The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1890-01-01
TOURNAMENT OF LOVE.
How Gladys the Fair Betrayed the Cor
fidence of Two Admirers.

1OOHNRmENl Of LIVE.
How Gladys the Fair Betrayed the Con-
fdence 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 Ian
guished. A pail of gloom had settled
down upon the stately parlor, crowded
with luxurious furniture and rare brio
a-brac. At last Gladys spoke, with
iIesolution in her silvery tongue.
.9ntlemen," she said; ''this thing
mas gone far enough. Business, it is
generally conceded, is Business. Am I
in error in assuming that each of you
has called here tonight with special
object in view, and am the special OBJ
ject.
Miss Observation-Disclosures" began
both the young men at once.
THAT will do!' interrupted the fair
girl; ''that is the usual formula. Let us
waste no time. If you have any propo-
sitions to make and specifications to
submit, you might just as well do it
while the furnace fire holds out to burn.
1t is as fair for one as for the other.
May suggest that the arbitrament of o
coin, heads or tails, might appropriately
decide who is to have the initial in
ning?'
"Willyou match me?" inquired George,
covering with his hand the quarter which
he had laid upon his knee.
81 will, now or any time" responded
Albert, tiercely, as he flattened his palm
over a half-dime with hole in it,
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. If | 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 I do!' cried the young man,
with vehemence. eff | were-why. if I
!, were William Bliven, that poor devil
E2u used to snub SO at the Springs, I
VI not be more at your mercy"
turn you, inquired the lovely GLADYS,
ySofhi award Albert, whose heels were
shs h8ously and rubbing all tho
tswhmv legs of the eception-chair;
Go. g. on to say?"
80 1eB he Dc5an, 81 can not daz-
lie you with visions of weaisihand SPLEEN
dor. am not rich"
"You are not" interrupted George;
''you and William Bliyen might just
pair up on wealth, and then you may be
you'd be able to buy one beer between
you"
Fl 81 may not be Mr.. Bliven's superior
& in worldly goods" rctorted Albert, flush
ing proudly; ''but certainly am in man
ners; and l wish could say that much
for y0u."
'Indeed?" returned the young pluto.
crat, superciliously: Il always supposed
that you and Bliven got your manners
together, in the same place that you got
your clothes. They always struck me
Is being res.iS,ymado."
"Iou appear to know more about Mr..
Blivcn than do" was Albert's icy re-
Spouse; your taste for low associates
was well known at the Springs, But,
as was saying, Gladys, while have
not material wealth, if the devotion OF
heart that is wholly yours"
Say no more, gentlemen" said Gla-
dys, rising and smiling sweetly. SIT is
but yesterday that Mr.. William Bliven
wrote me, asking me for my hand. 1
ad just written my acceptance of his
T. sal, when you arrived, and I
me bit it was only just to give you
sssA chance. You have had it. Here's
ssasSs.gSter. viii one of you gentlemen
kindness to mail it? If Mr..
by nine o'clock to-
ave reason to doubt
ave SO eloquently ex-
4! lSl!.< fair young gfA '"np'
leiY1y froin tti o room. the fre In the