you're in love with
| might have its tragic moments. But,
because she was in love with him.
IAN right" she said at last, for the
sake of the business, I WILL
Your a brick, Miss Cowles!" he
grasped her hands gratefully. Then.
as the color mounted slowly in his
cheeks, He'll think I'm a darned
lucky dog!" he added. 1t was the first
personal note that had ever crept into
their conversation.
Half an hour later Uncle James
arrived tall individual with keen,
swapping eyes. He greeted his nephew
affectionately, then turned to the girl
as Phillip said, a little awkwardly.
"My-er-wife. She is putting her
shoulder to the wheel, too, for q
while"
The difficult moment was past and
Uncle James was launched in de-
scriptions of his trip east. As he rose
to go after steadily refusing to talk
business, Uncle James uttered the fatal
words that heightened indefinitely the
conspirator plans of an hour.
I'm glad you did so well, Phillip,
because I'd made up my mind, if your
wife was one of these extravagan
creatures wearing her husbands earn
ings on her back, Id have nothing to
do with your business, no matter how
promising. But before we discuss that
L intend to see the whole of New York
and the two of you must be my
guests"
AS he went out, the two young peo-
pie looked at each other. Then,
Stick by me a while longer" begged
Philip miserably, and Marjory con-
scented.
Followed busy evenings of theaters.
2nfnrn nhila riIAe h.
ners. When they were riding Uncle
James usually insisted on occupying
the front seat with the chauffeur.
Even old married people like TO sit
by themselves and talk" he said in
diligently.
And Marjory, sitting snugly wrapred
Up at Phillips side, watching the
river, felt sometimes that she had
stepped intoa dream. While Phillip
well. Phillip grew to long for the
right to reach out and grasp the slim
hand resting beneath the robes a few
inches away.
For Marjory, in the hours of COM
partnership, had shown herself to be
a wonderful comrade, eminently de-
sirable. In wondering how he could
afford marriage, il the business failed,
he sometimes forgot his feeling of
guilt at the deception he was prac-
ticing on his uncle and his anxiety as
to the outcome.
Then one day, Uncle James wan
dered into the office when Phillip
was ont. Finding Marjory alone, he
hesitated, then sat down in his
nephew's chair.
Whats my nephew playing the
fool for?" he demanded.
What do you mean?" She asked,
trying to speak calmly.
Just this-hes no more married
than you are! I'll tell you how
know" Reaching into his packet, he
extracted the envelope recognized as
he took the letter and turned it over.
On the back she saw her handiwork,
and a delicate flush stole over her
face. 'Marjory Cowles Marjory
Cowles Merrill-Mrs. Phillip Mer-
rill--' She had picked up that pa
per with its scribblings to typewrite
the letter on
when 1 saw p. NJ. NJ. C.. at the
bottom of the letter, 1 put two and
two together. The girl in my nephew's
office was in love with him, even as
she took down a. letter indicating that
he was married! 1t made me a mite
suspicious of that letter, and gave me
an excuse to come on.
"And now that I have come-well,
he can have that money on one con-
dition-that he makes good his bluff
and marries you right away You suit
me down TO tne- ground as my
nephew's wife"
Rising, he went slowly out, leaving
the girl speeches. and indignant.
Then the hot tears welled into her
eyes and she buried her face in her
arms on the desk. Nor did she hear
the door open softly. Suddenly, two
strong arms swept her to her feet and
held her close.
Il met my uncle downstairs He
said my wife wanted me very badly.
But it's nothing. Marjory darling. to
the way 1 want my wife. When can
claim her. sweetheart"
Marjory lifted up her wet eyes. now
shining with happiness. Amy time
that suits Uncle James," she said. and
Phillip forgot to be mystified in the
wonder of the first kiss.
Copyright. 1920. bv the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.l