The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1889-12-28
TOURNAMENT OF LOVE.
How GLADYS the Fair betrayed the Con
fdence of Two Admirers.

How GLADYS the Fair betrayed the Con-
fdencs of Two Admirers.
The two young men had called al
most simultaneously. George sat on
the sofa; Albert on the little reception
chair with the gilt legs. Between
them, in the great armchair, sat the
fair girl whom they had assiduously
courted during the whole summer at the
salubrious resort Of Squillville Springs,
The two Young men glared at each
other, and each stole furtive glances at
the lovely Gladys. Conversation lan-
guishcd. A pail Of gloom had settled
down upon therstately parlor, crowded
with luxurious furniture and rare bric-
a-brac. At last Gladys spoke, with
resolution in her silvery tongue.
'Gcntemen," she said; this thing
has gone far enough. Business, 1t is
generally conceded, is Business. Am
in error in assuming that each Of you
has called here tonight with a special
object in view, and ! am the special OBJ
ject.
Miss derdonk--Gladys- began
both the young men at once.
"That will dol' interrupted the fair
waste no time II you have any propo-
sitions to make and specifications to
submit you might just as well do u
while the furnace fire holds out TO burn.
IL is as fair for one as for the othor
May | suggest that the arbitrament of a
coin heads or tails, might appropriately
decide who is to have the initial i'm
ning?"
"Will you match me?'' inquired George,
covering with his hand thequarter which
ho had laid upon his knee.
a will, now or any time responded
Albert, flercely, as he iiattened his palm
over half-dime with q hole in IL.
They lifted their hands. Albert had
not matched.
GLADYS, began George, with height
ened color, II love you. Whatever
, wealth can do to make you happy shall
be yours. II were the lowest, the
humblest, the most hopeless Of all suit
ors, would not be more your slave"
''Do you mean that?" queried the girl
| with downcast eyes
"Indeed dol" cried the young man
| with vehemenee. III were why, II
were William Bliven, that poor devi
7 you used to snub so at the Springs,
j could not be more at your mercy"
t ''And you, = inquired the lovely Gladys
r turning toward Albert, whose heels wer'
r working nervously and rubbing all thu
z gilt of the legs of the reception-chair
t what have you TO say?"
n "Gladys,n he began, II can not da2
! zle you with visions of wealth and splcn
Y dor. am not rich
i ''You are not, interrupted George
B, 'you and William Bliven might jus
y pair up on wealth, and then you may b
you'd be able TO buy one beer betwee
Q you"
~ may not be Mr.. Bliven's superic
y in worldly goods, retorted Albert fiusf
IS ing proudly; "but certainly am in maj
IS ners; and | wish ] could say that muc
r for you."
sIndeedP" returned the young plut'
crat, superciliously: II always suppose
that you and Bliyen got your manner
together, in the same place that you e
y your clothes. They always struck N
~ ~ as being ready-made.
"You appear TO know more about NJ
re Bliven than ! do" was Albert's Icy r
N sponse; your taste for low associate
al was well known at the Springs, Bu
s. as l was saying, Gladys, while ha'
in not material wealth, il the devotion
IL heart that is wholly yours"
er "Say no more, gentlemen said Gl
" dys, rising and smiling sweetly. 'It
O. but yesterday that Mr.. William Bliy'
n. wrote me, asking me for my hand.
Mt had just written my acceptance Of h
n proposal, when you arrived, and
vs. thought it was only just to give VI
sr. both chance. You have had 1t. Herr
,s. the letter. Will one Of you gentlem
a do me the kindness TO mail IL? II n
It. Bliven is not here by nine o'clock
to morrow, shall have reason to dou
*. the affection you have so eloquently c
he pressed Good evening, gentlemen"
in And as the fair young girl swe
rs, gracefully from the room, the fire in d
en- furnace collapsed with chilly thud
he Puck.