The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-07-27
! lI.lE j, p },.l1sI;''g, /,
ForIsale
sY r. RAY BAKER

BY r. RAY BAKER
N was no great surprise 70 be
turned down by Christine Wen.
slow but Il was a bitter dlsap-
7ointment
Frankly Casper Hopkins had ad-
u1ttted repeatedly to himself that
ere was no reason Why the most
6eanttul girl in Waterford should
9ok OF him With favor. There were
andsome suitors who lowered
bout her threshold and when the
good looks had been distributed
CASPER must have been absent, for
he was q very plain looking yotihg
man There were athletes who as
aplred 70 her hand, and In physical
timensions and strength Casper
nade o poor showing for he was a
rather runty looking specimen Of
manhood There were rich mems
bsons who wooed the fair maiden
and hers again Casper did not
thine for his future was wrapped
up In q shoe store in which he ex-
peeted to buy an interest some
ttme soon.
But he had hoped against hope
and NOW his heart was broken
Having received the fatal answer
he turned from Christine and slow
" with eyes downcast approached
the door OF her home which he
owed be never would darken
nsonee be stepped out into the
world.
4sper."
HerSyoice arrested him as he was
turning the knob.
Christine sat on q davenport I'm
deieeted posture looking at him
with lack-luster eyes.
-Wiil you come here, oasper?r
she said Il will explain something
to you. / Intended keeping 1t from
lyon but l feel 1t Is due you. Yop
have been very nice to me
] BE sat on the davenport beside
Twin not mince my words" she
told him. speaking rapidly. 1.-THE
fact Is Casper, / am about to ,offe,.
myself for sale"
You-you-p Casetepr suffered
unable to believe his ears,
~ am about to offer myself for
stie, she repeated. Casper, I do
Rnpt wish 10 appear conceitad, but
tiiefe are several young men who
wish me TO marry them and / shall
accept one-for one thousand dol.
|flars cash. I need the money. Ia.
II ther. you know. is in the hospital
and the only thing that will save
his life Is an operation that will
cost the amount l have mentioned
q viii not be the first time such
q plan has been used. read in
z newspapers recently about a
NV York girl who made similar
sotters with a similar purpose in
view and that gave me the idea
The only assets we have are some
worthless mining stock, this home
aleh father has always lived in
fandLand me. | am going 10 sell
mysslf Good-bys" SO
Casper went out, walking in a
trance Of misery. 1t was Sunday
andshts services were not required
q the shoe store where he was
employed; so he set out for long
walk in the woods. He scarcely
knew where he wandered. his
thoughts were SO busy, His dream
was shattered, hissheart broken. he
sfd little what happened To
thsik OF Fthe girl he worshipped
becoming the bride OF man she
did not lose-for one thousand dol
larss
BY the time Casper had walked
three hours there was u different
light in his eyes expressive of a
combination Of determination and
desperation
With hurried steps he made hia
way 70 the house where he roomed
lind bearded. From drawer OF his
dresser be brought bank boob
which he opened. Seated on the
edge of,the bed he stared at an ar
ray ots figures, smiling grimly.
tShe's going to sell herself for n
thopsand dollars" he unused. VERY
veil ! will buy her myself. I
lore her and l have Just as much
night to herIas any of those rich
men.is
safs threatened In Caspers eyes
II had taken him three years to
save that thousand aud a graf deal
OF ptnching and scraping He had
IN mind the purchase of an interest
IN the shoe store where be worked
and he had put of asking Christine
to NARY him until he had accumu-
LATED the necessary amount to 70
tnta business. Now II he married
according to her own terms It
would mean starting all over again
But Gasper's mind was made IN
He wanted Christine even il he
bad 70 buy her.
but Casper felt he would be un-
edual % the task Of appearing in
person to bid for Christine. So the
next morning before he went to
: work he penned brief note He
eaSIted this 70 work with him and
when the bank was opened he drew
out his funds and Immediately tran
terfed them to checking account
Issn he wrote . check for a thou-
sd dollars and inclosed II with
NE note BE had exactly SIS left
% bis credit In the hank.
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