The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-21
CECII'S WAGER.
A YOUNG LADY,s RASH BEE.

"Cone, I'll bet you two dozen of Houbi-
giants best skies and d half, said Cecil Vane
TO her sister, '.that / make that handsome,
siignified, old Major Ross propose TO me be-
ssOld, Gecill' replied Louise Vane, who was
In the first flush Of her dignity as an engaged
young lady. "Why, Major Ross can't be
more than six or eight and thirty at the ut
.sWell, that is old in the eyes of girl of
nineteen retorted Cecil, tagging mischiev-
uusly at her crochet work, for Che two sisters
were sitting on the shingle Of Walmer Beach,
citing occupation.
Louise and Cecil vane were orphans, but
had been carefully and tenderly brought up by
their mothers sister, Mrs Charters her
self q widow-and were now spending with
their relative their annual month on six weeks
At the seaside.
Louise the elder of the sisters, was q tall,
fair, Misunderstanding blonde of some two
And-twenty, with clearscut, regular features,
and of rather reserved department. Cecil ON
the contrary, who was three years her junior,
was o petite, riquante brunette, with large
dark eyes, snue nose--yes, literally. snub-
xiemean0r that might be truthfully character
lied as sauev.
81 Think parsled the elder sister, with
thatairof cond descending patronage which the
engaged OF the sex consciously and pre0o-
Cious1y display towards those whe have not
yet been. appropriated, that 1t would be
wiser and more discreet, Cecil, il you were to
adopt q little more reserve, whilst speaking
Like your digniiied self, oh, sagest of sis
4ersr laughed the willful Cecil.
Al little nettled, Louise Vane was about to
make asharp ret0rt, when q low, deep. melo-
dious voicefrom behind them said, archly:
Good morning to you both, fair ladieG."
The sisters turned and hastily rose from
their improvisedBeats OF Single. for, stand
ing. behind them, hats in hand, and with q
smile OF greeting on their faces, were Major
Ross and his friend Capt. Dynevor, who had
strolled down from the hot, stuffy barracks
to catch o. Whit OF ozone on the beach. So
many persons were walking, or rather
stumbling up and down the long stretch of
Ehingle, Chat the footsteps of the two officers
until, as stated, they had arrived SO close to
them as to be able to address them.
Louise Vane received them with the self
possession Of @ thoroughly well bred woman.
Her greeting was cordial, but at the same
time dignifed. Poor little Cecil, on the con-
trary, grew hot and cold by turns, land then
flushed crimson over face and brow. How
much might they not have overheard of what
she had been saying to her'sister2
What should you say to a walk with us as
lar as Kingsdown, L0uiseP asked Capt by.
nevor Of Miss vane of whem he had taken
Il possession as 2 matter of right, his brother
lady,s hance II know you'd both like to
look at Ross new yacht. She's little
''Of' what size Is she, Wilfrid2' inquired
"Oh, only about five tons. Justlarge enough
70 take four or five Of us for cruise"
Her namc Ia the Tarantula"
On, that is really too badf' exclaimed
We will call her the Cecil, If you like" put
In Major Ross, with a demure smile, and a
covert c1s glance downward at the bright face at
Cecil got her coqpettish artillery in order,
THANK YOU" she said, casting an arch
glance at the handsome, stalwart major,
Through half-closed dark eyeashes. THAT
the compliment"
'Henoeforth my yacht is the Cecil, . said
Major Ross, gallantly.
That's one for me, " thought Cecil.
sb hSpe Mss 4ss tSs Il
his yacht may not be ominous for Ress'
How sol" asked Cecil. !.
Why, you know, the bite of the tarantula
Cecil colored La spite Of herself. She fam
cied Capt. Dynevor penetrated her design of
Dowitching the sedate looking soldier on
., oh II dare q say Iajor Ross can take care of
s'Old enough" she was about to say, when
y glance from her sister warned her of the
rudeness she had been about to perpetrate,
&nQ 8ne stopped suddenly.
Major Ross smiled
do you know" he said pleasantly, 'that
you often put me In mind of shakespeare's
Cecil did not know whether to take this as
q Accomplishment or otherwise. It might be COM
plimentary TO her powers of repartee. But,
on the other hand, there was no Disgusting
the fact that Beatrice was somewhat free and
easy In her habit Of addressing gentlemen-
rather forward In fact.
do not altogether admire Beatrice" she
said, hesitatingly.
(" Not admire Beatrieey' exclaimed Ernest
hoss; In my opinion. she is the very queen
Perhaps 80. But only fancy her being
talked into falling in love with Benedict"
Benedict was equally foolish
An, but Benedict was q man" retorted
\ That MEANS" said Major Ross, Laughing.
That men are so vain that the mere hint BY
n third party that a woman admires him will
bring man to that woman's feet"
Women are more prudent and Eeticent,
said Louise Nane, with dignity.
"Not always" returned Major Ross, quiet
ly believe that In her heart OF hearts,
Beatrice always intended to try to captivate
Benedict, even Ii she had not overheard the
other ladies' praising him"
Cecil colored scarlet. The subject was get
ting warm. She began to feel certain that
Major Ross had overheard her wager with
ALus cOnUMueu bEe mayor, relentieSSly
pursuing his advantage, 81 believe the very
factof any man seeming to be impervious to
the shafts OF feminine artillery'--here he
glanced maliciously at Cecil-"pIts the whole
sex In arms, to see who shall have the glory
OF finding out some treacherous ehink in the
armor In which he has eneased HIMSELF"
i haven't scored this tkne" said Cecil to
herself. That's one for him." Their she said,
aloud, but, surely you do not call Beatrice
% coluette n
oh, yes, do and one of the most danger
GUS sort"
.sAnd that is"
Those who hide their intention to captivate
the opposite sex beneath the mask OF indiffer-
ence."
Cecil, for once in her life, when indulging in
badinage with gent emen, had not word to
reply. She felt, as she Afterwards expressed
it. completely "sbut up.''
Dynevor and Louise Vaae had stroled ON
lcufr yuaN ahpnd and 1ra..n ua itir.x