Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1935-08-23


up swiftly. "Must, did you say?"
Helena flushed to the roots of her
pale hair. "No, not for the reason
you think. The fact is, next Tuesday
is my twenty third birthday. If I'm
not married by then lose a million
odd under the terms of an uncle's
will"
"Oh. one of those freak wills, eh?"
i Peters tone was as harsh as the
clash of steel on steel. Another illus
ion gone. So the heiress was selfish
and heartless after all-All her ap-
parent generosity and kindness was
then a sham and at the bottom the
lovely creature was hard as basalt.
$50, you're out cunning for a hus-
band?"
"You put it very inelegantly, Peter"
cts an inelegant fact"
Maybe" the word was void of in
Election. "But l see no sense in los
ing the inheritance. Very few peo-
pie can afford the loss of million.
You understand, therefore, why I want
you to marry me?"
eyes, l understand, and if I tried
from now till dawn couldn't tell you
how l despise you for it."
The engineer got up and stood mo-
ment before the fire, thus missing
the anguished expression that in spite
of herself swept Helena's visage.
Solwly he got to his feet. eff that's
all you have to say, I think I'll be
going" He swung toward the door
without looking at the slender beige
figure seated in deep armchair.
"Just a minute, Peter-I haven't
quite finished my proposition"
| The tall figure in scarlet checked
its stride and wheeled.
"Well," snapped the engineer wear
! ily," get on with it."
GAS I have a knack of going thru
with things 1 plan,"-Helena's voice
sounded cold and lifeless, "I'm going
to make it worth your while to do as
| WISH. ASoC yOo OCoAA0 my
purpose, please realize that I'll per-
NIT nothing more than the going thru
with a marriage service"
Thanks for cleaning up that point
IL was wondering
81 suppose you've the right to be
insulting under the circumstances, but
l don't want you near me, can't stand
the sight Of you."
For all his wrath, Peter wondered
at the sudden fierceness of her tone.
"Once we're married, you can go
where you please, and Pm going to
;, Paris. At the end of the year you'll
get divorce; if you don't will. AS
a further inducement-" her eyes
sought his and fixed them-"I propose
/, to send you a checque for twenty thou
sand dollars in cash the day our en-
gagement is announced"
Investing twenty thousand to win a
Million" he sneered. "Not a bad
business woman, are you?" And his
look flicked the seated girl like a
whip.
Twenty thousand dollars! Was it
pure coincidence that Helena Merwin
was offering just that sum?
E, 81 know what you're thinking" she
was saying. "Of course, I've heard
about your hard luck; and that was
what gave me the idea. You're good
looking, you're a gentleman and a
rather famous rider to hounds, you
know. rather fancy the couple We'll
make before the altar"
"You-you" Peter CROPPED for the
word. Helena! Haven't you shred
of decency? Haven't you ever had
any inkling what love really means.
Bah! You're inhuman, soulless, de-
grading one of the few inherent de-
cent human"
"Stop it," Quivering in every limb
: Helena sprang to her feet, scarlet and
outraged. "Stop it! Don't you dare
say such things"
Then with a terrific effort she con-
trolled herself "Well, do you accept
this offer?" Her voice was as cold
and harsh as the grinding of an ice
floe. Terribly intent she saw his head
sway in negation. "Then you're 60
ing to let your company and the hard
! work of ten years go by the board?
How about your employees?"
They'll have to take their chances,
I've done all 1 could"
"And your brother, Geoff, you used
to be mighty proud of him."
Peter WINGED and Helena, driving
her tortured heart to the limit, pitiless
lv made her nnints thouph every nerve