Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-06-17
BY
HENRY c. ROWLAND
BY

| is even worse. l could scarcely have
expected much from father"
MIR. Arnold has some good news
| in store for him"
"Of course" Alison agreed naivelv.s
| then laughed. "Oh, dear. I'm so ex-
cited / scarcely know what I'm say
ing. You must think me a horribly
mercenary wretch. But now that It's
all arranged. do tell me. Jerry. what
| was in that nasty note
| Jerome. bit ratified himself, was
about to obey a sudden impulse, bu
as he glanced at ialison's finely CHS
eled and beautiful profile, he strans
gIed 1t.
| 1t held an expression that he had
seen there many times before. but
which now for the first time he vas
| able accurately to interpret. 1t told
of an intense covetousness, not alonA
| for money nor for the man, but
toward the combination OF the two.
In fairness to Alison it may be said
| that money alone had failed TO bind
her, and Jerome's own case was the
nearest in which she had ever come
to surrendering herself to the man
| alone.
|
TIE had evidence enough that as
L male individual he pleased her
| infinitely. but looking at her now, he
| shuddered to think what must in
evitably have happened when this
attraction failed to satisfy. So, a. her
| request to see the note, he SHOOK hrs
| head.
What good could that do you
| now" he asked.
| "Oh, very well! she answered ir-
ritably. But IL it's what I think,
| it might help in the annulment OF the
marriage"
"On the contrary" said Jerome, 1T
strikes me that my stubborn refusal
to show it either to yourself or to
your father should count for more
in getting you clear of me. Leave
well enough alone. my dear girl. IL
I hadn't refused in the first place. just
think what you might have missed"
Alison nodded. Il fancy you're
right. Jerry, but I hope this is Me-
going to make a woman-hater OF
you"
| "Oh, no. / realize that our recent
disagreement must have left spot.
.
Dicks has had time to cicatrize, so
to speak. Besides, fresh kale is a
splendid surgical dressing"
Alison shot him a suspicious look.
You are bitter, Jerry" said she.
I'll get over 1t. Well, here We are
Your father has a pleasant surprise
in store for him.
Mr. Arnold was in his ofice, anY
they were ushered in Immediately.
Well" he snapped. whats the
matter now?"
I'VE have come to sign an armistice
which we hope may be followed by
lasting peace" said Alison.
And the formation of a new ALI
ance," said Jerome.
"I don't get YOU" growled the
lawyer. There was nothing the mat
ter with the ceremony. was there"
only that it took place" said
Jerome. SHOW your father the tele-
gram, Alison
She did so, and il was wonderful
to Jerome to observe the dissipation
of the storm clouds on the face OF
the lawyer. He glanced sharply a
his daughter.
at never had much confidence IN
young Crandall," said he, but it's for
you TO decide"
1--WE done so, papa" said Alison
Jerry and I agree that our marriage
was a great mistake. We've never
been compatible temperamentally.
and must admit I don't think girl
brought up as have been ought ever
to marry a poor man, especially
she looked with meaning at her
father, who flushed beneath her
knowing gaze-"when her male par
emit is still young and handsome and
a widower."
Come. come. daughter" Mr.. Ar
mold interrupted gruffy. You need
not go into personalities. Since you
are both of the same mind in this
matter there can be but one course
for us to pursue. and we shall get
about 1t with as little discussion and
delay as possible"
v
THE hour hand of the big clock on
J. the Metropolitan buildings towe1
had travelled about quarter Of
mile around the dial before Jerome
received Official announcement that
his contract of matrimony with Ali T
son was null and void He sped with
all dispatch to Sylvia, who received
him with a pale but radiant face.
"Oh, Jerry" she whispered. Are,
you really free?"
NO" he answered. Il am engaged
to you. l expect to remain in that
stage for not more than about two
hours The marriage license is in
my pocket In a long envelope with
the annulment papers. and l hope
very shortly to have a third docu-
ment to add to the collection.
stopped at the Little Church Around
the Corner, and the course is BENG
cleared for the third event"
There was no hitch to this prof.
gram, which was carried out before
small but carefully selected audi
ence AS they rolled away, Sylvia
nestled close to her husband. He
looked at her with sparkling eyes
IT think it's time 1 showed you that
scrap of paper which ruptured rels-
tions between Alison and me-"
He reached into the pocket and
produced the yellow envelope, which
he kissed and handed to his bridc'
Read 1t aloud, sweetheart. love 10
hear It,"
Sylvia read: Shreveport, La, June
!, 1922. Over the top of the derrick,
twenty thousand barrels strong
Standing off the rush for leases Your
! share worth a million. Better bring
your bride here for honeymoon. Have
got Niagara swamped for gush
Hearty congratulations. Love To-.
Jerome snatched the paper from
the trembling hands of his bride,
whipped out his pencil, drew a line