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 best, Maggie?"
Maggie shrugged her shoulders with indifference.
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