Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-02
WHICH WON?

Gerald Leighton, who had just entered
the private apartment at the Ocean House
of his friend and inseparable companion,
Hal Lyndon, threw himself into an easy
chair with a look of resolution upon his
handsome face. Hal glanced up from the
newspaper in his hands and pulled lazly
at the big cigar between his teeth.
@Of whom are you speaking, Gerald ?"
he drawled lazily. "Surely not little Vera
Langdon? Well, she is beauty, and no
mistake. But l warned you when l first
presented you to her that she is a firt.
She does not mean any harm, you know /;
but Vera Langdon can no more help flirt-
ing than bird can help singing. But
have reason-really have now, Gerald
to believe that she-ah-prefers me-"
Gerald Leighton started with a sup
pressed exclamation.
"The idea well, now, Hal, old fellow,
if this be true, you ought to speak right
out and not keep fellow in suspense. l
intend to propose to her myself if she is
free, but if, on the other hand, she is en-
gagged to you or anybody else, 1 want to
know it."
Hal Lyndon's face flushed
"No, she is not engaged to me, Gerald
not yet-but | have reason to believe that
she will be ere long. l am going to put
the subject to the test this very night"
Leighton's face grew dark.
$50 am 1. l must go now and dress.
By-by, old boy"
"Wait a moment p
Hal Lyndon sprang to his feet, all Ian
guor gone, his face wore look of interest,
his eyes shown with eager light.
Hold on Gerald / have a word or two
to say before you goout like the conquering
hero before whose onward march every
thing goes down. Miss Vera has shown
me marked favor-you can't deny that,
ell !"
Gerald shook his head slowly.
"Don't know about that. She walks
with you on the beach nearly every even
ing, it is true, but then when she returns
to the hotel parlor she is sure to engage in
conversation with me and usually tete-a-
tete talk in some convenient corner where
we are not liable to interruption. On the
whole, my boy, imagine that have the
inside track"
mot so. PIl wager you anything. Let
me see, PIl put up my ponies-they are
thoroughbreds, you know against your
yacht. What do you say, GeraldY'
''Done. 1t is bargain. One of us must
win. Of course that goes without saying,
and if l prove to be the lucky man you
must not cherish any luminosity toward
me, Hal. 1t wouldn't be my fault, you
know, and you will acknowledge that am
general favorite with the fair sex. And
now l really must go and make my toilet,
so much depends upon appearances, and
tonight must learn my fate. Au revoir."
The door opened and closed and Gerald
Leighton left his friend to his own re-
Elections.
"Confound his impudence!" growled
Hal Lyndon, savagely. Hell never get
ahead of me. l believe I'll go down on
the beach for few moments and then re-
turn, for the dinner gong will soon ring"
No sooner had Hal Lyndon disappeared
than the window blind which secured a
neighboring window was opened slyly,
softly, and an arch brunette face peeped
forth. A long breath of relief, and girl
stepped through the open window out
upon the veranda-a petite brunette, with
faultless complexion, irreproachable eyes
and teeth-a real beauty She wore
dainty gown of white and silver, and
looked like.a picture.
"Good graciousr' she laughed softly,
and her laugh, like a chime of silver bells,
was very sweet to hear. "Of all insult
ferable tops on the face of the earth!"
To whom did she refer? To which of
the two friends?
"To be sure of my favor" she went
on, angrily, the big brown eyes fash
ing with Indignation, "and above all, to
make bet-to dare to make bet-in re-
gard to me Oh, wasn't it lucky that l
happened to be in Mrs. Aliens room, right
next to Mr.. Lyndon's, and that Mrs. Allen
had stepped out for moment and begged
me to wait for her, for, being alone in the
room, glancing over the new magazine,
Glanced to hear my name, and so | kept
Iilent and therefore heard the whole plot"
She smiled sweetly, but there was mis-
,hievous twinkle in the pretty eyes.
so l am a firt, because l cannot help
t! Merci monsieur, l will take pains to
deserve the epithet. All" she went off
INTO another fit of silvery laughter, quite
DO charming" as a certain thought &C.
o1rred to her. 81 will do it, she cried at
hngth, after moment of silent thought.
Il will do it 1t will teach somebody
lessonl All, Mr. Leightonl" with start,
IDEALLY, you surprise me, but like pleas
alt surprises"
She had begun TO pace slowly down the
ltng veranda, usually deserted at that
h,ur for the cool beach, where the shining
waves rolled in an out And Just in the
middle of her angry reverie she had lifted
her ewes to see Gerald Leighton standing
near. His face flushed at the
swift. earnest glance Of her beautiful eyes.
He came swiftly to her side.
''Miss Langton, may 1 hope that my
presence is not altogether unwelcome ?"
be asked swiftly. "May hope Toto
that YOU will learn to care a little for me?"
he went on, confusedly. He had caught
glimpse of Hal Lyndon's tall, elegant fig
IRE coming rapidly toward the hotel, and
hlt reprehensible satisfaction in getting
shead of him-getting in his proposal
first.
Her face grew crimson, then pale; the
lo'ely eyes were downcast. Either she
was consummate hirt and actress, or she
wa really inclined to favor the handsome,
faIlhaired fellow who stood at her side,
gazing so earnestly into the bewitching
face
you bewilder me, Mr. Leighton p
she faltered; so unexpected, so-oh,
seeMr. Lyndon coming down the veranda,
and auntie is calling me l must go!"
EBut'-in an agony Of suspense and
dolbt-"you will answer me soon, Miss
vea2
Answer you ?" with an upward glance,
heieyes falling again upon his gaze.
sYes-ves; | mean that in my poor
wa am trying to tell you of my love
for you, and that 1 want you to be my
WHIP
Do you, indeed?' Then, Mr.. Leighton,
INST say that II
'geraf' A tall, elderly lady, in cream