San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-12-09


Of what he would find beyond his
strength"
~ was not bOasting at ALL" remarked
st. Adams quietly, II merely observed
that thought Miss Carlton was consti-
tuted very much like other young ladies'"
ain what respectf"
ain that any decent-looking man, who
chose TO take the trouble. could win her."
answered 81. Adams.
"You are wrong, ST. Allans," exclaimed
Barbsly, who had turned round and was
now walking with the two friends; .'you
are wrong, | can assure you. l have
known Miss Carlton for some time, and
she is utterly without heart"
ado you think sol" asked the guards
man negligcntly.
81 am sure Of IT," replied Barbsly, in
for him somewhat excited manner;
sand, what is more, will back my opin-
ion for FIVE hundred-a thOusand-any
sum you like"
at is scarcely thing care for betting
about" answered st AlIans.
What, have you changed your mindr
cried Barbsly. II thought so!'
81 have not altered my opinion in the
least" answered st. Adams; "but when
was at Elton il 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 Japanf"
For moment Barbsly clenched his
1insbt in,
but by violent effort he succeeded in
Diminishing his emotion, and replied with
a low hooking laugh:
That's a very good excuse, st. Adams,
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 Il man contradicts
or differs from me, always like him to
back his opinion. unless, indeed, he has
conscientious scruples; but you are not a
Quaker. Captain st. Adams, 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"
81 don't like it," said ST. Alhans.
"Will you retract your opinion theni"
"No, I'll be hanged if do" replied
the guardsman. an take your wager.
How much shall it bef"
whatever you like"
"Say FIVE hundred pounds, them
"All right" agreed Barbsly. pulling out
little betting book, and making a note.
"And what length Of time will you take
to bring this naughty young lady down
to her bearingsi"
"Shall we say three monthsf"
"Oh, you had better take until Christ
mas" answered the other; lit will give
you more chance; and you will require
all that time-and II year or two longer"
AUST as you like" said St. Adams care
leasly.
Then il stands as follows" exclaimed
Barbsly, looking at his book: Captain
ct. Adams bets Marcus Barbsly five hun
bred pounds that he Ill win Isabel Carl
ton within the space of six months; dated
the 18th Of June, 1S-"
THAT will do" replied the guardsman,
listlessly; then turning round he added:
1--WE are going down st. James's- street;
which way are you travelingT
This hint was too plain to be resisted.
Barbsly colored deeply, and was about to
make remark. but controlling himself
he remarked:
81 am going straight on. Bye-bye."
"Why did you get rid of Barbsly like
that :" enquired Austen as soon as they
were alone.
because the fellow is such consum-
mate cad" answered st. Adams. II never
could bear the man. but after this after
moons business, / dislike him more than
ever"
What has he done" asked Austen.
"Why, your own common sense ought
TO tell you," responded the guardsman,
who was more put out than his friend had
ever seen him. an the first place he had
no right, as a gentleman-which he is
supposed to be-to offer to bet about Isa-
bel Carlton; and then seeing that l did
not care about it, it was a most ill-bred
thing for him to force the wager upon me
in the manner in which he did,"
"But if you didn't like it." inquired
Austen, "why did you accept itT
because I'm fool" answered st. Al
bans CURLY.
mo. Harry, you are not a fool" OBJ
served Austen; but"
"Look here, old man." interrupted his
friend. "let US drop the subject please. l
am sick of it, and for two pins I'd send
the fellow his money and scratch the
bet"
CHAPTER II.
GOOD COMMENCEMENT.
After this Austen held his peace, and
they continued to walk on in silence.
They had just arrived at the end Of
the street, and were about to cross over.
when a sudden exclamation from his
e; AII.az.r atta,.tiuIa 10 old