San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-01-19
WINNING AND LOSING.

@Hal ha! ha!-it1l be satch joke /"
and Richard Strout gave himself an ap-
nroying wink as he stood before the
class in admiring contemplation of q
com plicated bow. knot, accomplished at
the expense of vast mental effort and
the crush and ruin of half dozen era
vats.
It 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 Well
met, the tip-top beauty of Antequam
and only daughter of a rich retired
banker, who might any day succumb
to benignly 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. It was plain, to has eyes, that
she was deeply smitten; how could she
help it? Wasn't he, the aforesaid Rich
ard, simply irresistible? He hadn't
lust 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 al
ready securely hooked, like true
Waltonian, he would enjoy playing it
awhile.
But what was the joke Mr.. Strout
was contemplating jointly with the
bow of his cravat? 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 finger miraculously
gloved; "Pve got little job for you"
"What is it, most noble Dick?"
"To tame a bear"
"Must begin now?" she asked, with
: roguish look which seemed to init
mate that the subject to be operated on
might not be thousand miles away.
"Ha! hal" laughed Richard, not
quite heartily; present company, You
know, is excepted. The particular
grizzly on which I would have you ex-
ercise 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 bookworm?"
Eyes"
"And woman hater?" .
Exactly; how well you remember J!
"A man too bashful to kiss his own
mother, I think I've heard you say.
Well, what of this dried specimen OF
yours?"
"He's visiting some friends here in
Antequam, and, as L said, will be at
Mrs. Dazlitt's ball tonight"
"And he's your"
"Bear," added Richard; you've hit
it straight"
"Now, Corie," he continued, give
laid a wager with Charlie Brace, an old
college mate of Bruce Dandridge's and
mine, that if Bruce can he induced to
consent to an introduction to you, hel
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 1t
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 1t
proves my confidence in your charms. "
well, trot out your monster and let
me see him." said Coryphe, buttonlng
the dozenth button of her right glove,
which completed her preparations for
departure.
Mrs. DAzlitt's spacious parlors were
already crammed when the fair Cory
phe entered with her beau. The belle
of Antequam never appeared to better
advantage, and Richard Strouts heart
swelled with pride at the consuming
envy cleaning from the circle OF mas
culine eyes of whom he and his beautl-
full charge were the center.
Il see him now" whispered Rich
ard, when he and COryphe had PAID
their respects to the mistress OF the
mansion; ~let me bring him at once
that no time may be lost"
Miss Wellmet, Mr.. cambridge,
said Richard, returning and presenting
q tall and singularly- handsome gentle
man, who colored deeply, but In spite
Of his confusion, did and said the ngnt
things without bit of awkwardncss.
Richard slipped away and LEFT the
two together. A set was forming for q
dance. Bruce Dandridge could do no