Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-11-20
The Lost Wager.

corued, ana the carpet-oaSs were piled
up in the corner of the capacious, old
fashioned hall.
How melancholy they looked, those
emblems of parting and adieux. Not
even the merry laughter of the two or
three young girls, who were gathered
around q stalwart, handsome fellow of
about twenty-five, could entirely ban
ish an impalpable something of sadness
from the scene. Cousin Jack was 60
ing away, the general mischief-maker,
torment and tease of the whole family,
and Mr.. Chester, sitting by the distant
window, wiped his spectacles every five
minutes, and declared, pottishly, that
the type of the evening paper was
terrible trial to old eyes. ..
"Aye, you may laugh, girls" said
Jack, applying himself vigorously to
the refractory lock of a portmanteau.
Perhaps you may one day discover
that it isn't such a laughing matter.
Think of the loss the family is going to
sustain in my excellency."
"But you'll como back soon, Jack,
DEAR" coaxed Minnie Chester, the pref
tiest and most roguish of all cousins,
and the one who kept up perfect fire
Of practical jokes and girlish tricks at
his expense.
There she sat, on the biggest trunk
of the collection, her brown curls hang
ing about her round face, and her eyes
sparkling with a curious mixture of fun
and tears.
"Tm not at all certain OF that, Miss
Minnie" )" said Jack. decisively. "If !
succeed in finding location to suit me.
/ shall probably decide to settle perma-
nently at Thornville and turn landed
proprietor on my on account"
"Only imagine our Jack gentleman
of property! laughed Minnie, appeal
ing to her sisters.
Il don't see anything SO very ridicu-
lous in the idea" remarked the young
man. rather piqued at the amusement
OF his relatives. " At all events, there 8
one incalculable advantage that will re-
suit from my departure"
"And what is that, Mr.. Oracle ?"
"The fact that you've played your
last freak on me, you tormenting little
mink"
"Don't be so certain OF that, Cousin
Jackr said Minnie, shaking her long
curls. What will you venture don't
bestow parting trick on you yet
Ah! 1 haven't settled with you for
several little pieces of impertinence;
but pray don't imagine they are for
gotten, sirr'
"My diamond sleeve buttons to your
coral necklace that you don't impose on
me within the next three months, Min
nie," said Jack gaily.
Donew said Minnie. Girls, you
all hear the wager, don't you? I al
ways coveted Jacks diamonds"
But you won't have them, madem-
oiselle! How dark it is getting in this
cavernous old hall. Shall I ring for
lights, Uncle Chester? And, by the
way, have you written that letter of en-
PRODUCTION to Mr.. Thorne r
"All in good time, my boy-all in
good time" said the old gentleman, de-
posting his huge, silver-bound spec
tacles in their case. You young men
are all in such desperate hurry. Tell
Betsy to carry lamp into the library,
girls. And Minnie, where is my gold
pen? won't be very long about it,
and then we will have nice long even
ing to gossip over Jacks prospects"
While Mr.. Chester sat in his cosy,
red-curtained library, revising the let
ter which he had been writing to his
old friend Jabez Thorne, of Thorn
vile, to the effect that his nephew, John
Lacy, was in search of an eligible piece
of land, and wished to settle down
in that vicinity. and requested Mr..
Thorne's aid and cooperation in the
selection of the same, Minnie opened
the door.
Papa there is some one down
stairs who wishes to see you immedi-
ately for n minute"
Every annoyingp said the old gen.
tleman, "just as / was finishing this
letter Of Jacks. However, can seal
it afterward. Minnie, suppose you
glance over it and dot the is and cross
the is; TIM Lot as much Of penman
as used to be-
/ And old Mr.. Chester pushed back his
chair and rose from the antique table
to attend the claims Of his urgent guest.
Olive Chester was brushing out the
heavy braids of her luxuriant hair be-
fore the dressing-mirror Of her own
apartment, two hours later. when Min
ME ran in, with -countenance comic
ally divided between dismay and de-
light. e
My dear Minnie, what has happen
ed 2" exclaimed the elder sister, drop
ping her hair-brush and letting all the
raven tresses ripple down unheeded
over her shoulders.
I've won the diamond sleeve-but-
tons, Olive! but ohi I didn't mean
to. What would papa say if he only
knew it--and Cousin Jack. too p
80 Sit down, you wild little eli, said
Olive, gently forcing her sister into a
chair, ..and explain this mysterious
riddlap sA5 eh tts Hi .sis@