The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-07-30
SELECT STORY.
WINNING TIE PRIZE.
BY CLYDE RAYMOND.

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BY CLYDE RAYMOND.
81 shall go to the country well arm
ed for conquest, thatt certain laugh
ed Lou Harding, rich young widow
tossing pile of dainty laces into the
lap of her paid companion with the
injunction to "hurry up and get those
founces made as soon as possible"
"l've learned that Hugh Mansfield
is to spend part of the summer there,
she went on, turning again to the
friend who had run in to discuss with
her their plans for the season, "and
you know, Fannie, what magnificent
catch he is. SO l warn you in time
that we shall be deadly rivals, for Of
course you will try as hard as any OF
us to land the big fish
"Oh, yield to the inevitable at the
very outset, returned Fannie Reming-
ton, banteringly; ''for what earthly
chance will my poor beauty have
against your gold p And there was
| just sufficient shade of truth in the
jesting inquiry to make Mrs. Harding
vince little, for there was no denying
that her friend Fannie had, by far, the
advantage in the way of good looks.
But what will Miss Weir be doing in
the meantime while all the rest of us
are quarreling over the great prize p
she added, turning, with one of her
charming smiles, to Mrs Harding's
companion.
"Oh, shall be happy enough, never
fear, said the latter, returning the smile
with one equally as bright over her
lapful of laces. 81 shall not be burden
ed with society cares and conquests,
you know, SO when Mrs. Harding does
at need me shall be out gathering
wild flowers and exploring natures
beauties. l dearly love the country for
ITSELF"
"Bravo!" cried Miss Remington gay
ly, while Mrs. Harding merely arched
her black brows and shrugged her ele-
CANT shoulders, as if the likes or dis
likes of her paid companion were sew
eral degrees beneath her notice.
When "the season" was fairly inau-
gurated it found the young widow and
her party delightfully."- established in
one of the quietest of the fashionable
watering places, if there is such a thing
as a place being quiet after Fashion
has once found it out.
1t is doubtful however, if Mrs. Hard
ing would have chosen it as the favor
ed spot wherein to display her ravish-
ing new toilettes had it not been for
Hugh Manstields presence there For
beneath her light jests upon the sub
ject was firm, determined purpose to
win the handsome young millionaire in
the face of all possible rivalry.
And it soon began to look as if she
had not made a ven boast. Lou
Harding, if not beauty, was quite
pretty enough to turn young mans
head, and her black eyes, fine figure
and coquettish airs were really bewild-
eriEg in the array of charming tennis
suits, dainty be-ribboned morning
gowns and exquisite ball dresses that
displayed them to the best advantage.
And so Hugh Mansfield evidently
thought. AT least he paid her many
flattering attentions, and the pretty
widows heart beat high with hope.
'Didn't | tell you | meant to win
the great price she retorted, with
triumphant snap in her black eyes, as
Fannie, in mock indignation, bantered
her upon getting the lions share of
the young millionaire's attentions.
"When young widow enters the
field of conquest, you poor girls might
as we'll give up the struggle first as
last" she added, with a complacent
laugh.
Especially when she has the ducats
with which to back up her other fasci-
nations" laughed Fannie, with a saucy
little grimace.
"Well as | never entered the lists
against you, / can afford to let you
boast little. Anyway, Hugh Mans
field isn't the only conquest"
But here the young lady checked
herself abruptly, biting her saucy red
lip, while sudden vivid color flushed
her pretty cheeks.
sob, you may as well spare your
bushes, Fan Don't you suppose we
can all see which way the wind is blow
ing9" teased Mrs. Harding, with a
self-satisfed little laugh. ''Well,
admit your taste as well as your dis
cretion, for since yon cant have first
choice-catch of the season you know
why, Captain Carroll is certainly
splendid substitute"
"I'd adyise You not to count your
chickens, etc, Lou. You know the
old proverb, J." retorted Fannie, wick
ed sparkle in her pleasant brown eyes.
Nov, Miss Leslie here has never
word to say on the subject, yet it
wouldn't surprise me at all if the big
fish were to land himself in her modest
net, despite all the rich widows and
marriageable girls who are just dying
to capture him.
"Miss Remington
There was thrill of indignant sur.
prise in the clear, sweet tones as Leslie
Weir with an abrupt, startled move
ment, lifted her head from the book she
had been reading, paying little atten-
tion to the confidential chat which had
been going on, as usual, regardless of
her presence.
For it seemed to be cardinal point
in the rich widows creed to treat her
hired dependents as if they were
mere sticks or stones.
Leslie could not feel angry with the
charming girl, who always championed
her cause so sweetly-"spoiled her"