The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-03-30

And she Tried by a very Faint Stir
ring of Her Fingers to Free Them,
and Finding Them Held, Dropped
Her Eyes Again.
disturb her. But when Mr.. Blondin
called, Richard told the butler. he was
to be shown to the terrace at once.
II had your message" Royal said, as
an opening.
you've not seen Nina today?' Nj
mas father asked.
Il 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, it was about that l wished to
speak," Richard paused, and Blondin
watched him with polite interest.
you have held your knowledge of Mrs.
Carter as a sort of weapon for some
MONTHS" Richard said, presently, ito
use 1t when you saw fit. l have al
ways been in my wife's confidence"
He paused, but for no reason that
Blondin could divine. AS matter of
fact, it gave Richard a sudden and un-
expected pleasure to speak Of her so,
to realize that he really might give the
most wonderful title in the world to
this beautiful and spirited woman.
"And / have also talked with Nina
this morning." he went on. II regret
to say that her intentions have not al
tered"
"A loyal little heartl |" Blondin said.
grayely and contentedly. Il knew 1
coItld denend uDon har I"
~ said wanted to see you on busi-
ness, Mr.. Blondin." Richard continued.
trying to keep impatience and con-
tempt out of his voice, land we'll keep
to business. l 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
five-cent piece, for exactly three
years !" Richard said.
BlOndin shrugged.
"She is quite willing to try 1t" he
reminded her father.
II know she is! But how about
your Richard asked. You are not a
boy, you have some idea of what mar
rage 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
cone into her money-yes. But three
years is a long time in which to keep
her certain that the wisest thing she
can do is turn 1t over to you."
He paused; Blondin smoked imper-
turbably.
"The marriage must be a notorious
one, in any case" Richard pursued.
"For / intend to make my stand too
clear ever to permit of a retraction.
shall forbid it-let the world know
that l forbid it. l 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"
II understand that perfectly I"
Royal said. serenely. But underneath,
while not moved from his intention, he
felt his customary assurance shaken.
Sne is eA'iaNasah'' any hef
father said "She will want new
gowns. want to display her new i'm
portance n 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"
B;ondin had no money, and lived
with an extravaganza that kept him
ncrpetnally worried for money. His
credit would receive an immediate as
sis.nnce from marriage with Rich
ir,l Carriers daughter. TO he sure. but
C sustain credit for three years
lpon that shadowy footing would be
xtremely trying.
lie liked Nina; despite his contempt