, 1921-09-01
For Sale for
$1,000
By r. RAY BAKER.

cHN was blltci
Frankly Casper Hopkins had ad-
mitted repeatedly to himself that
there was. no reason why the most
beautiful girl in Waterford should
look oil him with favor. There were
handsome suitors who lowered about
her threshold, and when the good
looks had been distributed Casper
must have been absent, for he was
"a very plain-looking young man.
There were athletes who aspired to
her hand, and In physical dimensions
and strength, Casper made n poor
showing, for he was a rather runty-
looking specimen of manhood. There
were rich mems sons who wooed the
fair maiden, and here again Casper
did not shine, for his future was
wrapped up In a shoe store In which
he expected to buy an Interest some
time soon.
But he had hoped against hope,
and now his heart was broken. Hav-
ing received the fatal answer, he
turned from Christine and slowly.
with eyes downcast, approached the
door Of her home, which he vowed
he would darken again once
he stepped u into the dark world.
Casper"
Her voice ARRESTED him as he was
turning the knob.
Christine sat on a davenport, In a
detected posture, looking at him with
lack-luster eyes.
VIII you come here, Casper?' she
said. Il will explain some things to
you. 1 intended keeping it from
you, but l feel 1t is due you. You
have been very nice to me-"
He sat on the davenport beside her.
Il will not mince Words she told
him, speaking rapidly. THE fact is,
Casper, 1 am about to offer myself
for sale"
"You-you-" Casper suffered,
unable to believe his ears.
81 am about to offer myself for
SALE" she repeated. Casper, / do
not wish to appear conceited, but
there are several young men who
wish me to marry them, and 1 shall
accept one-for one thousand dollars
cash. l need the money. Father, you
know. is In the hospital. and the only
thing that will save his life is an op-
Grafton that will cost the amount |
have mentioned. 1t Will not be the
first time such a plan has beer used.
l read In the newspapers recently
about a New York girl who made a
similar offer, with a similar purpose
in view. and that gave me the idea.
The only assets we have are some
worthless mining stock, this home
which father has always lived in, and
and me. / am going to sell myself.
Goodby."
Casper went out. walking in a
trance of misery. 1t was Sunday,
and his services were not required
at the shoe store where he was en-
ployed; 50 he set out for n long
walk in the woods. He scarcely knew
where he wandered. his thoughts
were so busy. His dream was shat
tered, his heart broken, and he cared
little what happened. To think of
the girl he worshiped becoming the
bride of a man she did not love
for one thousand dollars
BY the time Casper had walked
three hours there was a different
heht III MS eyes, expressive OF a
combination OF determination n
u~esperatioh
WIN hurried steps ne made MS
wa! 10 'he mouse "here ne roonneu
anu poarueu' FROM a drawer OF his
dresser ne Drought a bank book,
"hich ne opened seated on the edge
OF the pea, ne Stared at an array OF
hgures, smiling grimly.
shes gong 10 sell herself for II
'housand dollars he unused. very
"eh' l VIII bny her myself. | o '
her ana nave just as much right
10 her as any OF those rich men,
ear threatened In Casper's eyes.
IL mad him three years to save
that thousand, and "A great deal OF