The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-11-30
IHE wager.

National Aagasias,
80 hehas actually laid q wager thu
he will marry me before we start 70
Saratoga, one, two, nearly thre
months" said Mrs, Dayton, leanin
back on the sofa and laughing merrlly
"Ah, me! he has mistaken me, hav
had enough Of matrimony, and my pres
emit lie Of freedom suits me-"
~ admire the mans impudence, sal
her companion, Mrs. GraAtley Harring
ton; 'He has never even seen you vel
has heH"
"No. Tell me exactly how it hap
Certainly Graalley invited hi
cousin, Harry Vaughn, Mr.. Georg
Coates and this Irresistible HoraC,
Cooke to dine with him yesterday. Ate
presiding at dinner !, OF course, left thu
table after dessert; about an hour later
was passing through the hall, when
heard Mr., Cooke say:
$50 this charming widow, Mrs. Day
ton, has vowed never to marry again.
want a wife, and from your description
think she would suit me. What will
you bet make her break hor vow?n
"a thousand dollars, said Harry.
"Donem said Mr.. Cook. "When ouI
party starts for Saratoga in May the
charming widow will join the party al
Mrs, Horace Cooke"
" went up stairs, but | determined to
put you on your guard, for tonight, at
our house, you will meet him."
"NpVer fear for me. I'll have him at
my feet In week" and again the sIlvery
laugh rung through the parlor.
Mrs. Harrington and Horace Cooke
were standing few hours later In the
formers brilliantly lighted parlors,
There were beautiful women aud
handsome men all around them, but the
star OF the evening was not there. II
was fancy party, and Mrs. Harrington,
a lovely little blonde, in charming con.
trast TO the tall brigand beside her,
whose fine figure and dark, handsome
face suited we'll his dress.
"May tell your fortuneP" said a
sweet, low voice beside the couple, and
they turned. one quick glance passed
between the speaker aud Mrs. Harring.
ton, and then the hostess passed on to
receive other guests.
"stay, lady, let me tell your fortune"
said the gypsy.
mo, tell my friends. ,Mr. Cooke, l
beg your pardon, Conrad, you will lis.
ten, and she moved away. Mr. Cookies
eyes were riveted upon his companion,
aud he mechanically offered his hand
for her perusal.
She was startling, beautiful figure.
Her scarlet skirt, short and full. was
in gold with strange tig.
ures, and the tiny foot II left exposed
was cased In a scarlet boot embroidered
in the came way. The body OF the dress
was OF white muslin, made full but cut
so as TO leave the neck and arms bare.
A brilliant scarf was bound from the
right shoulder, 10 make full bow at the
lett side. A turban of white was on her
hair, which fell beneath 1t In rich black
masses almost 10 the wearCr's feet. A
graceful figure, medium height, large
black eyes, a rich, clear complexion,
with a clear color, completed the pic.
ture.
"Youriortune," shc said, as she dream.
lily scanned the palm OF his hand, ITO
WOO where you can"
Two walters whirled In between the
couple, and when Mr.. Cooke again
looked for the gypsy she was gone. II
was q long time before he saw her again /;
but at last he found her. She was
standing alone, near a table, lazily turn.
ing the leaves Of an annual. 1t was in
a little sitting room leading from the
parlor and she was its sole occupant.
"Will you not finish telling my for.
tuner" said he, coming 10. She started.
"0h," abe said, ~ dare not. Ny spell
was SO violently broken am afraid 10
renew IT,"
Afraid read your face wrongly.
should have said that the spirit shining
through your eyes scorned iear.n
80, while l studied your hand, you
speCulated about my face
"Could anyone let such q face pas
him and not try TO read it,"
A low, knocking courtesy was the an
swer to tue compliment. They stood an
hour In the little room, and, when Hor
ace at length offered his arm to escor
the charming gypsy TO the parlor, hi
wished devontly that the hour coult
have been doubled or multiplied indefi
nittly.
"Slrs. Harrington" said Mr.. Cooke
meeting tho hostess In tho room, "whet
10 the Irresistible Mrs. Dayton expected
TO honor us2"
"Why" said Mrs. Harrington, "yor
have the irresistible Mrs. Dayton hang
Ing on your arm. Has nobody Intro
duced you yet? Let mo do II. Mrs
Dayton, this Is Mr.. Cooke, Mr.. Cooke
Mira. Dayton. Now | hope you know
each other.
Mrs. Dayton's eyes were fixed on III,
carpet, but there was world Of misChie
lurking In them, II her partner Coulc
have seen II.
49," she said, at length, u have, |
seems, the enviAble reputation OF bein
lrreslGtible7'
"a reputation 90 well deserved al
scarcely 10 merit repetition" was th
reply. ra1 D,