Omaha daily bee., 1921-09-04
By ELIZABETH JORDAN

you're such u big person that It's going 10 TAKE
some planning 20 make you eomforlabls'"
"But-you will ne me in?"
"of course We will" she began with de-
cision, then stopped abruptly, Unless Mother
should object" she ended on nat note II
don't know how l could do IL, but the truth 10
that for . moment forgot all about her
The discovery amazed her. How could she
have forgotten Mother--she who had never for
gotten Mother before!
"How much do you think It would be fair
for mo TO pay--annually--
She flushed deeply How drsadful-how ter
ribly tactless OF Dick 10 bring UP this question
now! But II was piek--and she must try TO re.
member that she had known and dreamed OF
him since she was child. He was not this
stranger whose presence 30 oddly disturbed ana
thrilled her,
Suppose Aunt Caroline consents" he went
on, "and you crowd me into the little hat What.
at a rough estimate. do you think ought TO
pay? ] have curiosity to know right now'
I'll explain later"
"Well--why, how can one tell. We don't
keep boarders you know" Dorothea's over
taxed nerves went back on her TO this extent.
but remorse seized her when she saw his ex'
preston. Forgive me-" she said quickly. ITO
make up for being so nasty. I'll answer your
question though it's premature. III suppose
we could arrange if-you-if you" Heavens,
how hard II was TO bring ont the words!-"n
you paid, say. six or eight hundred year
"six or eight hundred a year. he repeated
softly. as II considering the amount
"Do you think that is too muchY Is II more
than what you had In mnd! Dorotheas iaco
was still flaming
mo don't think It's too much" He smiled
at her ut Is less than the sum had In mind.
lust thought It would be interesting to nave
your idea. Nine" he added, cooly. lis that
we must move"
''Iye been looking around" he explained ig'
noring her interruption. you see. I've been In
New York several days. didn't want to call on
you till got my new outfit. he added frankly
"but could 60 around and look at flats In my
old clothes, so did. ! made list OF three or
four thought you'd like--and were at the nrst
one now," he calmly ended
Dorothea opened her lips to speak, ana closeo
them again. The Limousine had stopped at tho
entrance Of a superb apartment building on Park
avenue and Dick was already on the sidewalk,
holding the door open and helping her OUT. In
the inner hall an unctuous agent awaited them
obviously by appointment
Two minutes later she found herself in .
large living room, with big open fireplace,
whose three double front windows overlooked
the avenue while two more opened on an ex-
elusive cross street. Back OF this was library
lined with built-in shelves, and music room'
both giving on a square central hall. Open doors
II
rooms.
'.Lots Of air and sunlight" commented Dick,
ignoring her stunned silence. Here's the suite
thought might suit your mother"
He led her into charming bedroom, sitting
room and private BATH, the two rooms also
facing the avenue. Her trained nurse can s1eep
here" he added, indicating the sitting room. u
fancy she'll need nurse most Of the time from
now on to be really comfortable. And here's
the pair Of rooms picked for you. Now come
and sec the dining room and kitchen ana tho
servants quarters" II ... -
They were as perfect and as admirably ar
ranged as tho rest OF the fourteen-room apart
ment The servants had their own sitting room,
their own bath. On the way to these rooms he
casually showed her the bedroom, dressing room,
and bath he had reserved for himself at the rear
Had to have two rooms" he explained. i've
got Jap servant who has been with me for sew
eral years. When he's here he'll help with the
work if you like him. II you don't, he'll keep
out Of your way"
It was at this point that Dorothea found her
voice. The agent had removed from them the
dignity Of his presence. She seized Dicks arm
and asked a question.
whats the rent Of ths?"
Twelve thousand year." a
twelve thou-! Dick are you crazy?"
There's. a very good dining room on the
ground floor" said Dick placidly, with an ex-
cellent chef and house staff. lunched here
yesterday to try it, But we won't bother with
that very often. We want real home, with
home cooking and servant troubles and all that
sort Of thing, don't we?" His face fell. Don't
you like It"
TITS simply perfect. But Dick" Miss
Hutton took firm grasp on nerves and common
sense-"My income is three thousand . year!"
II don't what that's got to DO with It,"
"You don't? Well, do." Her voice was
rather cold. Besides the rent, 1t would cost
twelve or fifteen thousand year to run such an
apartment"
He nodded.
That's what the agent said. Well" he
looked around, I'VE could be very comfortable
here. But II you'd rather look further"
Dorothca swallowed something that rose in
her throat.
IT suppose" she began, "the whole thing is a
joke"-and then her voice broke. 1t was such a
stupid joke--such cruel joke-and SO unlike
the Dick she had known.
He grasped her hands and spoke breathlessly
"Heres the home I've dreamed of--with you
to share it and run it. Don't you see? can
pay for it, but you're the only person In the
world who can make it home-who can make
my odd dream come true"
"But-Dck-I can't take 1t in! It's all so
sudden and confusing"
II know. l bungled it--abominably But It
was part Of my dreams to surprise you. I'm
more practical than / seem. Here's our future
home, If you approve Of it and me! For. o
Dolly, want you to marry me. 1t isn't Just
because I've made a fortune and want to take
care OF you. You don't need me-in that way
Your stepfather's stake in my Oil fields will
make you and your mother comfortable the rest
Of your lives. It's because love you, because
there's never been any girl in my life but
you-"
Dorothea drew her hands away.
Don't say any more" she begged "Dick,
Dick, let me think!"
Il don't dare to let you think. I know I'll
get you now never. It's my hour, IL I'm
ever to have one Dolly Dolly, you were glad
to see me when I came! can never forget
thosa tears, Think of what our lives can hA