The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1922-06-15

Gus debts.
This was not a cheerful Outlool
with which to begin three years o
pennileSS matrimOny. Royal. suavei.
/ smiling. and smoking on the terrace
| wondered suddenly If old MADAME
Carter. who had always been his cham
pion. would help out.
But Richard seemed to read hi
/ thought
nina has appealed 70 her grand
/ mother" he said, land / know m,
I mother sympathizes, and would bt
glad 10 help you. But her affairs are
In my hands. She preferred il so
when I offered her some securities
years ago. and II has always been so
Her bank account receives a monthly
check she sends all her household
hills 20 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 IL | believe she
would regret the-the inevitable
estra ngeInent as much as l."
Richard had taken small slip
Of tan paper from HIS pocket. and was
studying II thoughtfully Royal saw
n. and his eyes narrowed.
"Now. Mr.. Bl0ndIn," Nina's father
said. simply. I'm a business man. j
can't beat about the bush and call
things by pretty names. | want IA favor
of YOU. and I'm willing to pay for H.
I telephoned you this morning that I
wanted 20 SEQ you on matter Of
business. This Is my proposition"
lie leaned forward. and Royal saw
the paper He boosted 10 women Of
his indifference to money. II was true,
but as with all adventurers. IL 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, II was true.
Bur this check bore his name. and II
was sure.
To enter the bank, with Richard
Carriers check for 50 substantial an
amount. to deposit il, exchange n care
less word with the cashier, to write
his check fOr the overdue rent, with
q casual apology; 20 play bridge again,
this evening, with young Bellamy. and
this time win back the accurSed check
OF bis own. as he knew he would win
r..
Just one moment, Mr. Carter. You
say that you and / know what mar
riage IS. How do YOU reconcile II with
our knowledge Of Nina. your knowI-
Edge OF her upbrlnging. to plan DELHI
prately what would make our marriage
or any marriage-fOredoOm to
failure from the startI / didn't spoil
Nina. l didn't form her tastes. She
has thought OF herself as an heiress,
she has spent money. lived luxurious
". | only ask fair chance Make
L an allowance, IL you like Keep the
matter in the family; don't blaze 10
he world that you diSapprove Many
! less-promising marriage has turned
1ut brilliant success. She loves me.
II am devoted 10 her. / see ire
nendous possibilities In heri"
"She loves you as child does. and
because she doesn't know YOU" Rich
lrd said. infiexibly. but you haven't
leard what | propose. Blondln. Hear
ne out. l give you this now. today,
N condition that before tonight you
ak TO Nina. Represent anything you
Wish 20 her. Tell her what you please. |
But convince her that she must wait |
or two years-with no letters, no |
meetings. no eRgagement-that's all.
"On my part, promise that nobody |
n the world, not Mrs Carter. not any |
,Ody. Will hear OF this for two years /
rom today, at least. Meanwhile. wen |
muse Nina. Her grandmother wants
o take her to Santa Barbara next |
wants both the young
tiers on his ranch this summer. or she
nay go with me 70 Brazil. She'll have
nOugh TO think about. Well not hurt
GU with her, you may take my word
Or II. And l tell you frankly that !
hall be deeply grateful. I'm not pay
lg you for giving her up. I'm paying
on for two years delay. Young Hopper
IN be at the Gardeners this summer
she likes him, and he likes heri
Feil. that's speculation" Richard dis
Kissed IL with mogement of his fine
ands. But Wen distract herr he
romised. Hopper may buy a ranch
W tHtft-tAlht SUIT VI lnliiS DuiSHt |
ut Nina down to the ground r.
BUY IL with Nlna's money" Royal
,uld not help sneering.
Richard eyed him In surprise.
"When Joe Hopper died he left that
oy's mother something in the mill
ons." he said. There's an immense
state" And then. with a reversion
} business: "COme. now, Mr.. Blon-
In. We understand each other.
ina's dining nj the Bellamys to-
ght; you're staying there. VIII you
e herr
The check fiuttered to the table be-
veen them. There was a long silence.
hen Blondln ground out his cigarette
stone saucer. rose. in all the easy
,auty of his white summer clothes,
s flowing scarf. his dark. romantic
cks. He lifted his straw hat. put II
/. picked up his stick. and laid II on
q table. Then he took the check
I'd read II thoughtfully.
Thank youl" he said. Yet the
ameful thing struck him, an adept
wv In evadlng and lying. as surpris-