"And you didn't know that his father is William J. Shafton, the

multi-millionaire?" Opal brought the words out like little sharp

points that seemed to glitter affluently as she spoke them.

"No," said Marilyn, "I didn't know. But it doesn't matter. We hadn't

anything better to offer him than we've given, and I don't know why I

should have been impressed by that. A man is what he is, isn't he? Not

what his father is. He isn't your--brother--is he? I was over at

the church when you arrived and didn't hear the introductions. I didn't

even get your name."

Opal laughed uproariously as if the subject were overwhelmingly

amusing: "No," she said recovering, "I'm just Opal. Fire Opal they call me

sometimes, and Opalescence. That's Laurie's name for me, although

lately he's taken to calling me Effervescence. No, he's not my brother

little Simple Lady, he's just one of my friends. Now don't look

shocked. I'm a naughty married lady run off on a spree for a little

fun." Marilyn regarded her thoughtfully: "Now stop looking at me with those solemn eyes! Tell me what you were

thinking about me! I'd lots rather hear it. It would be something

original, I'm sure. You're nothing if not original!"

"I was just wondering why," said Marilyn still thoughtfully.

"Why what?"

"Why. Why you did it. Why you wanted to be that kind of a

married woman when the real kind is so much more beautiful and

satisfactory."

"What do you know about it?" blazed Opal, "You've never been married,

have you?"

"My mother has had such a wonderful life with my father--and my father

with my mother!"

Opal stared at her amazed for an instant, then shrugged her shoulders

lightly: "Oh, that!" she said and laughed disagreeably, "If one wants to

be a saint, perhaps, but there aren't many men-saints I can tell

you! You haven't seen my husband or you wouldn't talk like that!

Imagine living a saintly life with Ed Verrons! But my dear, wait till

you're married! You won't talk that rubbish any more!"

"I shall never marry unless I can," said Lynn decidedly, "It would be

terrible to marry some one I could not love and trust!"

"Oh, love!" said Opal contemptuously, "You can love any one you want to

for a little while. Love doesn't last. It's just a play you soon get

tired to death of. But if that's the way you feel don't pin your trust

and your love as you call it to that princely icicle we saw down on the

lawn. He's seen more of the world than you know. I saw it in his eyes.

There! Now don't set your eyes to blazing again. I won't mention him

any more to-night. And don't worry about me, I'm going to be good and

run back to-morrow morning in time to meet my dear old hubby in the

evening when he gets back from a week's fishing in the Adirondacks, and

he'll never guess what a frolic I've had. But you certainly do amuse me

with your indifference. Wait till Laurie gets in some of his work on

you. I can see he's crazy already about you, and if I don't decide to

carry him off with me in the morning I'll miss my guess if he doesn't

show you how altogether charming the son of William J. Shafton can be.

He never failed to have a girl fall for him yet, not one that he

went after, and he's been after a good many girls I can tell

you."




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