Mexico weekly ledger., 1922-04-20
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Tor the gfrl, there was Q certain ply
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 SUGGEST He imagined
her dawdling about his studio. mag
med 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. ~iuncheons downtown. all.
these cost money-lots of money. Nina
would want to entertain "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 OF the terrace,
wondered suddenly If 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, land / 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 1t has always been sc.
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 i
think she Is glad Of I'll I believe she
would regret the-the inevitable
estrangement as much as l."
Richard had taken a small slip
Of tan paper from his pocket, and was
studying It thoughtfully. Royal saw
Il, and his eyes narrowed.
snow, Mr.. Biondin," Nina's father
said, simply, "Im a business man. !
can't beat about the bush, and call
things by pretty names. l want a favor
Of you, and I'm willing to pay for 1t.
I telephoned you this morning that !
wanted to see you on a 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, 1t 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, 1t vas true.
But this check bore his name, and 1t
was sure.
To enter the bank, with Richard
Carriers check for 80 substantial an
amount, to deposit it, exchange a care
less word with the cashier, to write
his check for the overdue rent, with
a casual apeaegy to play bridge again,
this evening, with young Bellamy, and
this time WIN back the accused check
OF his own, as he knew he wouid win
II, . .1sVS 10,
"Just one moment, Mr.. Carter. You
say that you and I know what mar
rage Is. How do You reconcile Il with
your knowledge Of Nina, your knowl-
edge Of her ~upbringing, to plan dellb-
esately what would make our marriage
--or any Observation-Disclosures 70
failure from the start7 / didn't spoil
Nina, I didn't form her tastea. She
has thought OF herself 40 an heiress,
she has spent money, lived luxurious
". l only ask a fair chance. Make
It an allowance. II you like. Keep the
matter in the family; don't blaze to.
the world that you disapproyel Many
a ~less-promising marriage has turned
out q brilliant success. She loves me.
FL am devoted to her. ! see ire
mendous possibilities In heri"
"She loves you rs a child does, and
because she doesn't know you" Rich
ard said, inflexibly. "But you haven't
heard what I propose, 'Blondin. Hear
me out. I give you this now, today.
on condition that before tonight you
talk to Nina. Represent anything you
wish to her. Tell her what youeplease.
But convince her that she must wait
for two y~ears-with no letters, no
meetings, no engagement--that's all.
ION my part, ] promise that nobody
In the world. not Mrs. Carter, not any
body, will hear Of this for two years
from today, at least. Meanwhile, wen
annuse Nina. Her grandmother wants
to take her to Santa Barbara next
fall-Gardiner wants both the young
sters on his ranch this summer, or she
may 60 with me to Brazil. She'll have
enough to think about. Wen not hurt
you with her you may take my word
for It. And I tell You frankly that /
shall be deeply grateful. I'm not pay
ing You for giving her up. I'm paying
you for two years delay. Young I'D 81
win be at the Gardinets' this summer
-she likes him. and be likes heri
Well, that's speculation" Richard dis
missed II with a movement Of his fine
hands. 'But wen distract herr" he
promised. Hopper may buy d ranch
out there-that sort Of thing might
suit Nina down to the groundi"
@Buy IL with Nina's money Royal
could not help sneering.
Richard eyed him i~nseurprise.
when Joe Hopper died he LEFT that
boys mother something In the mil
Ions" he said. There's an immense
estate" And then, with a ~reyersicn
to business: "Come. now, Mr.. Blon-
din. We understand each other.
Nina's dining at the Bellamys to-
night; you're staying Here. yvili you
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