The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-24
Janet,s Wager.

"Well, l know one thing" said pretty
Bessie Carlton decidedly. 81 never shall
marry man with red hair. May Brown
doesn't know how she has lowered her
self in my esteem by marrying such a
red headed fellow as Glen Weston. l
wouldn't have believed it of her. But
the deed is done she really has married
him; here are her wedding cards, Janet"
and she tossed them across to her friend.
-''Mo, indeed" she went on, leaning back
in her comfortable lawn-chair, 'my mind
lis made up, mark my words, Janet.
never shall marry man with red hair"
Janet laughed most provokingly.
Don't be too sure," she said in a
warning tone, there's no telling what
you may do be fore you die, as old Miss
Gaylord is always saying, "we're born
but we're not buried"
Bessie laughed, then asked seriously,
But why shouldn't / be sure | never
could marry man with red hair? be-
cause, to begin with, | never could fall
in love with him. Think how unroman-
tic it would be. In novels the heroes al
ways have waving auburn curls,' or
'jet-black locks l never have come
across one endowed with my pet abhor-
ence, red hair"
81 regret to express my feelings, Bes-
sie," said Janet coolly; "but l feel it my
duty to tell you that you are making a
goose of YOURSELF" and while her friend
stared in mixture of surprise and indig
nation she continued calmly, "To begin
with you are not in novel, so you can
hardly expect young men with auburn
tresses' and 'jet locks flying to the
wind, to be always hanging around doing
nothing, as seems to be the aim of
the impossible heroes in the impossible
romances that you refer to, and to end
with, you are only girl doomed to live
a useless, unromantic life, like all the
rest of us, until some kind creature with
black or red hair, don't know which,
shall take pity on you and marry you.
So | wouldn't be so vehement against the
unknown red-haired if were you. ''Do
you know" she cried starting up, ri will
wager box Of French bonbons that you
marry man with, not golden brown,
not auburn, but real downright red hair
what will you give me if win ?''
This diamond, answered her friend,
lazily touching the beautiful jewel at her
throat
cob, no." demonstrated Janet, 81
won't take anything SO handsome you
are too generous"
''Not at all, was the reply, "because
| am sure never shall have to give il
up"
"Eh bien. nous verrons," was the
quick retort. "Ah," changing her tone
"here come the boys" as across the
lawn toward them came two handsome
young fellows.
"What's the row. called one of.then
as he came up; "We heard your excited
voices as we rode up the avenue, ant
with our customary courage flew to the
rescue. Whose life is in danger?"
at is just this" explained Janet
"Bessie declares she will never marry &
man with red hairs Upon this Laurie
passed his hand complacently over hi:
own blonde curls. "And / have wagereC
box of bonbons against her diamond
pin that she will. Won't you take i
down in black and white, Fred?" turn
ing to her cousin.
Certainly, your majesty" And afte
a prolonged search amid his numerou,
pockets he produced diminutive note
book wherein he made most business
like record of the bet and the stake pu
up by both girls.
And now we shall see who wins.
am all anxiety, although / think will
Janet that you are doomed to lose you
bet, Miss Carlton" he said, turning t.
her.
He was tall, handsome young fellow
and Janets cousin while his companion
Laurie Edwards, was only friend down
on a fortnight's visit.
Laurie was Miss Cartoons devoted
slave, and now he cried eagerly
don't see why she should lose.
VIM
"Oh, yes, we all know she has every
opportunity, laughed Fred mischievous
| lly, causing Miss Grafton to blush anC
n Laurie to VOW vengeance against him
IA but doubt whether she will avail her
= sell OF these same opportunities, even t,
b save herself from losing