The Auction. Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merrill Co., (1933).
First Edition stated. "John Wright, an aggressive six-footer, has made a name for himself as a mining engineer. Though possessed of wealth, and moving in circles high in society, he still retains the abrupt, two-fisted ways of the mining camps. At a dinner given in his honor he meets Margaret Schuyler and realizes that he has finally found his mate. Margaret is a true daughter of the so-called aristocracy, and to her, self-made John Wright represents all that is abhorrent. John, however, has never been stopped in his life, and he forces himself upon Margaret. Through the machinations of his man-Friday, Jones, he is admitted to membership in the ultra-smart Lynx Club. This membership brings him into the social strata of Margaret. In a short time she consents to marry him on a "for value received" basis. She finds life with John very trying, and during his absence upon a business trip takes up with her former suitor, Henry Morton, paragon of the idle rich. Shortly after his return, John catches her in Morton's arms, and the ensuing scene drives Margaret away. In his brutality John had told her about Meg, the wife of five men at the Dos Picos Mine. And Margaret goes to Mexico to learn about life and love from Meg. She takes over Meg's saloon, and also the custom of auctioning herself each Thursday night to the highest bidder. John returns to the mine, as does Morton, in time to take part in the bidding for her. The custom is one of cash only and in spite of resistance and force, John sees her go to Larry Matlock, the highest bidder. After his first outburst he accepts Margaret as Meg, and the following Thursday is on hand with a bid of $10,000. He buys his own wife in the aucttion. The Mexican episode meant the rebirth of Margaret. She realizes her love for John and the two return to their New York home, happy in her new evaluation of life. - The story is one of pure narrative with Just enough character development to enhance the plot. It is a "Tarzan" tale for grown-ups, with action from the first to the last page." Very scarce title. Near Fine in Very Good dustjacket.
Price: $300.00