Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1923-01-06
She Spurned His
Riches
By CLARA DELAFIELD
Observation-Disclosures,
20. 1872. western Newspapsr Unlon)

Prudence put on her hat and walked
slowly down the garden toward the
river.
SIZE passed along a lane with leafy
hedges on either side fragrant with
honeysuekle. The night was soft as
ouly a June night can be and sweet
with the scent OF roses. The air was
filed with the hum Of innumerable
winged things. enjoying their brief
season of life and love.
Love stirred In Prudence's heart, too
At twenty-five, who is not susceptible
to its mysterious callf Prudence felt,
as she passed down the lane, that all
the world we're well lost for IL.
And yet, though lovers In plenty
sought her, In her fresh yOuthfulness
and beauty, she was not sure that any
Of them was the one man who was
destined to give her that supreme hap
piness she needed. She had been at
tracted, intrigued. perhaps, but she
had never given her heart In utter
surrender.
Would she7 Would ever that ideal
lover. whom every girl has pictured in
her heart, arrive?
Such we're her thoughts as she went
with half-reluctant feet down to the
tryst which she was to keep unwill-
ingly because she had not the heart to
spurn the impassioned appeal which
Old Black Chloe. the go-between, had
made to her on behalf of Charles
Marston the day before.
"Yo' meet him, honey" she said.
TITS an old woman asks II OF you.
Yo'l never regret it. Mr.. MarstOns a
fine gentleman, and he means well by
yo' Yo' meet him down by the river
at 8 o'clock tomorrow night / never
seed a gentleman so plumb crazy for a
girl before"
That was why Prudence was on her
way to the tryst. But Charles MarstOn
meant nothing to her She had seen
him a score of times, driving his tan
dem Of spirited bays through the town.
Many girl would have Jumped at the
opportunity TO serve him. Prudence
was different
She emerged out Of the leafy lane
into the footpath by the stream, and
looked apprehenslvely about her. Then
a figure stepped out of the shadows
and raised It's hat
II Was Charles Marston "a member
Of the oldest family in the little town.
He came forward deferentially, gazing
with an admiration that he only half
concealed upon this flower of young
womanhoOd.
'Black Chloe asked me to come.
But you have already approached me.
and have given you my answer"
II hoped to change you. Hope
springs eternal, you know, Miss Pru
dence-"
II can't. Mr. Marston. you are dis
tressing both of us to no purpose"
'Tf you knew how want YOU can
see you grSeing the old home like u
queen, presiding over IT, have
formed mental pictures of you there
IN the kitchen, your sleeves rolled up,
making"
mo, Mr., Marston. Any dreams
that YOU may have formed must be
laid aside. / shall never leave the
little home live in, not for the finest
mansion in the South"
The man stared hopelessly at her.
His lip quivored little as he shot
forth the query "Why?'
because / am contented where l
am, earning my humble living
"And can load riches upon you,
DO not scorn to consider Il In a
practical way, Miss Prudence am
rich. very rich"
Her lip cured contemptuously, but
she made no answer.
''There Is my car, Linlox. the best
ia the county, You would be looked
up TO, honored--"
For the last time my answer must
be no." said the girl calmly, though
her heart softened a ittle-what girls
would not-at his impassloned plead
iugY
Anger famed into his face. 81 sup
pose Il is because Of my wifel' he re-
marked iclly.
II have nothing against your wife.
She Is the Same as any other woman in
the land so far as l am concerned.
But you cannot tc-pt me with Dll
your offers of wealth, / shall remain
where ! am"
He turned aside with a gesture OF
despair. AT least. Miss Prudence.
tell me that there is no one else" he
pleaded
''That much l can assure you. There
is no one else cGn take me away from
the little home that / have lived in SO
long"
"Then at least | shall not have the
humiliation of seeing you the pam
pered darling of another man." he an
swered mournfully.
A thought came to her. why don't
you advertise, Mr. MarstonT she
asked
You are pleased 10 be cynical Ad
vertIse, and be the laughing-stock o.
the town? You know cooks ate I'm
possible to obtain. Wen just have to
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