The sun., 1886-08-19
WINNING THE PRIZE.

II shall 20 to the country we'll armed
for conquest that's certain" laughed
Lou Harding. q rich young widow,
tossing a pile OF dainty laces into the
lap of her paid companion with tho in
junction to hurry up and get those
flounces made as soon as possible.
1--WE 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 q magnificent
catch he is. So I 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?" And there was
Just sufficient shade of truth in the
jesting inquiry to make Mrs. Harding
vince little. for there was no deny
ing 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?'
she added, turning, with one OF her
charming smiles, to Mrs. Harding s
companion.
''Oh, 1 shall be happy enough. never
fear" said the latter. returning the
smile with one equally as bright over
her lapful of laces. II shall not be
burdened with society cares and con-
quests. you. know. so when Mrs.
Harding doesn't need me l shall be out
gathering wild flowers and exploring
natures beauties. dearly love the
country for ITSELF
''Bravo!' cried Miss Remington,
gayly, while Mrs. Harding merely
arched her black brows and shrugged
her elegant shoulders. as if the likes or
dislikes of her paid companion were
several degrees beneath her notice.
When the season" was fairly in
augurated it found the young widow
and her party delightfully."- established
in one of the quietest of the fashion
able 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.
Harding would have chosen it as the
favored spot wherein to display her
ravishing new toilettes had it not been
for Hugh Mansfeld's presence there.
For beneath her light jests upon the
subject was firm determined purpose
10 win the handsome young million
sire in the face of all possible rivalry.
And it soon began to look as if she
had not made vain boast. Lou Hard
ing, if not a beauty, was quite pretty
enough to turn young mans head,
ind her black eyes, fine figure and
oquettish airs were really bewildering
n the array of charming tennis suits.
lainty beribboned morning gowns and
exquisite ball dresses, that displayed
them to the best advantage.
And 80 Hugh Mansfield evidently
thought. At least he paid her many
Hattering attentions, and the pretty
widows heart beat high with hope.
didn't 1 tell you meant to win the
great prize?" she retorted, with a tri-
umphapt 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 complacent
laugh.
ESPECIALLY when she has the ducats
with which to back up her other fas-
,inations" laughed Fannie, with a
,aucy little grimace.
"Well, as l never entered the lists
against you. can afford to let you
BOAST a little. Anyway, Hugh Mans
ield ISN'T the only conqaest-
But here the young lady checked her
self abruptly, biting her saucy red lip
while a sudden vivid color flushed her
pretty cheeks.
.'Oh. you may as well spare youl
bushes. Fan; don't you suppose we car
all see which way the wind is blow.
ing?" teased Mis-. Harding witk hes
self-satisfied little laugh. well, l ad-
mire your taste as well as your discre-
ton. For since you can't have first
choice catch of the season, you know
why. Captain Carroll is certainly a
splendid substitute
..Pd advise you not to count your
Chickens &C., Lou. You know the
old proverb," retorted Fannie, a
wicked sparkle in her pleasant brown
eyes. ''Now, Miss Leslie here has
never a 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 jus,
dying to capture him."
''Miss Remington!"
There was a 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-
ton to the confidential chat which had
been going on. as usual, regardless oi
her presence.
For it seemed to be cardinal point
in the rich young widows creed to
treat her hired dependents as if they
were mere sticks or stones.
L.-slie could NOT feel angry with the
charming .-srl who always championed
her cause so sw,.-.stly-"spoited her,