The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-25

nc ha4 NASANCb"
He was a handsome man Of the machi-
avelian type Of countenance.
Dark, with pointed black moustache,
large black eyes, low forehead, and thin
lips with an habitual sneer ever upon
them
Horace Austen shook hands with him,
and replied:
1--WE were arguing about young lady
we saw at the Countess of Argand's last
night; st. Albans is such killer
that he seems to imagine he has only to
look at girl, and she is Immediately won.
was maintaining that this young lady
would prove an exception to the rule"
perhaps Captain st. Albans argues
from experience" observed Barbsly with
his usual satirical smile. "But may I
enquire who the young lady in question
is ="
miss Carlton" replied Austen; "one of
the finest girls in London"
A slight change passed across Barbs-
ly's countenance, but he regained his
composure so rapidly that neither of his
companions noticed it.
II am acquainted with the young lady
you have been speaking about" said he
quickly, land l am of your opinion, Aus
ten, that in spite Of his well known sue
cesses among the fair sex, he is boasting
of what he would find beyond his
strength"
81 was not boasting At ALL" remarked
ST. Adams quietly, 81 merely observed
that thought Miss Carlton was consti-
tuted very much like other young ladies'
"In what respectT'
"In that any decent-looking man, who
chose to take the trouble, could win her.
answered st. Albans.
"You are wrong, st. Albans," exclaimed
Barbsly, who had turned round and was
now walking with the two friendsi ''you
are wrong, / can assure you. l have
known Miss Carlton for some time, and
she is utterly without heart"
"Do you think sol" asked the guards
man negligently.
81 am sure of it." replied Barbsly, in
for him a somewhat excited mannerj
sand, what is more, will back my opin-
ION for FIVE hundred-a thousand-any
sum you like"
1T is scarcely thing care for betting
about" answered st. Albans.
What, have you changed your mindr
cried Barbsly. II thought sou
81 have not altered my opinion in the
least" answered st. Adams; "but when I
was at Eton it was not considered good
form to bet about women; perhaps they
have different ideas where you have been
travelling Where is it-Africa, South
America, or Japan"
For moment Barbsly clenched his
teeth, and lurid light shone in his eyes,
but by q violent effort he succeeded in
dismissing his emotion, and replied with
low mocking laugh:
That's a very good excuse, st. AIbans,
but it won't hold water. You can't pre-
tend tothink that anything that occurred
between us in confidence would ever be
divulged. Whenever a man contradicts
or differs from me, 1 always like him to
back his opinion, unless, indeed, he has
conscientious scruples; but you are not q
Quaker, Captain st. Albans, are your
"Ha, ha, har' laughed Austen. Take
his bet, Harry. 1t is only bit of fun, of
course, and will never be known beyond
ourselves"
Il don't like it." said st. Albans
"Will you retract your opinion theni"
mo, I'll be hanged if do" replied
the guardsman. "I'H take your wager
How much shall it BET"
whatever you like"
"Say FIVE hundred pounds, then"
"ATl right" agreed Barbsly, pulling out
a little betting book, and making a note
''And what length Of time will you take
TO bring this naughty young lady down
10 her bearingsf" 7"
"Shall we say three months7"
ooh, you had better take until Christ
mas" answered the other; lit will give
you more chance; and you will require
all that time-and year or two longer
Just as you like" said st. Adams care.
leasly.
"Then it stands as follows" exclaimed
Barbsly, looking at his book: "Captair
St. Albans bets Marcus Barbsly FIVE hun.
dred pounds that be viii win Isabel Carl
ton within the space of six months; dateC
the 18th of June, IS
THAT win do" replied the guardsmal
Estlessly; then turning round he added
I'VE are going down st. James's-s s-street
which way are you traveling?"
This hint was too plain to be resisted
Barbsly colored deeply, and was about {
make remark. but controlling himsel
he remarked
81 am going straight on. Bye-bye"
why did you get rid of Barbsly ik
that 2" enquired Austen as soon as the
were alone.
because the fellow is such consum
mate cad" answered st. Albans. II neve
could bear the man, but after this after
moons business, dislike him more tina
ever"
what has he done T' asked Austen.
'Why, your own common sense ougf
10 tell you,' responded the guardsmal
who was more put out than his friend ha
ever seen him. "In the first place he ha
no right, as a gentleman-which he
supposed to be-to offer to bet about Is'
bel Carlton; and then seeing that 1 di
not care about it. it was a most ill-bre
thing for him to force the wager upon n
in the manner in which he didl'
"But if you didn't like it," inquire
Austen, "why did You accept it
"Because I'm fool" answered St. A
bans CURLY.
mo, Harry, you are not fool" o.
served Austen; but
Look here, old man." interrupted h
friend, "let us drop the subject please.
am sick of it, and for two pins I'd sci
the fellow his money and scratch Il
bet
CHAPTER II.
GOOD COMMENCEMENT.
After this Austen held his peace, al
they continued to walk on in silence.
They had just arrived at the end
the street. and were about to cross owe
when a sudden exclamation from b
friend drew St. Adams attention to an o
gentleman who was Standing nearly
the centre of the roadway.
Owing to a levee that was being held