The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-08-13
THE WAGER.

So he has actually laid a wager tina
he viii marry me before we start for Sar
atoga. One, two, nearly three months,
said Mrs. Dayton, leaning back anC
laughing merrily. All, me, he has mis-
taken me l have had enough Of matri
mony, and ny present life of freedom
suits me-"
al admire the mans impudence," said
her companion, Mrs Grantly Harrington
He has never even as much as seen you
has ne ?"
@No. Tell me exactly how it hap
pened ?"
Certainly Grantly invited his eous-
in, Harry Vaughn, George Coates, and
this irresistible Horace Cook to dine with
him yesterday. After presiding at dinner
], of course, left the table after desert
about an hour later was passing through
the hall, when | heard Mr.. Cooke re-
mark:
SO 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 win
you bet that don't make her break her
vow ?'
q A thousand dollars said Harry.
Done ~ said Mr.. Cooke. When our
party starts for Saratoga in May, the
charming widow viii join US as Mrs. Hor-
ace Cooke"
81 went up stairs, but determined to
put youpn your guard, for tonight, at
our house, you will meet him.
@Neyer fear for me. I'll have him at
my feet in a week, and again the silvery
laugh rang through the parlor.
Mrs. Harrington and Mrs. Cooke were
standing few hours later in the for
mer's brilliantly lighted parlors. There
were beautiful women and handsome
men all around them, but the star of the
evening was not there. 1t was a fancy
party, and Mrs. Harrington, q lovely lit
tie blonde, in a piquant flower girls
dress, made quite charming contrast to
the tall brigand beside her, whose fine
figure and dark, handsome face, suited
well his dress.
May | tell your fortune ?'' said a
sweet, low voice beside the couple, and
they turned. One quick glance passed
between the speaker and Mrs. Harring-
ton, and then the hostess passed on to re-
ceive other guests.
Stay, lady, let me tell your fortune
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 companion, and he
mechanically offered his hand for her
perusal.
She was a startling, beautiful figure.
Her scarlet skirt, short and full,.wa en-
broidered in gold with strange figures,
and the tiny foot it left exposed was cas-
ed in a scarlet boot embroidered in the
same way. The body Of the dress was of
white muslin, made full, but cut 50 as..to
leave the neck and arms bare. A brilliant
scarf was bound from the right shoulder
to make a full bow at the left side. a
turban of white was on the hair
which fell beneath it it in rich, black
masses, almost to the wearer's feet. \
graceful figure, medium height, large,
black ewes, a rich, clear complexion with
a bright color, completed the picture
Your fortune" she said, as she drea-
mily scanned the palm of his hand, TO
WOO where you can"
Two walters whirled in between the
couple, and when Mr.. Cooke again look
ed the gypsy was gone. 1t was long
time before he saw her again ; but at
last he found her. She was standing
alone near a table, lazily turning the
leaves of an annual. 1t was in a little
sitting-room leading from the parlor, and
she was its sole occupant,
VIII you not finish telling my for
tune ?" said he, coming in.
aOh,p she said, dare not My spell
was 50 violently broken I am afraid to
renew it."
"Afraid l read your face wrongly. l
should have said the spirit shining
through your eyes scorned feai."
$50, while studied your hand, you
speculated about my face p
Could any one let such a face pass
him, and not try to read it 2"
A low, mocking courtesy was the an
swer to the compliment They stood an
hour in the little room, and when Hor-
ace at length offered his arm to escort the
charming gypsy 70 the Parior, he wished
deyoutly that the hour could have been
doubled or multiplied indefinitely.
Mrs. Harrington" said Mr.. Cooke,
meeting the hostess in the room, when
Is the irresistible Mrs Dayton expected
TO honor us :"
awhy," said Mrs. Harrington, " you
have the irresistible Mrs Dayton on your
arm. Has nobody introduced you yet 7
= A.. T.~tor rhSz IL Mr.