Should She Have Left Him? — page 272: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A BLOW FOR FREEDOM. 259 - would not justify me in seeking to exert an undue influence upon this lady. If she accepts their pro- posal, they desire she should do so fully believing it to be the best thing she could do, and that all interests were thus best served. They do not wish to conceal the fact that in an acceptance of the pro- posal is the solution of many matters which perplex them and Mrs. Adams as well. With this exordium I address myself to the statement, asking your patience, for it is intricate and complicated.” Mr. Dayton thought there was little need of ask- ing his patience. Never in his experience had he listened to a story more dramatic, involving more novel situations, and he was charmed by Mr. Magrane’s methods of statement, which left no point untouched in its proper place or bearing. When Mr. Magrane had concluded, Mr. Dayton said: ‘“T also am inclined to take the view that a com- mon law marriage exists. The idea of settlement in another direction has entered my mind, but it is yet too crude to formulate. I know this ex-magis- . trate. He is about the city, a disreputable sort of a fellow.” , Mr. Dayton drummed his fingers upon his table for a moment or two, looking through the windows to the wintry sky. Mr. Magrane waited for him. “If this idea,’ he continued, “were to take form, and from it should come a solution of the difficulties simpler than you now propose, and a sum of money were required to effect it, I presume such would be forthcoming.” GOMMGIOO cS (GO)