Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-06-19
TIM'S LITTLE GAME.
How a Valiant Champion was Con-
Quered by Cupid.

Conrad Tracy rushed into the office
of his friend, Tim Oliver, one morning,
and, finding that gentleman alone.
threw himself in lounging chair in all
the abandon of grief.
''What is the matter nowP" said Tim,
as he took his friends hand in his.
81 am the most wretched man in the
world, Tim! What a terrible misfor-
tune it is to be poor!"
'.PoorP If had an income equal to
yours would throw aside all these
musty law books, lock my office door,
and never set foot within its precincts
again. l suppose that girl Hattie Mar
tial has been playing the mischief with
you once more"
''She has refused me-absolutely re-
fused to be my wife, after all these
months of encouragement. But it is
not her fault. She loves me devotedly,
know, which makes it all the worse
to bear. Her uncle, upon whom she is
dependent, says she has an allowance
of $500 year for her personal expen-
ses, a carriage at her command, and
palatial mansion to dwell in, and that
he never will consent to her marriage
with man who cannot support her in
the same style. 1t is cruel, cruel! And
to think how the dear girl loves mel"
''Hattie is fooling you, Con. She is
born jilt, and is only anxious to be
rid of you that she may spin web for
another"
''But she kissed me when we parted,
and promised eternal fidelity! Tears
were in her eyes"
''Tears? And did you believe in
themP Why, Con, woman's tears
are her artillery; they come at her
slightest summons. She can weep
floods of them and never feel heart
pang. am skeptic on the subject
of woman's tears!'
"And yet you were taken aback
when Milly Norton's eyes were full of
them at the theater the other .nightr'
"Well, yes; I'll confess to that. I
was afraid she would 60 off into fit
of hysteria, as she does sometimes, and
l am morbidly sensitive about scene;
but as TO feeling pity for her" Words
failed Tim with which to express his
contempt. He placed cigar between
his lips and leaned back in his chair
with u look of intense disdain upon his
countenance.
Conrad Tracy was good fellow, ex-
ceedingly handsome, well educated
and possessed of q neat little income
of $4,000 year. If he had fault it
was his great susceptibility to women's
charms. He was always in love, ready
to commit suicide for his reigning d.
vinity-until he saw a face that was
fairer. Thus it was in the present in
stance. A new star arose in the hori-
zon OF Belleville, bright, particular
star, whose corruscations dazzled the
eyes of all the young men in its vicini-
ty, and while quietus for the broken
heart caused by Miss Hattie's deser-
tion still stood on little shelf in Con
Tracy's dressing room in the shape of
a dose of poison, he was kneeling at
the feet of this new enchantress.
She was lovely, this Miss Lucille
Cameron, and looked for all the world
like Gainsborough picture. All the
gentlemen of the place paid court to
her, but their attentions, after at first
being graciously received, were coldly
discouraged, and it was not long be-
fore the fair Lucille had gained the
reputation of being the most arrant
coquette who had ever deigned to visit
Belleville.
Conrad Tracy was again in trouble,
and second time sought consolation
from his friend Tim. Il am more
wretched than ever" he said. "Miss
Cameron has showered favors upon
me; have dreamed of no one but her.
She accompanied me to the theaters,
permitted me to lead the german with
her, and smiled upon me when told
her OF my love. Last night, when I
asked her to marry me, she pulled nv
boquet to pieces, and, with a sneer
that i'll became her handsome face.
told me my income was not sufficient
to supply her wardrobe, and that al
though she liked me very much, [
must never speak to her on the subject
again"
lin pitied his friend this time, when
he saw how hard he had been hit, and
determined in his heart to avenge him.
He would seek Miss Cameron's ac-
qualntance and gain her affections.
de had full confidence in his ability to
win his way to the lady's heart, and he
would leave no strategem untried to
do SO. Then he would reproach her
with her perfidy to his friend, and
leave her.
A charity ball was to be given that
very evening, in which all the elite Of
the town were deeply interested.
There he would meet the beautiful
Lucille and begin his work at once.
Tim procured ticket and dressed
himself for conquest. He was very at
tractive when he chose to use his pow
ers OF fascination, and throughout the
rooms there was no one to
compare with him in manly grace and
1rbanity. 1t was seldom that Tim was
seen at an evening entertainment and
bis advent was hailed with ioy by all