Carrizozo outlook. [volume] (Carrizozo, N.M.) 1910-1945, 1920-03-19
CHAPTER 1.

Andrea Pellor stood on the edge OF
the clln NJ the bnck OF the Indian
Ocean hotel and gnzed out across
twenty-five miles Of moonllt bay. II
was not for lnck OF n partner that she
stood alone. She Ind promised this
very extrn to four inslstent men. but
had excused herself 10 n after an
other OF them, "Just for n moment.
Just while I powder my nose"
They had all seen her run up the
stnirs In the main hallway they hnd
not seen 4er travel steadily on
through the length Of the hotel and
come down the laddcr-llke exit into
the gnrden. Why Ind she done III
That vas n question that she herself
could not have answered but thnt did
no occur 10 her MS a mntter for soiu-
tlon, so often had n similar impulse
snntched her ~momentnrlly away from
a crowded world.
Andrea had n past, but very little
history. She was the only daughter
Of Lord Pellor OF Pellor, II land-poor
baron who could distribute Ave titles
among his i've sons but very little
cash. Az n result Andrea had lived
the life. II life you can call II, Of tab
ulntcd impoverished English gentle
ome Everything that the traffic
will bear for the men OF the family
and for the girl Just enough frocks at
her coming out to dlssemble the bait
thnt clothes the hook that catches the
mnn with millions.
During her first season offers Ind
come 20 her; not the measured nd
vnnces OF buyers In the marriage mar
ket. for about the brow OF such bud
ding mnldenhOod MS had been hers
there hangs n guardian halo that
blinds the eyes OF snne-aged men, but
the Overlapping onslaughts OF youth
maddened hearts.
II was In her fifth season that the
arbIters Of her fate raised the shears
of destiny and clicked them. He who
fell TO her lot was n man OF humble
origin who had reached the ripe age
Of lfty-eight without ever having had
time TO marry. His life, with q DIFF
ference, had been Just as narrow, hide
bound and conventional rs had hers.
The difference was that he had trnv-
eled the stereotyped Dick Wilmington
trail TO high finance rather than the
social highway. lie had started out In
Africa with n pack OF cheap jewelry,
an open mind and IN ensy conscience,
und had emerged after twenty-five
years rs one OF the few Gentiles In the
combine that controls the worlds dla-
mOnd output. His wealth vas so great
thut IN ultimate peerage M almost
a matter Of course. But, as usual, an
nrlstocrntlc mnfringe had 10 come
first.
The contract was ms cold-blooded M
any ever perpetrnted by a royal house
Allowances, carefully graded, were
stipulated TO he paid NJ fixed times q
Andrews parents and to each OF hei
five brothers. She herself came In fol
n large and innllennble marriage set
Element and was further secured IL
such details ms to where the town res
idence was to be located MS well MS e
the number and nature Of the countr!
places which we're 10 be maintained
When the document was finally con
pleted II WINS casualty submitted e
Andrea for approval. Nobody dreamed
that she would doubt for a momen
that those In family authority wer,
most able 10 decide whit was best foI
her aud nobody was right. She merol!
skinned through the typewrittel
pages Of the %prenuptinl INCREMENT. sat
isned herself that a vast sun OF none,
wns destined 10 the upkeep Of Pellor
aud drenmy-eyed with sudden memo
rles, nodded her adorable head In con
sent.
All doubtless would have taken Il
appointed course had not the Euro
pean war put In its nightly dlscon
certing finger. Surprising things hap
pened In South Africa. Andren's an
anced sailed on twenty-four hours nc
tice. The diamond mines closed down
took a short nap. and then suddenl
awakened 10 the fact that Amerlc
alone was demanding us much OF thel
product MS had the whole world befor
u turned It's entire attention 10 mai
ing munitions and paying for then
Andrea's betrothed found himself hal
messed to his Job, possibly for the d.
ration OF the war, As n result Il WA
decided In family %conclnve that II wa
incumbent upon Andren 10 take nd
vantage of n pravidentinl detail OF Nv
Of her brothers on the Nynssnlnnd "a
it'nn"r cree and accompan