The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-20

stapleotn. 1 Just couldn't help II"
At 8 Harold Shipway, feeling
much less lonely than he had felt
earlier In the day, was taking his
departure. 1t was as he parted
that Mildred offered her wager.
Really there's no reason why
Stapleton shouldn't open its doors
to you. l am going to make a
wager that within a week you'll
have been invited to dinner at
one OF the big houses-the LOT
tons or the Holdridges' or the
Palmers'-some Of the really
prominent people"
I'D rather be invited to the
Browns" protested Harold. but
Ill take you up. What shall II
be-a five pound box Of chocolates
to"
IAN invitation to dinner" sug-
gested Mildred.
So the wager was made.
What Mildred did the next day
and the next day she excused her.
self for on the ground that she was
doing kind act to some one who
needed 1t very much. When she
went to the Lotions to give little
Helene her music lesson ~she
CHANGED to see Mrs. Lotion. Quite
adroitly she spoke about her vari,
Gus pupils, mentioned Mr.. Shipway
and said: TITS rather odd that any
one with the prospects he has
should chose to live of here among
strangers Mrs. Lotion was inter.
ested. "Prospects?" she Queried
and Mildred murmurel something
about a great.uncle worth $1,000,
900 who had made Harold his sole
heir.
At the Palmers she repeated the
same falsehood. 1t was Mildred's
first deliberate lie, but she felt jus.
titled. ut vii. get them interest.
ed" she said to herself. when
they know him they'll like him SO
much they won't care whether he
has money or not. And they'll only
blame me, and l can say heard It
indirectlx-I don't care what they
think Of me anyway"
A week later Harold came for his
music lesson. He brought with him
the box Of candy. II lose" he said.
"StapletOn has begun TO be friend,
ly.
The Lotions asked me to dinner
and so did the Palmers. went to
the Lotions. but had to decline the
Palmers because their invitation
was for tonight, and told them
had a previous invitation. You will
let me stay to supper again, won't
you, please?"
Funny thing is" Harold went
on, when they had gone into the
little parlor. that now those peo.
pie have begun to be friendly, |
don't seem to care about II. The
fact is, don't intend to stay here
much longer. am very anxious to
be married-if do | shall want to
take my bride home with me. She
doesn't like Stapleton. II / don't
marry then the farther ] am
from Stapleton the better"
"How-how interesting" said
poor Mildred. May l meet herr"
Foolish little girl" said Harold
you know her already. You are
the only girl ever wanted to mar.
ry-but before l really ask you l
must make a confession"
II have a confession too" said
Mildred, very much embarrassed.
I'm Harold Shipway Cavendish.
Dads John Cavendish, Of the Gen.
eral on Company. You see-well.
hang It all, II will mean that you'll
have to marry a man hedged in by
few millions. l took this Job incog
because l wanted to prove that /
could make good on my own. These
people didn't know who | was Of
course. Don't bother about your
confession-Mildred, will you have
mel"
Il guess haven't anything to
confess" said Mildred. And then
Harold Shipway Cavendish took
the slight little music teacher in
his arms and kissed the cheek that
he had neglected the week before.