Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 August 1906 — SOMETHING TO SELL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SOMETHING TO SELL

By Francis A. Corey

At the ringing of the doorbell a blush blended suddenly with the happy smile on Elizabeth Mellen’s lips. It was Teddy Davenport, of course! Hadn’t he called regularly at this hour of the afternoon for weeks and weeks? “I’m so glad you’ve come, Teddy,” she cried, giving him both her hands. She always had for him this warm, impulsive greeting. But Davenport was not responsive for once. The slender, jeweled hands were quickly released. His lips wore no answering smile. There was a new line in his face. “Something has gone wrong, Teddy,” she said in her quick, direct way. “Yes.” “Is it so very, very bad?” “As bad as it well can be,” he groaned. Elizabeth paled a little. Teddy was not one to take alarm at nothing. But Instead of “ asking what troubled him she drew a little nearer and said: “Let the unpleasant news wait. I want to talk of something else. Yesterday we were debating whether we would announce our engagement at once or not until next month. Why not settle the question now?” “That's the very thing I came to talk about!” he exclaimed. Then he went on hurriedly, before she could make any resjionse. “Elizabeth, I’m glad now that we took no one into our confidence. ’Twill make things easier and better for you. You are no weakling; you may as well have the truth straight out. I very much fear that everything will have to be given up.” She looked at him for a moment as if stunned. “What—what do you mean?” “You know, dear, nearly my whole fortune was put into Lookout mine. I so wanted to double it. Then I’d be as rich as you. A man likes to have as much money as the woman he weds. So I took a desperate risk. Everything promised well at first, but I’ve just had

a wire from headquarters. The mine has gone smash—water, you see—utterly worthless. Nobody would take it as a gift.” “Oh, Teddy, Pm so sorry!” she said. “Of course It means financial ruin. I’ll have to begin again at the bottom of the ladder. It may take years to work my way up. It would be unjust to you to ask you to wait. I will not do It I give you back your promise. You are free.” A sudden trembling of the white lips showed what the words cost him. The look on his haggard face went to Elizabeth’s heart She was deeply In love with Teddy Davenport. She loved him for bls handsome face, his manliness, his courage and strength, his high notions of honor. With a swift impulsive gesture she slipped two slender white arms, lost at the elbow in enchanting frills of lace, about his neck. "But I don’t want to be free,” she cried. “Oh, what a goose you are, Teddy! As If I hadn’t money enough for us both and wouldn’t deem It a privilege to share all I possess with you!” He released himself resolutely from the clasping arms. “Yes, Elizabeth, I know you would do It, and willingly, If I would permit the sacrifice. But I will not How can I take so much and give nothing In return?” ‘•You will give yourself. That is enough.” “Not from a man’s standpoint Don’t tempt me. I had this fight out by myself before I came. I shall always love you, always be true to you, but until fortune smiles again we can be only friends." Elizabeth loved him the better for his unyielding firmness and pride. After he had gone she stood for a long time at the window, the light gone out of her beautiful eyes. What a pity that so paltry a thing as the loss of fortune should wreck the happiness of two lives! Could nothing be done? Suddenly a thought came to her like an Inspiration and she acted upon It at once. Crossing the wide hall to a gmall room at the rear of the library, ■he took the telephone directory from

its shelf, ran her finger down the long column of names until she came to the letter S. Then she called up Mr. Sanford of the legal firm of Sanford A Rollins, and the following conversation took place: “Mr. Sanford, you have charge of Mr. Theodore Davenport’s business affairs?” “Yes.” “Is it true that his Lookout shares have greatly depreciated in value?” “Excuse me, madam. That is a private matter. I cannot discuss It with a stranger.” “You needn’t be afraid. Mr. Davenport has just gone from here. I’m Miss Elizabeth Mellen of Gramercy Park.” “Oh—ah—yes!” It was curious—the change that had come into the voice at the other end of the wire. “Of course, then, it is quite unnecessary to keep anything back. The mine is in very bad shape—even worse than Davenport is aware.” “I’d like to have a talk with you, Mr. Sanford, if I may. Can you call at my house this evening at 8 to meet my business manager?” “I will come with pleasure, Miss Mellen.” “Thank?. Of course you understand that Mr. Davenport is not to know of this* “You can rely upon my discretion.” “That is ail. Goodby until 8.” The following afternoon Elizabeth sat waiting with flushed cheeks and shining eyes. On the stroke of the clock Teddy bounded up the steps. Without giving the servants a chance to announce him, he rushed into the drawing room and caught her in his arms. “Such wonderful news, my darling!” he cried joyously, kissing her. “Sanford has sold my Lookout shares at par to somebody with more money than brains! The mine can’t be in such a hopeless condition as I was led to believe. Sanford dropped a hint that the new owner has been investigating privately and knows what he’s about Well, he’s welcome to make what be can out of it. It’s off my hands, thank heaven! And now we will announce our engagement as soon as you please.” “Then let it be tomorrow, Teddy,” Elizabeth murmured, with downcast eyes. There was a punctured silence. “I—l have a prejudice against long engagements,” she whispered presently. “Why not be—married—in three weeks?” “You darling!” he cried.

At the first stop on their wedding journey Elizabeth dived to the very bottom of her trunk for a mysterious package. With this tightly clutched In hands that shook a little In spite of herself, she confronted her husband of an hour. “Teddy,” she began rather tremulously, “It Is the custom to make gifts on an occasion like this. Suppose you and I inaugurate a new departure. I have something to sell If you can be Induced to buy.” Smiling into her solemn face, he asked teasingly: “Is it a kiss?’ “Of course not How absurd! But—see for yourself.” He stared bard at the half dozen documents she spread out on the table; then as the truth dawned slowly upon him his face grew white. “These are Lookout mine certificates made out In your name! Elizabeth,” he cried sharply, “explain! What does this mean?’ “Oh, Teddy, forgive me,” she pleaded, kneeling beside him in the adorable humility of a proud but loving woman. “1 couldn’t give you up. I could not And I saw a way out of it, thank heaven. I bought up these shares of yours secretly”— She stopped, silenced by a bitter cry. “And I’m a poor beggar after all,” he groaned. “Nothing of the sort,” she declared eagerly. “You’ve been too busy getting ready to lie married to watch the market reports, I suspect. Lookout shares touched par three days ago, and they went up three additional points yesterday. You’ve made a hundred thousand”— “You mean thtft you have,” he cried, clasping her in his arms.

HE STARED HARD AT THE HALF DOZEN DOCUMENTS.