American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1922-06-24

- S@DAAs
The marriage must be notorious
one. IN any case." Richard pursued.
For ] intend to make my stand too
clear ever to permit or retraction. ]
shall forbid it--let the world know
that I forbid II. shall forbid my
daughter the house, and her wedding
gift will be simply the clothes she hap.
pens to have. From Tuesday--her
eighteenth birthday--she viii turn to
you for her actual pocket money for
her theater tickets and cab fares"
II understand that perfectly I"
Royal said. serenely. But underneath.
while not moved from his intention, he
felt his customary assurance shaken.
"She Is extravagant, naturally" her
father said. "She will want new
gowns, want to display her new i'm
portance a little. Those bills will.
come to you, Mr.. Blondin. All the
world will know as well as you do
that have washed my hands Of the
whole affair.""
BlOndin had no money, and lived
with an extravaganza that kept him
perpetually worried for money. His
credit would receive an immediate as.
sistance from marriage with Rich
ard Carriers daughter, to be sure. but
to sustain credit for three years
upon that shadowy footing would be
extremely trying.
I. he liked Nina; despite his contempt
for the girl, there was q certain pity
Ing affection for her stubborn loyalty
and simplicity. But he knew exactly
what hideOus scenes must follow upon
his marriage with her. What gould he
do with her. even suppose him to have
borrowed money enough to make their
honeymoon q success? He imagined
her dawdling about his studio. imag-
ined his social standing as necessarily
affected, imagined Mr.. and Mrs. Royal
Blondin attempting to reach an agree.
ment as to which invitations would be
accepted and which rejected. Rail.
way fares. ,uncheons downtown, all
these cost money-lots Of money. Nina
would want to entertain 1.-THE girls"
And Royal had at present several seri.
GUS debts.
This was not q cheerful outlook
with which TO begin three years Of
penniless matrimony. Royal. suavely
smiling. and smoking on the terrace,
wondered suddenly II old Madame
Carter who had always been his cham
pion. would help out.
But Richard seemed to read his
thought.
"Nina has appealed to her grand
mother" he said. "and I know my
mother sympathizes, and would be
glad to help you. But her affairs are
In my hands. She preferred 1t so
when ] offered her some securities
years ago, and II has always been So
Her bank account receives a monthly
check; she sends all her household
bills to my secretary. Fox. He o. KS
and pays them. Consequently. she is
not able to act in this matter, and ]
think she is glad Of It! believe she
would regret the-the inevitable
estrangement as much as l."
Richard had taken small slip
of tan paper from his pocket and was
studying 1t thoughtfully. Royal saw
IT, and his eyes narrowed.
Now, Mr.. Blondin," Nina's father
said. simply, "Pm u business man.
can't beat about the bush, and call
things by pretty names. I want favor
Of you, and I'm willing to pay for II.
! telephoned you this morning that ]
wanted to see you on matter Of
business. This is my proposition"
He leaned forward, and Royal saw
the paper. He boosted to women Of
his indifference to money. II was true,
but as with all adventurers, II held
first place In his thoughts. No man
Who was In debt could look upon that
check unmoved. Royal might win at
cards tonight, to be sure; Carter
might weaken tomorrow, It was true.
But this check bore his name, and II
was sure.
To enter the bank, with Richard
Carriers check for so substantial an
amount. to deposit II, exchange care
less word with the cashier, to write
his check for the overdue rent, with
n casual apology to play bridge again,
this evening, with young Bellamy, and
this time win back the accursed check
~ his own, as he knew he would win
IL.
Just one moment, Mr.. Carter. You
shy that you and know what mar.
Rage Is. How do you reconcile It with
your knowledge Of Nina. your knowi-
'ge Of her upbrInging, to plan DELHI
rately what would make our marriage
'-or any neutrality-suspicious. to
failure from the start? l didn't spoil
Nhn didn't form her tastes. She
ms thought of herself ms an helress,
she has spent money. lived luxurious
~. ! only ask fair chance. Make
Il ~ allowance. II you like. Keep the
natter In the family; don't blaze to
i'.e world that you disappr0vel Many
u less.promising marriage has turned
oat II brilliant success. She loves me.