The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-05-03
THE WAGER.

$50 he has actually laid wager tina
he will marry me before we start fo
Saratoga. One, two, nearly thre,
months said Mrs. Dayton. leaning
back and laughing merrily. "Ah, mi
he has mistaken me, have had enough
of matrimony. and my present life O
freedom suits me.''
II admire the mans impudence,
said her company, Mrs. Grantley Har
rington. HE has never even seen yol
yet, has hep"
':No. Tell me exactly how it hap
pened."
Certainly! Grantley invited hi.
cousin, Harry Vaughn, Mr.. George
Coates, and this irresistible Horace
Cook to dine with him yesterday
After presiding at dinner l, of course
Left the table after dessert; about ar
hour later was passing through the
hall, when 1 heard Mr.. Cooke say:
$50 this charming widow, Mrs.
Dayton, has vowed never to marry
again. want a wife, and from your
description l think she would suit me.
What will you bet l make her break
her vow?'
"'A thousand dollars, said Harry.
".Doner said Mr.. Cooke. When
our party starts for Saratoga in May the
charming widow will join the party as
Mrs. Horace Cooke"
II went upstairs, but I determined
to put you on your guard, for tonight,
at our house you will meet him."
Never fear for me. I'll have him
at my feet in a week." and again the
silvery laugh rung through the parlor.
Mrs. Harrington and Horace Cooke
were standing a few hours later in the
formers brilliantly lighted parlors.
There were beautiful women and hand
some men all around them, but the
star of the evening was not there. It
was fancy party, and Mrs. Harring-
ton, lovely little blonde, in piquant
flower girls dress, made quite charm
ing contrast to the tall brigand beside
her, whose fine figure and dark, hand
some face suited well his dress.
MAY tell your fortune?" said a
sweet low voice beside the couple, and
they turned. One quick glance passed
OotNCCu IuC opCuhCA tluu AA D. AAdAAlu
ton, and then the hostess passed on to
receive other guests.
Stay, lady, let me tell your fortunep"
said the gypsy.
''No, tell my friends. Mr.. Cooke, l
beg your pardon, Conrad, you will
listen," and she moved away. Mr..
Cookies eyes were riveted upon his
and he mechanically offered
his hand for her perusal.
She was startling, beautiful figure.
Her scarlet skirt, short and full, was
in gold with strange
figures and the tiny foot it left exposed
was cased in scarlet boot embroidered
in the same 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, to make
q full bow at the left side. A turban
Of white was on the hair, which fell be-
meath it in rich black masses almost to
the wearer's feet. A graceful figure,
medium height, large, black eyes, a
rich, clear complexion, with a clear
color, completed the picture.
Your fortune" She said, as she
dreamily scanned the palm of his hand,
''to WOO where you can-"
Two walters whirled in between the
couple, and when Mr.. Cooke again
looked the gypsy was gone. 1t was
long time before he saw her again; but
at last he found her. She was stand
ng alone near table, lazily turning
he leaves of an annual. 1t was in
title sitting-room leading from the
)arlor, and she was it's sole occupant. 1
"Will you not finish telling my for
une?" said he coming in. She started. |
''Oh," she said 81 dare not My spell !
vas so violently broken am afraid to
'enew it."
Afraid! 1 read your face wrongly.
should have said the spirit shining
through your eyes scorned fear"
$50, while / studied your hand, you |
peculated about my face?"
Gould any one let such face pass
i'm and not try to read it?''
A low, mocking courtesy was the an
wer to the compliment. The stood an
our in the little room, and, when
1orace at length offered his arm to
se0rt the charming gypsy to the par
ould have been doubled or multiplied
Indefinitely.
Mrs. Harrington" said Mr.. Cooke,
leeting the hostess in the room, "when
) the irresistible Mrs. Dayton expected
D honor us?"
Why" said Mrs. Harrington, ''you
ave the irresistible Mrs. DAYTON
angling on your arm. Has nobody IN
you yet" Let me do it. Mrs.
Dayton, this is Mr.. Cooke, Mr.. Cooke,
lrs. Dayton. Now hope you know
ach other"
"Mrs. Dayton's eyes were fixed upon
ne carpet, but there was a world of
lischief lurking in them, if her partner
ould have seen it.
49," she said, at length, Il have, it
GEMS, the enviable reputation of being
'resistiblep"
"a reputation as we'll deserved as
,arcely to merit repetition, was the
sply.
A number of other gentlemen were
Y this time collected around Mrs.
ayton. Her skill as fortune-teller
as now again called into requisition.
nd many hearty laugh rung through
le circle at the witty turns she gave
each ones cherished Irritation, or,
ley thought, silent admiration.
MAY see you homer" said Horace.
J the rooms began to thin,
"Sorry, but l am already engaged"
MAY call tomorrow
"Ahr' thought the widow, as she
I'VE permission, she intends to COM
ence his siege in good time"