The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1881-07-07
WINNING AND LOSING.

WINNING AND LOSING.
"Hai hal halt II be such a joker'-
and Richard Strout gave himself an ap-
proving wink as he stood before the
glass in admiring contemplation of a
complicated bow-knot, accomplished
at the expense of vast mental effort
and the crush and ruin of half a dozen
cravats.
1t was the evening of Mrs. Dazlitt' s
ball. All Antequam-at least all the
fashion of it-would be there, and Mr..
Richard Strout had gotten himself up
with special reference to outshining
even his own brilliant self. He was to
be the escort of Miss Coryphe Wellmet,
only daughter of q rich retired banker,
who might any day succumb to a be-
nignly providential stroke of apoplexy.
In the race in, which the stake was
the lady and her fortune Richard Strout
was sure he held the inside track. 1t
was plain, to his eyes, that she was
deeply smitten-how could she help it,
for that matter?-wasn't he, the afore-
said Richard, simply irresistible? He
hadn't just popped the question yet,
but there was plenty of time for that;
he would do it in due season-and,
when he did he had no misgivings as to
what would be the answer. Having
the fish already securely hooked, like a
true Waltonian, he would enjoy playing
it awhile.
But what was the joke Mr.. Strout
was contemplating jointly with the
wonderful bow of his crayat? Let him
unfold it to Miss Coryphe himself as
they meet in her fathers front parlor
preparatory to starting to the ball.
"See here. Corie, /" he said, touching
her elbow with a finger miraculously
gloved; "rve got little job for YOU"
"What d" is it, most noble Dick?'
"To tame bearrh
Must begin notCP she asked, with
a roguish look which seemed to intimate
that the subject to be operated on
might not be thousand miles away.
"HaI har' laughed Richard, not
quite heartily" present company, YOU
know, is excepted. The particular
grizzly on which 1 would have you
exercise your docile powers is not here,
but will be at the ball tonight You've
heard me mention Bruce cambridge" ("
he began.
"The bore and bookwormP'
Yes"
"And woman hater?''
"Exactly-how well you rememberr'
"a man too bashful to kiss his own
mother, think I've heard you say.
Well, what of this dried specimen of
yours?"
He's visiting some friends here in
Antequam, and. as 1 said, will be at
Mrs. Dazzlitt's ball tonight"
And he's your"
Bear" added Richard-"you've We
hit it straight.
Now, Corie," he continued, "rye
laid wager with Charley Brace, an old
college mate of Bruce Dandridee's and
mine, that if Bruce can be induced to
consent to an introduction to you. he'll
fall in love and propose within fort
night Won't you help me to win?''
"You don't want me to court him, do
you?" Coryphe replied-..you know it
isn't leap-year.
"No; but if you'll let yourself out to
play the agreeable. think I'll stand a
chance / know it's heavy odds, but
it proves my confidence in your
charms"
"Well, trot out your monster and let
me see him." said Coryphe, buttoning
the dozenth button of her right glove,
which completed her preparations for
departure.
Mrs Dazzlitt's spacious parlors were
already crammed when the fair Cory
phe entered with her beau The belle
of Antequam neverappeared to better
advantages; and Richard Strout's heart
swelled with pride at the consuming
envy cleaning from the circle of mas
culine eyes of which he and his beauti-
full charge were the center.
'' see him now," whispered Rich
ard. when he and Coryphe had paid
their deUoirs to the mistress OF the man
sion; ''let me bring him at once, thatno
time may be lost"
Miss Wellmet, Mr.. cambridge"
said Richard, returning and presenting
tall and singularly handsome gentle
man. who colored deeply, but, in spite
of his confusion. did and said the
right things without bit of awkward-
ness.
Richard slipped away and left the
two together. A set was forming for
dance. Bruce cambridge could do no
less than ask the lady to Join him in it.
al fear, Miss Wellmet, you will find
me an Indifferent partner" he apollo
gized; "should Imake mistakes, / must
trust to you to set them right"
He did make several mistakes at first,
but Coryphe corrected them so pleas
antly that his embarrassment was tri-
fling, and soon quite wore off; and, after
few turns, his mathematical head so
completely mastered the figure that
none would have known but he had
taken a "double first" at Monsieur
Caricole's Dancing Academy.
The quadrille over Mr.. cambridge led
Coryphe TO a seat and engaged her in a
conversation in which both seemed
deeply interested.
Isn't she doing beautifullyr' said
Dick to himself, looking on from a dis
tance, and noting the encouraging LOOKS
with which Coryphe drew Bruce out,
and the brilliant light that shone in the
latter's eyes as they met those of his
listener.
They had another dance, and another
talk together longer than the first.
by George, it's going on swim
minglyr' Dick mentally calculated.
..I must manage to have him see her
home. At this rate shall win far in
side of timer
Approaching and casting a meaning
look at Coryphe:
"Would you mind il went home and
left you in Mr.. Dandridge's care?" he
asked .I-rve bean taken with a