ith. Our price is just a million. Then," she
added with an entrancing blush, "you can give us the house as a wedding
present."
"So that's the bargain, is it?" queried the financier.
"No. It isn't the bargain at all," replied the Tyro, with quiet
firmness. "The option isn't for sale."
"Not at a million?"
"Certainly not at a million. It isn't worth anything like that."
"A thing's worth what you can get for it."
"For value received. Not for charity, with however glossy a
sugar-coating. If Miss Wayne--Cecily--"
"Little Miss Grouch," corrected the girl with the smile of a
particularly pleased angel.
"If Little Miss Grouch marries me, she will have to marry me on what I'm
honestly worth."
"I'm content," said Little Miss Grouch.
"So am I," said Mr. Wayne heartily. "You've come through, my boy." He
set a friendly hand on the Tyro's shoulder. "As for Remsen Van Dam," he
added, scratching his head ruefully, "I might have known that Cecily's
pick would be better than mine. Look here, children," he added briskly,
"let's get this thing over and done with away from the American papers.
Enderby, how do Americans get married in England?"
"Give me five dol--I mean five hundred dollars," responded the Judge
promptly.
"What for?"
"Advice."
[Illustration: "YOU'VE COME THROUGH, MY BOY"]
"Done," said Mr. Wayne.
"And leave it to me. Let me see." He totaled up on his fingers. "Five
and five is ten, and five is fifteen, and five hundred is five fifteen;
a very fair profit on the voyage. It'll buy a wedding present for--"
"For the House of Smith on Battery Place," said Little Miss Grouch
demurely.
THE END
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Riverside Press
CAMBRIDGE. MASSACHUSETTS
U . S . A
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CLARION
By Samuel Hopkins Adams
The story of an American city, the men who controlled it, the young
editor who attempted to reform it, and the audacious girl who helped
sway its destinies.
"A vivid and picturesque story."--_Boston Transcript._
"One of the most important novels of the year--a vivid, strong, sincere
story."--_New Orleans Times-Picayune._
"A tremendously interesting novel--vivid and gripping."--_Chicago
Tribune._
"One of the most interestingly stirring stories of modern life yet
published ... vividly told and of burning interest."--_Philadelphia
Public Ledger._
|