Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-10-15

III ned only go over the works nrSt
and see what first-rate proposition
it is, he'll forget this wife business
and loan the wherewithal."
Marjory debated within herself.
Playing the part Of make-believe
wife to the man you're in love with
might have its tragic moments. Bat,
because she was In love with him-"All
right" she said at last, "for the sake
of the business I will"
"You're brick Miss Cowlesw he
grasped her hands gratefully. Then,
as the color mounted slowly In his
cheeks. Hell think I'm darned
lucky dogw he added. 1t was the first
personal note that had ever crept into
the conversation.
Half an hour later Uncle James ar
rived--a tall individual with keen,
swapping eyes. He greeted his nephew
affectlonately, then turned to the girl
as Phillip said, little awkwardly:
"My--er-wlfe. She is putting her
shoulder to the wheel, too, for nj
WHILE"
The difficult moment was past and
Uncle James was launched In descrip-
lions Of his trip east. AS he rose to
go after steadily refusing to talk busl-
ness, Uncle James uttered the fatal
words that heightened indefinitely the
conspirators' plan Of an hour.
I'm glad you did so well, Phillip,
because I'd rather made up my mind,
II your wife was one of those extrava-
CANT creatures wearing her husbands
earnings on her back, I'd have nothing
to do with your business no matter
how promising. But before we dis
cuss that 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 "Stlck
by me while longer" begged Phillip
miserably, and Marjory consented.
Followed busy evenings at theaters,
automobile rides up the Hudson, din
ners. When they were riding Uncle
james usually insisted on occupying
the front seat with the chauffeur.
Even old married people like to sit
W thVihSSiNeS uiIu iulhi nc Sulu III
diligently"
And Marjory, sitting snugIy wrapped
up at Phillips side, watching the river.
felt sometimes that she had stepped
into dream. While Phlllp-well,
Phillip grew to long for the right TO
reach out and grasp the slim hand
resting beneath the robes few inches
away.
For Marjory in the hours Of com
partnership, had shown herself to he
n wonderful comrade, emlnently de-
sirable. In wondering how he could
afford marriage, If the business failed,
he sometimes forgot his feeling of
guilt Mt the deception he was prac-
tlclng on his uncle and his anxiety as
to the outcome.
Then one day Uncle James wan
dered into the Office when Phillip was
out. Finding Marjory alone, he hest
tated, then sat down in his nephews
chair.
"Whats my nephew playing the
fool for" he demanded
"What do you meanT she asked,
trying to speak calmly
"Just thIs-he's no more married
than you arel I'll tell you how |
know. Reaching into his pocket, he
extracted the envelope Marjory rccog-
nized as the one she had addressed
out Of 1t he took the letter and turned
It over. On the back she saw her
handiwOrk, and n delicate flush stole
over her face. "Marjory COwles-
Marjory Cowles Merrlll-Mrs. Phillip
Merrill" She had picked up that
paper with It's scrlbbllngs to typcwrite
the letter on!
"When / saw =. NJ. NJ. O. at the
bottom Of the letter, put two and two
together. The girl In my nephew's Of
flee was In love With him, even az she
took down n letter indicating that he
was married II made me mite sus-
picious Of that letter, and gave me an
excuse TO come on.
"And' now that | have comc-well,
he can have that money on one condl-
tion-that he makes good his blum
and marrIes you right away. You
suit me down to the 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.
81 met ny uncle downstairs. lie
said my wife wanted me very badly |
But It's nothing, Marjory darling, to
the way want my wife. When can | |
claim her, sweetheart
MarJory lifted her wet eyes, now
shining with happiness ANY time |
that suits Uncle James," she said, and |
Phillip forgot TO be mystlGed in the |
wonder Of the first kiss.