The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-28
EDening Story
For Sale.
~ R. RAY BAKER.

1t was no great surprise to be
turned down by Christine Wenslow, |
but it was a bitter disappointment.
Frankly Casper Hopkins had admit
ted repeatedly to himself that there
was no reason why the most beautiful
girl in Waterford should look on him
with favor. There were handsome |
suitors who lowered about her thresh- |
old, and when the good looks had
been distributed Casper must have
been absent, for he was very plain
looking your man. There were ath-
letes who aspired to her hand, and in
physical dimensions and strength Cas-
per made a 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 in
terest some time soon.
But he had hoped against hope, and
now his heart was broken. Having
received the fatal answer, he turned
from Christine and slowly, with eyes
downcast, approached the door OF her
home, which he vowed he never would
darken again once he stepped out into
the dark world.
Casper"
Her voice arrested him as he was
turning the knob.
Christine sat on davenport, in a
detected posture, looking at him with
lack-luster eyes.
said. "I will explain some things to
you. INTENDED keeping it from you,
but I feel it is due you. You have
been very nice to me-"
He sat on the davenport beside her.
ST will not Ynince words she told
him. speaking rapidly. 1.-The fact is,
Casper. 1. am about to offer myself
for SALE"
"You-you-' Casper suffered,
unable to believe his ears.
at am about to offer myself for
SALE" she repeated. Casper, I do not
are several young men who wish me
to marry them, and shall accept one
for one thousand dollars cash.
need the money. Father. you know. is
in the hospital, and the only thing
that will save his life is an operation
toned. 1t will not be the first time
such a plan has been used. I read in
the newspapers recently about New
York girl who made a similar offer,
with similar purpose in view, and
that gave me the idea. The only as
sets we have are some worthless min
| ing stock. this home which father has
always lived in. and-and me. I am
going to sell myself. Goodby."
Casper went out, walking in a trance
OF misery. It was Sunday. and his
services were not required at the shoe
store where he was employed; SO he
set out for a long walk in the woods.
He scarcely knew where he wandered,
his thoughts were so busy. His dream
was shattered, his heart broken, and
he cared little what happened. To
think of the girl he worshipped be-
coming the bride Of a man she did
not love--for one thousand dollarsi
By the time Casper had walked
three hours there was different light
in his eyes, expressive of a combina-
ton Of determination and despera-
ton.
| With hurried steps he made his way
to, the house where he roomed and
boarded. From a drawer of his
dresser he brought bank book, which
he opened. Seated on the edge of the
bed. he stared at an array Of figures,
smiling grimly.
shes going to sell herself for
| thousand dollars he unused. VERY
well. will buy her myself. 1 love her
and have just as much right to her
as any of those rich men"
Tears threatened in Casper's eyes.
1t had taken him three years to save
that thousand, and a great deal of
pinching and scraping. He had in
| mind the purchase of an interest in
the shoe store where he worked, and
he had put off asking Christine to
marty uIlliI ne ldQ accumulated
the necessary amount to go into bust
ness. Now. IL he married Christine.
according to her own terms, it would
/ mean starting all over again. But
Casper's mind was made up. He.
wanted Christine, even if he had to
buy her.
But Casper felt he would be I'M
equal to the task of appearing in per-
| son to bid for Christine So the next
morning. before he went to work, he
penned a brief note. He carried this
to work with him, and when the
funds and Immediately transferred
| them to checking account. Then he
wrote check for a thousand dollars
and inclosed it with the note. He
! had exactly SIS left to his credit in
the bank.
| With peculiar feeling, something
| like guilt, Casper dropped the note in
! mail box and returned to his Ia
bors. That very night he received an
answer from Christine, and in the
envelope with the short epistle was
| his check
Dear Casper" ran the missive, 'T
am returning your check, for / cannot
accept your offer. You must see that
We never could be happy after such
an arrangement. A man could not
| love wife he bought, and she would
| be miserable. 1 do not expect to be
ndppy, Dut tnere Is no reason why you
should share my misery. Besides,
you need the money. I will not let
you sacrifice yourself this way. 1t
| will have to be some one else"
At first Casper felt angry, but this
feeling did not last. Instead of the
| look of determination and desperation
/ that had been shining from his eyes
there gradually appeared a light of
mingled resignation and self sacrifice
| That night he mailed another note to
Christine, along with the check. The
note said:
| would not be happy. But there is
| another way out for you. am send
| ing the check again, and it is not to
be considered as Jour purchase price.