Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1888-04-10
peII,s Wager.

=. What queer-looking yellow
house that is,'' said Dell Duval,
/ pointing with her parasol in the di-
rertion of a canary-eolored cottage.
And the owner is queer, too"
said Minnie Hammond, who with her
sister Sarah made one OF the party
on the hill that bright day.
His name is Isaac Golden, and
the story runs that he was crossed in
love and since then has lived all
alone in that yellow house which he
calls The Suntiower.' There he is.
now as man of about thirty came
out of the cottage and disappeared
among the trees.
- 1 should like TO meet him very
nuch," said Deb, who was something
of flirt. az am always interested
in romantic life.''
When they were leaving the hill
for home she turned to Minnie and
said with laugh: .. Minnie, will
make you a wager of my opal ring
against your volume of Mrs. Brown
ing's poems that Twill get Mr.. Gold
en- to propose'to me before the sum-
mer is over The other, full of the
spirit of mischief, readily assented TO
the wager, and so they separated:
Opportunities were not wanting for
Dell to meet Mr. Golden and they
were soon on friendly terms with each
other. One day, when she was out
boating, in trying to reach for some
water lilies she fell in the lake and
would have undoubtedly perished il
he had not appeared and saved her
life.
She began to he q. little ashamed of
her wager after that, but the summer
was drawing to close and still he
did not speak. One. day as she was
driving by the yellow cottage he came
out and asked her If she would not
like TO look at his flower garden
So she hitched up the horse in the
shade and went in the gate among
the sunHowcrs and blooming plants.
Dell laughed when she saw them,
but the view of the surrounding
country was very fine and she praised
il to Mr.. Golden's content. Then
she said she must go at once for the
girls would he uneasy about her.
81 must bid you goodbye" she
said as her host placed her upon her
horse, '' for 1 am to go home to-mor-
row."
Sc So soon!" he exclaimed quickly.
Yes, and may not see you
again. Goodbye ;"
Good-bye," he retorted, taking
her hand. g Always wear blue riding
habits and smoking caps with feath-
ers on them for they are very become
ing" IS.
Blushing rosily she rode away
50 Smoking caps, indeedi" she ex-
Lclaimed. :. Well, L have lost my
wager, and more too" she added
with sigh; g but no one shall know
of it,"
Toward evening she sat under an
| apple tree in the corner of the gar
den thinking of her folly, and the
tears rose to her eyes. Suddenly
she heard footsteps approaching and
in moment Mr.. Golden stood be-
side her.
Strange TO say he seemed nervous
and excited.
She rose in embarrassment, the re-
suit of her recent mood, and to cover
confusion invited him to go into the
house.
Z" Stay, please" he said, gently
detaining her. :" I've something I
wish to tell YOU" And he went on
rapidly, 81 love you. Dell, earnestly
and sincerely. Won't you take pity
on me and accept me for yOur hus-
band?"
Startled by this abrupt declaration
Dell's face grew red and then white,
and finally she burst into tears
- You wouldn't care for me If you
knew how I talked about you," she
said at last.
81 don't believe you said any
thing very dreadful" he replied
with smile as he drew her TO him
Tell me about it.
After much persuasion she told
him of the wager she had made with
Minnie.
''Is that aIi ?" he replied coolly. L
know it already for heard you"
At this she dried her eyes, and, true
to her character, even in that bIissful
moment, boxed his cars.
SO think am entitled to the ring"
he said. " Won't you give it TO me,
pIease2"
Yes" she replied; " though 1
don'tlike 10 oseegentIeman wear rings.
g Nor 1 5" and he slipped it on his
watch chain.
| Minnie spied the ring at once when
they entered the house few moments
later.
"You say"-she beganlaugh-
ing.
Dell blushed.
We do, indeed. said Mr. Golden.
smiling as he took Dell's hand in his
own. :" Allow me, Miss Minnie, TO
present to you the future mistress of
Sunfower.'
Headache arises from different