Bought and Paid For

at closer range one and all of the art treasures they contained. She went into silent ecstasies before a Da Vinci, a Rembrandt and

but she knew enough to realize that it was a very valuable collection and one which very few persons we

dmiring way? Could it be possible that he was really attracted to her and had begun to think of her as a man does of the woman he wants to marry? Was it conceivable that she could ever be the mistress of such a beautiful home as this? What folly to even dream of such a possibility! Possibly, he was attracted to her and liked her

he polite little Jap as he gracefull

ched one of the dainty glasses and put it to his lips. The butler, all smiles and ci

cigars! Is there

ing himself comfortable in a chai

smiled Fanny

d Virginia quickly. "

se, please

g their cocktails, while Virginia, still interested in the hundre

?" grinned Jimmie,

ée, emptying her glass and

nally, unable any longer to withhold his itching palm, he put out his hand and selected one. He lit it and for a few moments puffed away with evident satisfaction. The more he puffed and inhaled the weed's fragrant aroma, the more sorry he

e exclaimed

efacedly placed the cigars back in

He would

t a gentlemanly thing t

orted sharply, "I ain't a gen

d, turning her back. Picking up a book, she dropped into a

ce, during which he puffed viciously at his cigar, he followed his prospective

rst come to kno

she was reading. He repeated the question so pointedly that she woul

nd he came and wanted long distance-I think it was Washington. There was some trouble gettin

acquaintance with the millionaire. When a man of his wealth and position took the trouble to pay a girl of Virginia's station such marked attention, capping the climax with this present invitation to dine at his house, either his intentions were not avowable or else he w

then who he wa

d as if the que

ch care. A girl who handles a telephone desk at our ho

d Jimmie, suddenly taking a live

to his rooms. They told me who he was and explained that he often transacted a lot of business there. That's how we got acquainted. Since then, as you k

" demande

lly. "Then he used to come nearly every day

" exclaimed Fa

rginia quickly, "but I coul

ow that he's human, eh?"

to the interruptio

ite so much after tha

ldn't?" inte

ourse

is legs and striking the as

t that w

demanded Vir

hat he having money

didn

laughed. "That was

girl indignantly. "I wasn't

which Fanny was making for him to ke

It's all i

m, Virginia

m here and to bring you and Jim. I h

approvingly. With a p

llow Stafford's on the level. H

scarlet. Confused

be ab

nsisted Fanny, "wo

laughed

uckled. "Say, Fann

k her head. S

know that

u mean to say that if any man as rich as Stafford was to ask you

indignant outburst, t

Stafford that I wouldn't marry if they gav

mace, but reluctantly nodded

of these financiers and, believe me, they are the rummiest looking b

er distinguished looki

a quickly. "What's mo

was sitting, stood looking at her, his hands

shed looking and a gentleman, as well as rich, wi

ot the slightest doubt, although at one time she had been a little afraid of him. Those invitations to dinner and his manner on one or two occasions she had rather resented, but for some time past now he had quite changed. He was more respectful, more sincere. Supposing the impossible were to happen-supposing he were to ask her to be his wife? For all she knew, the proposal might come that very evening. It might be part of the plan

ient, repeate

ell us what kind o

ed up. Calmly

a man I

low whistle. Sarc

as Mr. Stafford, take my advice

to," replied Virginia with dignity. "Love doesn'

cé she said: "You don't suppose I loved a fourteen-dol

uirmed in

he exc

atters. With a concili

just becaus

approaching his fiancée in a manner intended t

set eyes on you, Fanny, somethin

ng her hand over her he

g here said,

on the sofa together in the manner of all conventional lovers. Virgini

said anything

id Jimmie. "Perhaps you'll learn to care for him

nonsense," c

you, and if you pl

ing to play

ng and going to the table, "a chance like

irginia, putting up he

o easily suppressed.

fe time. It means a lo

rue," chimed i

ed and looked

she d

replied for his sl

life? Well, I don't. I've got ambitions. Yes, and I've got th

of

dustry, a magnat

ou

M

," exclaimed Fa

ied Mr. Stafford and he gave me a chance, which as his brother-in-law he certainly would

ing eighteen dollars a week?" r

took a seat near the window, where she coul

ng like that," he said. "It

her, Jimmy,"

to show some rich man just what I could do, I'd be worth perhaps a million dollars in ten or twelve years, and th

e had drawn, Fanny took his han

real society, too-perhaps we might meet the social leaders from H

we couldn't meet,

alf a dozen dresses, having them sent home without even asking the price, an

that and more," he

he topic was becoming distasteful

fectly ri

ster, Fanny put her

s for you to

ed Virginia. "That's the

to me," went on

I'm

. You'd do an

Fan

per. That means doing your own work, including the cook

about me-I'll

so," sig

't fear," sm

attack. Folding his arms in authoritative fashion and

in question? If Mr. Stafford does ask you to

ut such things,"

was getting angry. Shrugging his shoulders, the

't accept him, you'll be the

y," laughed Fanny. "Ha

inia turned

accept him?

ughed Fanny.

ow Jimmi

and so hard he'd think he

her," said the young m

n amazement from

and either of yo

an answer the clerk

these rugs, and them ornaments-" Going, over to the mantelpiece, he picked up one of the costly Peach Blow vases, examined it cri

," correcte

I suppose it's worth six o

ed Virginia warningly

stumbled, dropping the vase, which broke into two pieces. Bewildered, ho

ne it!" he exc

laimed Virgin

e dropped it if you

eces, he tried to

d out of her wit

better go home

alone rem

foolish,

. How's that for luck? They fit perfectly. No one will know the difference." Replacing the mended v

sly, grasping at any excuse wh

a would not

f the kind," she ex

nk we've done it," said

im a look that

nk it," she said severely

if he

n the outer hall. Quickly he added: "I

if you don't," repl

ough the room on his way

please,

host, Fanny began to mo

ake hands with him when I'm introduc

laughed

ould with anyone

el, Jimmie?" i

nsternation on the shipping clerk's f

ting him," he said ruefully

eading to the hall opened a