Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-04-20

And She Tried by a Very Faint STIR.
ring Of Her Fingers TO Free Them,
and Finding Them Held, Dropped
Her Eyes Again.
and body, slept hour after glorious
hour. Richard. returning from golf
for a late luncheon, asked for her. Mrs.
Carter was still asleep, Bottomley as
sured him, and received orders not to
disturb her. But when Mr.. Blondin
called, Richard told the butler, he was
to be shown to the terrace at once.
81 had your message" Royal said, as
al opening.
you've not seen Nina today?" Nj
mas father asked.
II broke an engagement with her at
the club" the other man assured him.
1--WE will probably meet at the Bel
lamys', at dinner this evening"
"Ah, 1t was about that I wished to
speak" Richard paused. and Blondin
watched him with polite interest.
"You have held your knowledge of Mrs.
Carter Of a sort Of weapon for some
months" Richard said, presently ITO
nse 4 when you saw it.y / have al
ways been In my wife's confidence"
He paused, but for no reason that
Blondin could divine. As a matter Of
fact, II gave Richard a sudden and un-
expected pleasure to speak Of her 90.
to realize that he really might give the
most wonderful title In the world 70
this beautiful and spirited woman.
~And l have also talked with Nina
this morning." he went on. II regret
to say that her intentions have not al
tered"
"A loyal little hearth" Blondin said,
gravely and contentedly. II knew I
could depend upon heri"
II said / wanted to lei you on bust
ness, MIR. BlondIn," Richard continued,
trying to keep impotence and con-
tempt out Of his voice, "and wen keep
to business. ! don't know what your
circumstances are, Of course"
He hesitated, and Blondin looked
at him with a faint interest.
II live simply" he said. "Nina's
money will be all her own"
nina will have no money, not one
f1ve-cent piece, for exactly three
yearsi" Richard said.
Blondin shrugged.
"She is quite willing to try ltF he
reminded her father.
" know she Isl But how about
your Richard asked. "You are not q
boy, y0u have some idea Of what mar
riage means. For three years you
must take care Of her, dress her.
amuse her, satisfy her that she has
not made a'mistake. Then she does
come into her money--yes. But three
years is a long time In which to keep
her certain that the wisest thing she
can do 10 turn 1t Over to you"
He paused; Blondin smoked indper-
turbabiy.
'The marriage must be q notorious
one, in any case" Richard pursued.
'FOr ! intend to make my stand too
clear ever to permit Of q r~etraction. I
shall forbid it--let the world know
that I forbid 1t. I shall forbid my
daughter the house, and her wedding
gift viii be simply the clothes she hap
pens to have. From Tuesday--her
eighteenth birthday--she will turn TO
You fOE her actpal pocket money, for
her theater tickets and cab fares.s
II understand that ~perfectiyFn
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 viii want new
gowns, want to display her new Inn
portance a little. Those bills win
come to you, Mr.. Blondin. All the
world will know as wen az you DO
that ! have washed my hands Of the
whole AFFAIR.
Blondin had no money, and lived
with an extravagance that kept him
perpetually worried for money. His
credit would receive an immediate o.
sistanea from q marriage with Rich
ard Carriers daughter. 70 be sure, but
to sustain d credit for three pears
upon that shadowy footing would be
extremely trying.
He liked Nina; despite his contempt