are in the face while she grew hot and cold
and experienced a sensation quite different from what she had when Tom
and Dick made love to her. She had felt no fear of them, but she was
afraid of this little man, who stood up so resolutely, with his tongue
loosened, and asked her to be his wife, for that was what he did, making
his wishes known in a very few words, and then waiting for her answer
with his eyes fixed upon her face and a firm, set look about his mouth
which puzzled and troubled her and made her uncertain as to how she was
to deal with this third aspirant for her hand within twenty-four hours.

Billy had long had it in his mind that Jerry Crawford was the only girl
in the world for him, but he might not have spoken quite; so soon had it
not been for a conversation held with his father the previous night,
when they were alone in a private room at the hotel in Shannondale,
waiting for the train which Billy was to take, and which was half an
hour late. Peterkin had exhausted himself in oaths and epithets with
regard to the lawsuit and those who had brought it against him, and was
regaling himself with a cigar and a glass of brandy and water, while
Billy sat by the window watching for the train and wishing himself at
Grassy Spring with Jerrie. Peterkin seldom drank to excess, but on this
occasion he had taken a little too much. When under the influence of
stimulants, he was either aggressive and quarrelsome, or jocose and
talkative. The latter mood was on him now, and as he drank his brandy
and water he held forth upon the subject of matrimony, wondering why his
son did not marry, and saying it was quite time he did so and settled
down.

'You can have the south wing,' he said, 'and if the rooms ain't up to
snuff now, why, I'll make 'em so. The fact is, Bill, I've got money
enough--three millions and better; but somehow it doesn't seem to do the
thing. It doesn't fetch us to the quality and make us fust-cut. We need
better blood than the Peterkins or the Moshers--need boostin', and you
must get a wife to boost us. Have you ever thought on't?'

'Billy never had thought of it in that light,' he said, although he had
thought of marrying, providing the girl would have him.

'Have you! Thunderation! A girl would be a fool who wouldn't marry three
millions, with Lubber-too thrown in! Who is she?' Peterkin asked.

After a little hesitancy Billy replied:

'Jerrie Crawford.'

'Jerrie Crawford! I'll be dammed! Jerri