The Holbrook news., 1922-03-17

i teIepnOned you this morning that wanted to see you on matter of business. This is my proposition"
 He leaned forward. and Royal saw the paper. He boasted to women of Ills indifference to money. it was true, but as with all adventurers, it 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, It was true. But this check bore his name, and 1t was sure.
 To enter the bank. with Richard Car,er's check for so 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 apology; to play bridge again, this evening, with young Bellamy, and this time win back the accursed check of his own. as he knew he would win it.
 Just one moment, Mir. Carter. You say that you and l know what mar riage is. How do you reconcile it with your knowledge of Nina, your knowl- edge of her upbringing. t0 plan delib- ernteiv what would make our marriage or any marriage-foredoom to failure from the start? l didn't spoil Nina. didn't form her tastes. She has thought of herself as an heiress. she has spent money, lived luxurious ly. I only ask a fair chance. Make it an allowance. if you like. Keep the matter in the family; don't blaze to the world that you disapprove. Many u IeSs-promiSing marriage has turned out a brilliant success. She loves me. Fl am devoted to her. see tre- mendous possibilities in her!'
 ''She loves you as a child does. and because she doesn't know you" Rich ard said. inflexibly. ''But you haven't heard what propose. Blondin. Hear ne out. l give you this now. today, on condition that before tonight you talk to Nina. Represent anything you wish to her. Tell her what you please. But convince her that she must walt for two years-with no letters. no meetings, no engagement-that's all.
 "On my part. I promise tEat nobody in the world not Mrs. Carter, not any body. will hear of this for two years from today, at least. Meanwhile. we'll amuse 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 go with me to Brazil. She'll have enough to think about. We'll 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 Hopper will be at the Gardiners' this summer she likes him. and he likes her Well, that's speculation" Richard dis missed it with a movement of his fine hands. But we'll distract her," he promised. Hopper may buy ranch out there-that sort of thing might suit Nina down to the grouEdi"
 Buy it with Nina's money" Royal could not help sDeering.
 Ricl,afd eyed him in surprise.
 "When Joe Hopper died he left that hOy's mother something in the mil IionS,' he said. There's an immense estate" And then. with reversion to business: Come. now. Mir. Blon- din. We understand each other. Nina's dining at the Bellamys to- night; you're staying there. Will you see her?'
 The check fluttered to the table be tween them. There was q long silence. Then Blondin ground out his cigarette in stone saucer. rose, in all the easy beauty Of his white summer clothes lis flowing scarf. his dark. romantic locks. He lifted his straw hat. put it on, picked up his stick, and laid it on the table. TLcn he took the cheek and read it iAoughifully.
 Thank your he said. Yet the shameful thing struck him. an adept now il. evading and lying, as surpris- ingly easy. and as ne sauntered away In the June warmth and silence, il was not of Nina. or her father, or even of himself that he was thinking.
 He had met the widow of Joe Hop rer a few nights ago: faded little pleasant woman of fifty. rathetically grateful for his casual pOliteHess in Ter strangeness cnd shyness. He he;: chanced, quite fly and accidentally. to make an impression on her. She had promised to come to the studio and look at his rugs.
 Royal wondered w;iy sine dressed so badly; she needed simple materials and flowing lines. He heard himself telling her so.
 
 Richard sat on. on the terrace, and presently his mother came out and joined him. Wasn't he, the old lady asked deliberately, going
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