Bought and Paid For

arance of encouraging him, firstly because she had not yet made up her mind regarding the honor he had done her, secondly because it was not always easy to invent excuses for further delay

her, or when he was not able to come himself he sent her flowers, books and candy,

aire spent a great deal more time at Miss Blaine's desk than was necessary to transact legitimate business, and it would not be long before the gossips got busy to her disparagement. For that reason she preferred to resign. Besides, it would be fairer to him. He had not even hinted at her taking

d Fanny in the millinery store, and, in order to keep herself in pocket money, gave private lessons to beginners. Th

s splendid new touring car, a forty-horse-power Mercedes, and sometimes he would telephone from downtown and arrange

ly encouraged. He went out of his way to be amiable to Fanny, flattering her and making her presents, and encouraging Jimmie to talk of his wonderful ideas. Moreover, he gave him plainly to understand th

he did not want to marry him she should say so, and if she did intend to marry him she should be willing to name the day. As it was, she was standing in the way of her

impatient, urging his suit, refusing to be discouraged, waiting eagerly for the day when sh

ekly income of the bridegroom-did not allow of the setting up of a very elaborate establishment, but, as the clerk explained privately to his bride, it was only a question of time when Virginia woul

to offer me less than fifty

ver, was shrewd enough to make no mention to her sens

d recognize him-acted as best man. The bride looked pretty and self-composed, while Jimmie was a picture of masculine magnificence in a new frock coat, patent-leather shoes, white tie, silk hat and a collar so high that he could not turn his head r

had been separated; she felt as if she was losing the last friend she had in the w

ow happy she is? You wouldn't rob

eed," sh

n closer an

her hand to you as you driv

r and he pressed

he?" he

cab, now fast disappearing i

rha

at be?" he we

ritated at his persist

ow," she rep

wn. Her sudden resignation from the hotel also had excited comment. People began to connect their names in a way unflattering to both. Such slanderous rumors must be stopped at any cost, thought Stafford to himself, and one evening at Delmonico's, while i

women in general, argued that girls who were compelled by necessity to earn their own living formed a class by themselves. They could not be classed with the domesticated girl of good family because they were open to temptations and contaminating influences

e is the young girl's only protection. Take her out of it and you expose her to the manoeuvres of the first scoundrel who comes along. If she's temperamentally cold, she'll resist the seducer successfu

as

in splinters on to the floor. Hadley, startled, turned round. Stafford, his handsome

you talk of Miss Blaine! S

ey, removing his cigar from

eated Stafford grim

mmered, looking narrowly at his companion to see

His momentary ill humor had passed. Unable to account for the sudden change of mood,

ying me, eh?

shook his head. With dru

your life-she's g

motioned to him to open

lth, Hadley, old top. N

ter poured out the wine with an unsteady hand. Li

ginia-m

t at one gulp. Hadley stared at him in growing amazement. He saw his friend wa

" exclaimed his companion when he had

ord l

e hotel," he hiccoughed. "Didn't I tell you tha

t you were joking. I never thou

ed the railroad man

e face. He was not the kind of a man to

selfish! That's frank-but it's the truth. Selfishness keeps most men single. They'r

afford, his face redder tha

ked the ash from his c

ct it. She'll have a

oured out another glass

woman. My wife and I will understand each other perfectly. I shall make that quite plain from the outset. It's only right. I give my wife-my name, my f

ing you have your own

looking, not too strait-laced-she's just the girl I want. Don't you

ary," said H

k too much, but he still had his wits about him. Laughing

cisely-and I've eng

is glass, he we

no family-no inquisitive, meddlesome relatives, thank God! If this marriage is going to cost me what friends I have-all right-let them keep away! Such friends are not

ely you don't anticipate anything of that so

d again. With an impat

yes' at once. I understand her perfectly. She's still uncertain if she cares enough for me. I respect her all the more for her reserve. I'd rather that than ha

advice he could have given on the subject was n

atulations-

ce more. Leaning tipsily over towards his friend,

s are enough to drive any man crazy; and that figure! Can

shing his glass away. "I've had enough and

roceeded to settle for the dinner. While he was th

red enough, he would warn her that his friend was not the marrying kind of man. Of course, Stafford would do the honorable thing, go through a marriage ceremony, make a handsome settlement and all that sort of thing; but when it came to leading a quiet, regular, domesticated life, he simply was incapable of it-that's all. He had enjoyed liberty too long to wear the harness now. He was too much of the viv

at him and laugh

iskered old college professor. Stop your philosophizing and let's

ok his hea

d firmly. "You don't wan

ection are

venue. Comi

t a ring I ordered." Grinning stupidly at Hadley, he went on: "Great idea-diamonds! Yo

of whom walked somewhat unsteadily, were on Fifth A

among the society notes of the

econd daughter of the late John Blaine, once a well-known lawyer of this city. The ceremony was strictly private, the marr