Bought and Paid For

girl whose personality had taken so strong a hold upon him, Stafford ge

Blaine?"

Mr. St

ne," he said, lookin

re give expression. For a moment the girl regretted that she had not followed her sister. It was embarrassing under the pe

ictures too? You know that I'm i

o follow the others, but instantly

e so many things I want

ginia smiled at his boyi

for ins

them is

the man who, starting with nothing, has become a power in the railroad and financial world. It only needed one t

" he laughed.

ol shattered!" she

un with her, in hi

now!" h

serious. Thoughtf

iew which the newsp

aked-" he i

ousand dollars was the hardest task of all

t in an amused kind of way.

bout a certain stock, borrowed a hundred from a friend, put it up as margin in a bucket s

is personality as for his achievements showing plainly in

you on the way to the City of Big Things. I

"It's a great city-the o

of the most promi

ghed in an embarrassed sort of way. "Still, e

y, where Fanny and her intended were heard chattering. For a few moments she sat still

ust feel to be a m

lightly, as

yourself; to realize that no one dare try to walk over you; to feel that your bitterest enemy respect

nk it would!"

ry comfort that the world can give. If a successful man wishes to travel by land, he ha

like you, and have everyth

manner suddenly became more serious. In a

I had everything

rised that a man so wealthy, so successful, c

ed slowly, "I

nd. Looking around at the magnific

this is so

ged his

t a home. It's merely the pla

d, light beginning

wen

es, books-they don't make a ho

riage would mean, or she must be false to her most sacred convictions and marry a man she did not love. Most girls would not hesitate. It was an opportunity such as rarely presented itself. They would marry him first and find out if they cared for him afterwards. But she was not that kind of a girl. She believed in being true to her principles. She did not love him. She admired his strength, his masterful energy; she respected his success and achievements in life, but between such regard and real affection for the man himself there was a wide gulf. If she was to be true to the opinions she had always held concerning the marital relationship, she must be candid and honest with herself and with him, no matter what material advantages were to be gained by such a union. N

, came so near that he almost touched her. She could feel his warm

ake a home for me? W

l You Make A

n stung. She had expected the proposal, yet wh

fe!" she

-my

. Agitated as she was within, her man

y flattered, but-is it not rather sud

in his. She did not attempt to withdraw it. He was

be convinced that you are the onl

d?" she persisted. "D

the eager unsophisticated lover, ready to do anything, say anything, in order to gain his end, but the resourceful, masterly man, accustomed to direct and

h for th

es

s-a matter to be discussed from every point of view and, above all, honestly. There must be no misunderstanding from the start. In this, he thought as she did. Their opinions on this one point were in curious harmony. He would

r to you, to look after and guard you, shield you from

hat-love?" she demanded, w

naire shoo

as a man, I fought for success. Everything I possess to-day I have wrested from the world, and while getting it I have been too busy for romance and love-making. But I think th

as if trying to read there if he was the kind of a man to

trouble to ask

u to-yet," he answ

marry you, knowing th

u like me-a lit

ish for t

es

than like you-but I

ove any o

N

other man more

N

ent forward. E

ce-marry me, and I'l

ake me-"

t against the world! Be my wife! I'll be a loyal and faithful husband. You shan't have a

elt for her, but in time love would come to bless their union, there was no doubt of that. Did any newly married couple really love each other at first? It was impossible, yet no one had the courage to admit it. She must decide and quickly. Her future was at stake-Fanny's future, too-for her own prosperity would naturally help her sister. T

the sensation of this big, strong man taking possession of her in spite of her will. Her head fell back, and he leaned forward until his lips nearly to

e, Virginia-wil

fluttering its wings in the captor's str

to say," she murmur

he murmured

n confusion. She and Stafford had been so completely engrossed that they had n

se! Dinner, i

ned him to go in

and Mr. Gillie," he said

rd, inwardly cursing Oku for the in

say yes?"

at least. Virginia had risen, and wa

ad. It was too serious a matter to be sett

," she m

isted, again a

t what he could not have. Had she yielded readily, he would have

time to consider

laborately laid dining table. At the same instant Fanny and her fiancé reappeared from the library. Giving V

are lovely, ar

he exc

wed in ackn

d. Turning to the younger sister, h

uded in deep thought, turned round. An exclamation of surprise and delight esc

utiful!" she excl

r over all, was indeed a spectacle to delight and fascinate the eye. Jimmie was so overcome by the sight, that he nearly fell over the chair which the accommod

his guests began to nibble the dainty appetiz

s fixed on Virginia, rose to his feet, glass in hand, while Jimmie, unaccustomed to such fine surroundings,

dinner, I have a

Jimmie l

they cried

yes still on Vi

posing the happiness of

and turned pale

e Said: "To Virgini

ction, nearly choked over his champagne. Fanny

s is a surprise, and

mmered Virginia helpless

f a man who knew he held the winning card. A

will. To the futu