rage man enticed into this poor trap,
after the woman has said yes, and after the first brief freshness has
lost its bloom, becomes a tight-wad and there is little real money to be
got from him for any one.

"It's like this: once we've got this Sherwood bird safely hooked,"
expanded Barney with the air of an authority, flicking off his cigarette
ash with his best restaurant manner, "we can play the game a hundred
ways. But the marriage proposition is the best bet, and there are two
best ways of working that."

"Which d'you think we ought to use, Barney?" inquired Old Jimmie.

But Barney went on as if the older man had not asked a question. "Both
ways depend upon Sherwood being crazy in love, and upon his coming
across with a proposal and sticking to it. The first way, after being
proposed to, Maggie must break down and confess she's married to a man
she doesn't love and who doesn't love her. This husband would probably
give her a divorce, but he's a cagy guy and is out for the coin, and
if he smelled that she wanted to remarry some one with money he would
demand a large price for her freedom. Maggie must further confess that
she really has no money, and is therefore helpless. Then Sherwood offers
to meet the terms of this brute of a husband. If Sherwood falls for this
we shove in a dummy husband who takes Sherwood's dough--and a big
bank roll it will be!--and that'll be the last Sherwood'll ever see of
Maggie."

Old Jimmie nodded. "When it's worked right, that always brings home the
kale."

"The only question is," continued Barney, "can Maggie put that stuff
over? How about it, Maggie? Think you're good enough to handle a
proposition like that?"

Looking the handsome Barney straight in the eyes, Maggie for the moment
thought only of his desire to manage her and of the challenge in his
tone. Larry and the appeal he had made to her were forgotten, as was
also Dick Sherwood.

"Anything you're good enough to think up, Barney Palmer, I guess I'm
good enough to put over," she answered coolly.

And then: "What's the other way?" she asked.

"Old stuff. Have to be a sure-enough marriage. Sherwoods are big-time
people, you know; a sister who's a regular somebody. After marriage,
family permitted to learn truth--perhaps something much worse
than truth. Family horrified. They pay Maggie a big wad for
a separation--same as so many horrified families get rid of
daughters-in-law they don't like. Which of the ways suits you