Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1922-03-16
The Broken
Engagement
By wINIFRED DUNLAP

Copyright. 1924. western Newspaper Union
'Fm in a trap. that's what amp
yociferated Martin Dalton, "and
you've got to help me out Of 1t"
Hugh Wayne. lawyer, smiled slight
~. He did not hide an irrepressibie
sentiment of contempt for his fussy,
erratic client
II heard she was heiress to big
estate" continued Dalton. "Come to |
| find out, she has simply an interest
in a lawsuit that may drag along for
years, and when 1t winds up all the
funds will go for litigation. You're my |
lawyer-rve come to- you for advice"
well, what do YOU expect me TO
DOR questioned Wayne.
II am engaged to Mis- Croydon.
want to break the engagement!
want you to help me get 1t rumored
around that I've lost a lot OF money.
Thatll fl& things sureP
Wayne neither assented nor dis:
sented to this suggestion. He had
met Vera Croydon more than once.
Her sterling charitable nature had ap-
pealed to him strongly. His lie had
been a lonely one.
Now he was glad that this peerless
woman was not to marry Dalton.
During the next two or three days
Wayne learned how Miss Croydon, her
sisters married off, the freshness OF
girlhood passed away, longing for a
home and companionship, had accept
ed an offer Of marriage as refuge
from loneliness.
In about week the town was
II startled, then interested and then all
gossip and tattle over rumors OF the
/. financial ruin Of Dalton. Then, one
morning. Dalton came into the law
yer's office.
"Well, / suppose you know I'm
bankrupt" he gloated.
Eyes, it's all over town." nodded
Wayne.
81 have written to Miss Croydon.
! telling her of my changed fortunes.
3 suppose she will be down here to see
E you, limiting about disappointment,
. balm for a broken heart, and all
9 that"
: II doubt it." observed Wayne, dry
4 ly. !.
"Oh, you don't know women as l
! do! Well, then, If she is at all OBJ
c streperous, I'll give her thousand
a dollars to let me off. Fix 1t up with
r her. I've had a narrow escape"
1t was with difficulty that Wayne
0 could endure the coarse, offensive bar
e gaining of the selfish, calculating Dali
n ton. but he was his chief client, and
i it was. policy to remain negative.
Just as he was leaving his office that
;, afternoon a visitor entered, who
u seemed to bring with her an air redo
l. lent of flowers; the. fresh air enc the
IS subtle charm Of rare womanly dig
IS nifty and beauty. It was Vera Croy-
doh, and the heart Of the young law
:, Yer beat faster as he recognized her.
- ~ have come to ask you to speak
~ for me to Mr.. Dalton" she said with
10 downcast eyes. "In all honor he paid
)" me the compliment Of asking me to
CT become his wife. / learn now that he
Id has lost his fortune. gave my prom
ct ise-I cannot break it. His poverty
lie will make no difference to me-"
id Wayne was amazed. Then he
nj fancied he read between the lines
10 This noble woman respected solemn
II pledge. She must know she was sac
- rificing herself, but she stood firm.
Oe He would not tell her of the money
nc offer, of the real sentiments Of Dial
~ ton. To his intense satisfaction bal
10 ton happened into the Office at tina
Id moment. In polite, easy way
e. Wayne managed to leave them in con
as sultation. He walked up and dowI
the corridor while they were con
:, yersing. Finally, Dalton came on
=, with the activity of man escaping
~ something he dreaded
VI Engagement Cancelled! Let me OF
ch without penny" jubilated the heart
", less mercenary. Keen-witted Hug
r. Wayne could not fail to read the ex
ct. preston Of relief he noticed on tn
&C. face of Miss Croydon.
TO II fear l have grazed serious mis-
10 take" she said, with bright smile
i and the soul of Wayne took hope.
On Somehow he got to calling upo
her. Then he became interested /
:" the great lawsuit, which involved he
Inherited fortune. One day, severe
n months later, Dalton met the lawye
Id, on the street.
~ say" he observed, Il see in tn
papers that Miss Croydon has won hi
fortune, after ALI"
"Yes," assented Wayne.
"Wish Ed stuck to her," remarke
II Dalton. "You helped as her lawye
Al didn't your Big fee, suppose"
uc "The best in the world" declare