The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-10-23

aunt, VINO WIS Ieauiuk OWCA IN nSA
chair. also with the appearance Of
deep content, her eyes closed, her air
of isolation complete.
my aunt does not approve Of such
questions" she said quietly.
I'VE speak in English" Gerald re-
minded her. "and your aunt does not
understand"
my aunt understands English bet
ter than you would believe" Pauline
replied. There Is the fact, also.
that I have confidence I'm her. l be-
lieve that she knows what Is best"
"The best thing for you," Gerald
said firmly, us to believe in me-"
She looked at him with slight
smile. Her face. however, remained
unsoftened.
"Really? And why should j be-
lieve in your And what is there to
believer"
THAT am deeply interested"
Gerald replied promptly, "ln every
thing that concerns you; that wish
to be your friend; that wish"
She stopped him with little ges-
ture instinctively mandatory.
"Neither my aunt nor l." she inter-
rupted, "are In q position to accept
more than the simplest acts Of good
will from any one. / have tried to
make that clear to you."
"You have" Gerald admitted, but
before I accept your decision finally,
i shall expect some further explains
ton"
I'VE do not belong to your world"
Pauline said. 1--WE are what You call,
i think, adventuresses."
"Of unique type, them" Gerald
declared, smiling. at is not the usual
action of such people. having met
with great loss, as you did at Monte
Carlo. to sell their jewelry to pay
their bills. and leave without owing .
penny"
You are well informed Pauline
remarked coldly.
II saw your pearl necklace in Des-
forbes, the jewelers.
81 cannot believe that Desf0rdes-"
fauline began, In apparent agitation.
THE man told me nothing" Ger
lit: interrupted. II recognized the
necklace and bought it.
You bought my neckiace?" she re-
peated incredulously.
Hoping" Gerald ventured. "that
some day it would be my privilege to
return 1t to YOU"
She was distinctly taken aback.
You are apparently rich man.
Lord Dombey, as well as an imperti-
nent one" she said. "Are you often
subject to these whims?"
Il am we'll off," Gerald replied,
hat is to say that have an In
,.ome apart from my allowance. For
the rest, I have never done anything
of the sort before. because l. have
never felt the same inclination"
II thought that you were rather by
way of being the support of the ladies
of the ballet at Monte Carlo" she OBJ
served. did you not entertain them
ut supper and that sort of thing?"
II entertained them at supper &C.
casionally," Gerald admitted. but
that Is the extent of my acquaintance
with them"
"Then there was child whom you
and your friend found at mountain
farm-she became your ward. did she
not-a pretty child. with large, at
fectionate eyes?"
MY family has relieved me OF my
responsibility in that direction" Ger
aid replied. "She is living down at
IIinterleys with my people. My
father will allow no one else to read
tn him, my sister is devoted to her,
and my friend is In love with her."
IT still do not understand what
made you buy my pearls" Pauline re-
marked, after a moments thoughtfu!
silence, "or under what possible con-
litions you contemplated return
ing them to me-"
II bought them because ] am In
love with you." Gerald declared.
She turned her head and studied
him deliberately. She was still loung-
ing in her chair, but she gave him the
impression that she was looking down
,,t him.
THAT" she said quietly, SIS style
If conversation which you must keep
for your dancing ladies or your VII
Iage maidens."
ut happens to be the truth" he in
sisted doggedly.
Once more she looked at him. still
puzzled. but this time little more
leniently. His dark eyes were aglow.
tie was obviously In earnest.
you must forgive me IL find your
methods a little unusual" she said.
do I understand that you are pro-
posing an alliancer'
II ask you to do me the honor OF
.ecoming my wife," Gerald replied.
Pauline turned to her aunt.
Aunt" she said In French, Lord
Dombey desires to marry me. He has
'ust told me so most elOquently."
Madame de Poniere's expression
vas, for her, almost tolerant.
Never mind. my dear" she re-
| Joined, she Is q very amiable young
man and he has given us an excel.