The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-11-30
Poor Mans
Luck
By JUSTIN WENTWOoD


CONGREvE looked at the revolvez
~ In his desk drawer and pushed Il
away with n little laugh. Not that way
for nim! He was only forty-three, and
the millions that he had lost In the
last week he could make again, and
more.
But he could not regain Virginia
Templeton. He knew that she wal
lost forever, and month before thell
wedding.
That was the cursed part Of th<
luck, he thought, as he mace mis- way
out In the train toward the Temple
ton estate. Old Templeton had beer
In bad way when, out Of friendship
Congreve had taken hold Of his az
fairs. showed him some wise invest
ments, and rebuilt his affairs for him
Templeton had invited him to his
fine home In the country, and there
C0ngreve had met Virginia.
There had been q host Of men after
her-young Winters especially. Con
greve had always suspected that Viz
ginia was In love with Winters. Ger
tainly he admitted to himself that Viz
ginia had never really cared for him.
She was marrying him because-well,
not for his money, but because he had
saved her father from bankruptcy.
After all, Congreve reflected cynical
ly, one got nothing for nothing in this
world. He wanted Virginia, with her
cold, stately beauty. She wanted to
do the right thing. oh, yes, he was
the right thing.
He had been sure that young Win
ters had kissed her that night In the
conservatory. He had said nothing
about 1t. Why should he? He had all
the tolerance Of a man Of forty-three
who Is about to marry charming
girl. Suppose she did not care for
Winters? How long would 1t last?
But now-as he descended at the
station-now 1t was all different. Now
he clenched his fists and gritted his
teeth as he reflected how Winters
would get her after all. How they
would laugh at him, all her friends
who had never really admitted him
into their circle!
And old Templeton-how rejoiced
he would be to kick down the ladder
by which he had ascended to those
heights Of financial salvation!
Congreve strobe savagely up the
lane toward the house. He was going
to make no bones about the matter.
He meant to come to the point. I'm
all but bankrupt" he was going to
tell Templeton. To Virginla-well,
he would not be harsh with the girl.
One did not take 1t out on women.
A few words, showing her that he
understood
1t was beginning to grow dark az
the house came into sight. Congreve.
about to ascend the steps and knock
at the front door. hesitated. There
was Aght In the little room at the
side. In 1t he saw virginia's figure
silhouetted against the drawn shade.
The window was open. Congreve could
hear every word uttered by her and
the man with her.
SITS true, Virgy," the man waS say
ing-and 1t was Winters voice. "The
fellows bankrupt. The news Is all
over town. Now we've got him where
we want him."
"Where do we want him?" asked
Virginia.
Somewhere where he can't inter-
fere between you and me, sweet
heart"
aren't you assuming too much"
II guess not" He made q little
movement. toward her. The girl
stepped back.
Listen, Ronald. Ever since Harry
and I became engaged you and every
body assumed that I was marrying
him for his money. 1t wasn't said
aloud-oh, no, but the sense was con.
veyed none the less deftly for all that.
1t paralyzed me. It made an autom-
atom Of me. Because you see. I-lovs
him."
Nonsense, virgyw
II love him. And now that all his
money Is gone, perhaps I shall have
the chance Of showing him that It was
he himself and not his money, and
that I do care for him.
"And as for you, Ronald, I don't
want to see You again. Please go.
That's ALL"
AS Congreve stood there aghast the
door opened and Winters brushed past
him with an agitated face. But Con-
greve hardly noticed him. There stood
Virginia. And one glance at his faca
told her he had overheard.
"Yes, heard you, Virginia." said
Congreve. And he drew her into his
arms.
II guess the loss of my money was
the best thing that could have hap
pened to us. It's given US love-" he
said.
"rhe love was always there.v said