The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-18

Win MS trOpical proposal OF marriage
Elida tried to protest, but tho impas-
stoned millionaire released such hot tor
rent Of words that she finally gave in
Senior Piza, her father, was sent for. and
told of the proposal He seemed pleased
He respected Mr.. Crane. who was consider
ably older than himself, as a distinguished
and wealthy American of great taste, who
could give his daughter all the advantages
that befitted her beauty and position. Be-
sides, he would be more likely to settle
down than one Of the hot-blooded Dons of
the town. and his chivalrous bearing would
guarantee her future happiness.
But there were some formalities first.
For one thing Senior Piza explained. Mr..
Cranes family and reputation must be
carefully investigated before he could ex-
pect the family's final assent.
So Mr.. Crane fused and fumed for sew
eral weeks while this investigation was
going on: and in the middle Of it he re-
ceived cable calling him back to America
to settle some important litigation. The
affair that demanded his attention was
urgent. and yet he hated to go. Heaven
only knew what might happen in his a6.
-sence. The myriad of Elida's suitors, more
equal as TO age and family. might invade
the patio of her home and resume their
barber-shop chords. And Elida herself said
she was still not sure.
At last the millionaire hit upon scheme.
Calling upon the friend who had first in.
troduced him to his fiancee he induced him
to become his proxy In marriage should
Senior Pizas investigation of his past
prove satisfactory. This was communi
Gated to the family and agreed upon.
Mr.. Crane returned to America. On the
dock at New Orleans he was handed a
cablegram. Opening it he read
Il am your wife. ELIDA.'
The love.lorn millionaire uttered halle
lula, quickly transacted his business and
cabled for his bride to join him in New
Orleans
She arrived on the next boat, but with
an encourage that Mr.. Crane had not ex.
actly counted upon. In the party were her
father. duenna, sister, maid and the family
priest to perform second ceremony.
This was annoying. because there was no
prospect of Mr.. Crane being alone with his
bride at any time until the church cere.
mony had been performed. In fact, she
was as jealousy guarded as she had ever
been. especially by her father, who feared
that his son.in-law's enthusiasm might COM
promise his daughter In the eyes of those
who did not know they were already mar
ried. But the bridegroom managed 10 bear
until the ceremony was over and he was
able to ship his wifes family home, when
he returned to Chicago with all the cere-
mony of visiting and victorious general
To all of his friends and to the world
he said that from that moment on the num-
Der sixty referred to his chest measure.
ment and not to his years, and after pre-
senting his bride everywhere he took her
to the seclusion of wild Rose Farm" his
charming country estate near Chicago,
there TO live happily ever afterward.
Everyone shared the bridegroom's en-.
thusiastic appraisal Of the new Mrs. Crane.
She was pretty, well poised and talented.
She spoke English with the huency Of a
native. and French as well. having been
educated in the converts of England and
France. She was an accomplished dancer.
pianist and possessed fine lyric voice.
Moreover, she was obviously in love with
her husband, and things looked exception
ally bright.
But bark! Whose is that harsh voice
that disturbs the bissful tranquility of
Wild Rose Farm?
Is II possible that 1t comes from our
chivalrous knight in armor, Mr.. Crane?
Can 1t be true, as the pretty senorita
says, that he is ordering her to quit drink
ing coffee or get out of his home?
Unhappily, 1t is true That is just who II
is What a shame!
And whose voice is that, raised in tremu-
lous tears? Surely that cannot be fair
Elida! And yet Il is!
Mr.. Crane, she says, is now cutting her
household expenditures down to an mi,os-
sble limit, ordering her to give up her
servants and her charge accounts and
swearing to beat the band.
And can this be Mr.. Crane toiling home
ward from busy day in Chicago? What
are those parcels in his arms? Has he
bought his pretty bride some little pres
ents with an idea of making up? All, the
senorita's renewed cries of anguish tells
Av,s L. vSSnAA h.