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

less than ask the lady to join him in it.
Il fear, Miss Wellmet, You will find
me an Indifferent partner" he apollo.
gized; Should I make mistakes, I
must trust to You to set them right"
He did make several mistakes ut
first, but Coryphe corrected them so
pleasantly that his embarrassment was
trifling, and soon quite wore off; and,
after a few turns, his mathematical
head so completely mastered the fig
IRE that none would have known but
he had taken double first" at Mon
sieur Caricole's dancing academy.
The quadrille over Mr.. cambridge
led Coryphe to seat and engaged her
in conversation in which both seemed
deeply interested.
isn't she doing beautifully" said
Dick to himself, looking on from dis.
lance, 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.
mingly!" Dick mentally calculated. IL
must manage to have him see her
home. At this rate 1 shall win far in
side of time!"
Approaching and casting a meaning
look at Coryphe:
would you mind if I went home
and left you in Mr.. Dandridge's care?"
he asked. "I-I've been taken with q
racking headache. I'm sure owe
Bruce here no apology for affording
him real pleasure"
I MIR. StrOut was excused, and, as it
seemed to him, almost with thanks.
Next day, when he called to hear
Coryphe's report of progress, he was
gratitied to find that Bruce cambridge
had preceded him. 1t nearly looked as
if his own coming had disturbed tete-
a.tete.
MIR. Strout couldn't help rubbing his
hands in silent glee. He made but a
brief stay. He was far too shrewd to
mar his chances by trenchipg on the
rule that "two's company"
"Isn't she triumph" he cried, as he
walked home exultant.
And day after day, as Richard re-
newed his visits, he found Coryphe
and Bruce together. 1t almost seemed
as if it we're the same tete-a-tete con-
tinued.
wont Charley Brace and Bruce
cambridge" he chuckled, "look like a
precious pair of noodles when the one
nears his money jingling in my pocket
and I've married Coryphe under the
others nose?"
Business called Richard Strout to
the city for few days. He sent note
to Coryphe, exhorting her to keep ii
up lively" limiting that on his return
he should have secret of his own to
disclose, the nature of which she had
probably long ago surmised.
Dick and Charley Brace had agreed
that their wager should be lett to Cory
phe's decision, for reasons of delicacy
to be communicated secretly; and Dick
went away convinced that good news
would await his return.
Three days suficed for his business
in the city, and Dick was taking q
parting stroll down broadway to kill
the hours till train time.
He stopped suddenly. From the
door of hotel lady and gentleman
came out and were about entering 8
carriage having a pile Of trunks on the
top.
! ,"Hello, Dick!' cried Bruce Dan
bridge, on whose arm hung Coryphe
blushing like a rose. Sorry my wife
and I didn't meet you sooner"
"Your wi" Dick coulan't finish the
word.
eyes; it was quiet little affair, you
see-no cards--no fuss--and now we're
on our way to the steamer for quiet
little wedding-trip to Europe. But
by-by, old fellow; times up"
What it was that Dick muttered, We
won't pretend to say. If it was con
graduation, it stuck in his throat. Cor
yphe waved her hand from the carriage
window, and Dick turned away with i
mumbled malediction on the sex.
He had won his bet, but lost the
prize he most had coveted.-N Y
Ledger.