The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1922-06-29

use II when you saw fit. / 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 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. IL regret
to say that her intentions have not al
tered"
"a loyal little hearth |" Blondin said,
gravely and contentedly. II knew
could depend upon her"
II said l wanted to see you on busi-
ness, Mr.. Blondin," Richard continued,
trying to keep impotence and con-
tempt out of his voice, land Wen keep
to business. don't know what your
circumstances are, of course"
He hesitated, and Blondin looked
at him with faint interest.
81 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 I" Richard said.
Blondin shrugged.
"She is quite willing to try It'll" he
reminded her father.
az know she Is! But how about
your" Richard asked. "You are not
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
come 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 1 intend to make my stand too
clear ever to permit of a retraction. l
shall forbid it-let the world know
that l forbid It,. 1 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 !"
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 have washed my hands of the
whole affair"
Blondin had no money, and lived
perpetually worried for money. His
credit would receive an immediate as
sistance from q marriage with Rich
ard Carriers daughter, to be sure, but
to sustain q credit for three years
upon that shadowy footing would be
extremely trying.
He liked Nina; despite his contempt
for the girl, there was 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
accepted and which rejected. Rail-
way fares, luncheons 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 cheerful outlook
with which to begin three years of
penniless matrimony. Royal, suavely
smiling, and smoking on the terrace,
wondered suddenly II 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 1 know my
mother sympathizes, and would be
glad to help you. But her affairs are
in my hands. She preferred 1t so,
when 1 offered her some securities
years ago, and 1t has always been so.
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 |
think she is glad OF It'll l believe she
would regret the-the inevitable
estrangement as much as l."
Richard had taken small slip
of tan paper from his pocket, and was
studying 1t thoughtfully. Royal saw
10 onH hio avao narrouad