The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1927-04-22
BLOOM BRINGS SUIT
Answers Were
Useless
By EUDoRA R. RICHARDSON

DAGE BERKELEY, dressed in
L her golf best, which was very be-
coming to glistening hair and a
clear, sun-burned skin, was play
ing In foursome with a man
whom financial necessity decreed
she should marry. On the nine-hole
practice course she could see young
Jennings, the club professional. as
he taught some beginner.
Page drove of the second tee
carelessly, slicing the ball and send.
ing it into the tall grass near the
main road. Ordinarily she would
have cared terribly about playing
such execrable golf, but today there
were too many other things dis
tressihg her for golf to matter
much, after all. One couldn't mar
ry Jennings, a man whose only as
sets were good looks and a genius
for golf-especially when all one
hadswas a family that expected one
to save 1t from the. direst poverty
q family with an old name and
nothing else marketable. The name
was, however; very marketable,
Page had reason to know, for she
felt sure that 1t was precisely this
name that her sfiance, james john
ston, was bargaining for now.
ssThat isn't exactly like your
golf" James Johnston said, his eyes
and his lips collaborating upon
very nice smile.
IF you can't endure my golf,
let's STOP" Page snapped.
OF course. she knew that 1t was
outrageous to be peevish with
man who was always kind. She
hated, too, to think that he might
be In love with her. 1t gave her a
clearer conscience to feel that he
was seeking a Berkeley alliance Tor
social purposes.
Page walked across the links to-
ward the green where her ball was
waiting for her. She heard hearty
laugh, and a quick little twinge OF
pain made breathing hard for a
moment Alan Jennings was laugh
ing at his pupils latest attempt to
conquer the drive. Page putted
with the awkwardness of begin
ner.
BY the time the foursome reached
the ninth green the links were
swimming before Pages eyes.
Johnston walked with her to the
summer house at the edge OF the
fafrway, while the other couple
continued In a twosome.
"Why don't you make clean
breast Of the way you feel. Pager
the man asked. II know you love
Jennings and not me. You have
just been bargaining with me,
haven't your"
page nodded dumbly and did not
try to blink back the two tears
that traced slowly down her
cheeks.
I'm other words, you are marry
ing. me for my money, and you
think you have something to give
me In return. Is that it?'
nYes," Page replied as steadily
as she could. II don't believe you
love me any more than ! love you.
If each OF us plays fair, it's all
right, isn't it?'
YES, dear-all right" the man
replied slowly and almost In a
whisper. There's something bet
ter than fairness, however. You
don't want to be released"
.sNo," Page said quickly. THAT
would be quite impossible. owe
something TO the name of Berke
lev. Can't we be married soon
yerv soon-and end the uncer
tainty?n
Johnston nodded. Then, lifting
Pages hands to his lips. he kissed
her finger tips with a tenderness
that made the girl suddenly
ashamed Of herself.
After dinner that night Page
came alone to the club, came by
means of the street car. for the
Berkeleys owned no conveyance.
She wanted to see Alan once more
and explain that there could be no
other meetings.
Tonight inside the club Alan was
not to be found. Page went to the
veranda and looked out across the
moon-kissed terrace. BY one of the
Georgian pillars she saw two men
talking together. They were un
mistakably Alan Jennings ana
James Johnston. In moment the
older man moved toward the square
where few cars were parked, and
Alan sauntered toward the main
door of the club. Page stepped to
meet him.
Come. Alan, want to talk to