Carroll nodded. “Yes; that’s it, of course. Wasn’t our engagement mentioned during the conversation, girlie?”
“Not a word about it,” Melba replied. “He didn’t even mention your name, Fred. When I told him that it was quite out of the question for me to marry him, he merely said that he was sorry I felt that way about it, but that he was going to keep on trying until he persuaded me to change my mind.”
Carroll was not at all pleased to hear this. “I suppose that means that he’ll keep annoying you by forcing his attentions upon you,” he said grimly.
“I suppose so,” said Melba. “And, being under the same roof with him, that’s going to be decidedly unpleasant. I almost think I’d prefer to have him treat me in[Pg 53] his usual disagreeable manner. Probably my uncle, too, will pester me with arguments why I should marry his son. I can see myself having a pleasant time.”
“If only I could afford to marry you now, and take you away from such distasteful surroundings!” Carroll said wistfully. “It’s the dickens to be poor!”
Melba laughed heartily. “Never mind, Fred,” she said soothingly. “Things will be coming our way soon. Judging from the hit your paper has made, you’re not going to be poor much longer, is he, Mr. Hawley?”
“I hope not,” the Camera Chap replied. “By the way, Fred, I’ve got a proposition to put up to you. It’s from your friend Mayor Henkle. If you’re tired of being poor, maybe you’ll be glad to accept the offer that he makes.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he proceeded to narrate his experience at the city hall, and Carroll received the news with great joy.
“So he wants to call off the fight, does he?” he chuckled. “I’m mighty glad to hear that, Frank. This is indeed good tidings.”
“Why, Fred!” cried Melba in a shocked tone. “Surely you’re not thinking of accepting that offer? I wouldn’t believe——”