The herald., 1922-05-04

. her certain that the wiseSt thing she |
/ can do is turn II over 10 YOU
He paused: BlondIn smoked imper-
| turhahly.
"The marriage must be notorious
one, in any case Richard pursued.
For l intend to make my stand too
clear ever TO permit Of retraction. l
shall forbid it-let the world know
that l 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 will turn TO
you for her actual pocket money, for
her theater tickets and cab fares"
81 understand that perfectly"
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 I 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 a marriage with Rich
ard Carter's daughter, TO be sure, but
to sustain a credit for three years
upon that shadOwy footing would be
extremely trying.
He liked Nina despite his contempt
for the girl, there was a 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 could he
do with her, even suppose him to have
/ borrowed money enough to make their
honeymoon a 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
r accepted and which rejected. Rail-
i way fares, luncheOns downtown, all
. these cost mOney-lots of money. Nina
| would want to entertain "the girls.
s And Royal had at present several seri'
f Gus debts.
!. This was not a cheerful outlook
: with which to begin three years OF
o penniless matrimony. Royal, suavely
q smiling, and smoking on the terrace
s wondered suddenly If old Madame
Carter, who had always been his cham
s pion, would help out.
But Richard seemed to read hi:
J. thought.
nina has appealed to her grand
t mother" he said. land l know m!
l. mother sympathizes, and would b
/ glad to help you. But her affairs arr
in my hands. She preferred = SO
o when I offered her some securitie
n years ago, and it has always been SO
[. Her bank account receives a MONTH,
5. check; she sends all her household
e bills to my secretary, Fox. He o. X
% and pays them. Consequently, she /
J. not able to act in this matter, and
:" think she is glad of 1t! l believe sh
~ ! WOULD regret lDt-lllc lhCNlluDi
If estrangement as much as l."
n Richard had taken a small sill
o, of tan paper from his pocket, and wa
lie studying it thoughtfully. Royal say
70 II, and his eyes narrowed.
Now. Mr.. Blondin," Nina's fathe
IA said. simply, I'm a business man.
ct can't beat about the bush, and ca
j. things by pretty names. want favo
Of YOU, and I'm willing to pay for 1
d, I telephoned you this morning that
1 wanted to see you on a matter G
business. This is my proposition"
IL He leaned forward, and Royal sa'
d, the paper. He boosted to women {
n his indifference to money, 1t was tru
but as with all adventures, 1t hel
first place in his thoughts. No ma
y who was in debt could look upon thf
check unmoved. Royal might win
4 cards tonight, to be sure; Carte
1 might weaken tomorrow, 1t was tru
But this check bore his name, and
was sure.
To enter the bank, with Richar
], Carriers check for so substantial a
Z amount to deposit it, exchange car
n less word with the cashier, to wri
g his check for the overdue rent, wit
y a casual apology; to play bridge agai
, this evening, with young Bellamy, ar
n this time win back the accused chez
; of his own, as be knew he would w
II. ..
h "y1st one moment, Mr.. Carter. Yo
i say that you and I know what ma
p rage is. How do you reconcile 1t vii
\ YOUR knowledge of Nina, your know
q edge of her upbringing, to plan dell
\ erately what would make our marrial