The Odds And Other Stories: Ethel M. Dell

1920s romance stories. The Odds: Dot, a young woman, is rescued from a snake bite by an outlaw on the run, and sparks fly... Without Prejudice (sequel to The Odds):  Time has passed since Dot's meeting with the outlaw, and passes and she has become engaged to a grim magistrate, at her brother's urging. What happens when she and the outlaw meet again? Can she keep him from danger? Her Own Free Will: Impetuous and immature Nan agrees to marry a Boer millionaire for his money. When an accident keeps them separated for a year or so and when it's time to meet her husband, she decides she prefers her father's house and her own independence. The Consolation Prize: In spite of her love for a farmer,  young Phyllis agrees to marry an eccentric and ugly lord of the manor in order to save her family from poverty. Phyllis' sister hears about it and won't allow her to throw herself away and ruin two lives.  Her Freedom: When free spirited Hilary decides against marrying her fiancee, she doesn't tell him in person but calls it off in the society column of the newspaper. He, in turn, writes in to the newspaper to confirm the original announcement. Six weeks of unwedded freedom before the wedding... Maybe she can find someone else she likes better and marry him before her wedding date. Cousin Dick introduces her to a wild, bearded and brown French Canadian he has staying with him while the Canadian learns the art of 'civilised living'.   Hilary takes to the savage and decides she likes him quite all right as he is. Can true love prevail? Death's Property: The wealthy and disillusioned Bernard Merefleet returns to his seaside home town to rest and recuperate after spending twenty years in America serving the "god of gold". When he overhears a brash American voice laughing shrilly, he is annoyed that he can't get away from American society. But later, he sees the angelic face that accompanies the voice and is enthralled in spite of himself. But she is a woman with a secret, and her cousin says, untouchable... The Sacrifice:  When her admirer is accused of forgery, Lady Violet Calcott will do anything to clear his name, even going to the best lawyer in London to defend him. The lawyer refuses on account of the young man's guilt, but then reconsiders. He will defend him if - and only if - Lady Violet marries him instead.