The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-06-09
PLAYING WITH I


Of pretty girls-a masculine back or.
foreground. as the case might be, for
their feminine loyliness- A trying po-
sition, certainly, yet one which 1t would
be doing George Waldron grievous in
justice not TO acknowledge that he took
most kindly.
A trying position, even when the lat
est fashion, the newest thing in hats.
the last style Of dressing the hair, is be-
ing discussed; but doubly trying when
four feminine tongues are waxing both
shrill and eloquent, TO the utter drown
ing Of any bass notes one Of the
tongues in question belonging TO the
fancee of the poor martyr, and the sub
lect-another man!
Yet again my sympathy betrays poor
George Waldron into the injustice
against which / have just been striving
10 protect him. II all the martyrs went
o the stake with such kindly, smiling
aces, surely our pity has been utterly
thrown away. They might better be-
ttow it upon us. so George doubtless
.hinks-we might bestow 1t upon the
other man"
"A regular male flirt, my dearr' ex-
claimed little Gertie Somers, addressing
hem all plurally by the singular adjec-
i've. They say the walls OF his rooms
are literally lined with trophies pic
ure here. a slipper there, a glove some
where else, each suggestive Of a battle
and q victory. Doubtless ove his door
way he has metaphorically inscribed.
See the conquering hero comes and
permits no one but himself to cross the
threshold, lest the mantle Of fame
should fall on undeserving shoulders"
Peals Of laughter followed this last
,ally, in which George joined. muir
| nuring tho air of the verse suggested.
But it's all true" broke in Hilda
Grey; ''it's no use trying to resist him.
Each one in urn thinks. up to the time
pf meeting her, 1t has been mere past
lime; it has been left for her TO subject
The invincible. My sisters. beware!-
rs q dangerous experiment, like play
ng with fire."
Nevertheless, 1 should like TO try
IT," said another voice, almost as
ihough the words had burst from the
speaker without consciousness or voli-
| ion Of her own.
Your exclaimed the other voices.
10 breath.
The masculine tones were silent, but
his eyes had turned with the others In
| The direction Of the daring speaker. and
q their depths was q sort Of panied
iurprise. -
"Yes, l." she retorted with q musica
little laugh. why notp"
"What does George sayP" says on
Of the three.
'sHe Is here to answer for himself
Why should he care? George, may
flirt just a little with Aubrey Maxwell
and beat him with his own weapons,
i canp"
~ shouldn't like you to be worsted
Maud" he said very quietly. .Tn
afraid. in that case, somebody woult
be more hurt than either Of the combat
tants.n
Don't anticipate such a catastrophe
my lord she retorted saucily, sweep
ing him n courtesy. II have no inten
ton Of returning you your freedom; on
ly i want the loan Of mine for a littl,
while. Give it to me, George. j shan
have it long, wen to play with"
This last sentence won the day. True
he was to have her all his own soon
this bright. beautiful, bewitching girl
1t was, after all, but a child's within; blu
he withdrew active opposition with AZ
ominous shake of the head, and a sink
ing of the heart, which he declared u
himself both weak and foolish.
Again the din of voices rose higher
but one was silent-one had been silen
from the first. In three pairs of eye
was mirthful fun; in N pair n luri,
CLEAN of malicious envy. But at las
the little group dispersed. She alon,
was within the room. Then the thir
lips moved.
Il have lost him, Maud Riversr' sh,
half muttered. under her breath
''but you shall never win Aubrey Max
well, though your half hours triumph
might grow into a lifetime"
The battle had begun. Wa 1t TO tn,
weak or strong?
Even now that Miss Rivers is engag
ed, she could not refrain from her oil,
love Of coquetry, " the gossips said; ''bu
what could Mr.. Waldron be thinking o
10 allow itPi
what had he been thinking of no
TO forbid it ut the outsetP" he aske,
himself, except that to deny Maud any
thing had never entered the honest fel
lows head.
Once he demonstrated with her. Il
was after an evening party, when he hae
gone idly into a dimly-lighted conser
vatory, only to stumble upon Maud ant
Aubrey Maxwell seated in the half
light, among the fragrance and bloom
OF the lowers-he seeming to drink IL
each word and look she uttered-sht
speaking far more with her eyes thar
lips. He had gone ont from them ours
ing himself, and the next day he tolc
Maud the thing must end.
"Give me just one week longer.
don't want them to say l was routed
But long after he had left her she sa'
motionlcss. One week, one little week
and then she must give up Aubre,
Maxwell forever. OF course there coull
be no choice between him and George
She loved George. In two short month,
she was to be his wife, and then-ant
then she must never see Aubrey again
what was folly now would be wicked
ness then.
But what is this quick pain at her hear
sharper than any stabp The memory
of a soft .'Good-night' swept over her,
the tender pressure Of q hand. the
A. -.