Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-01-15
From the National Magazine.
THE WAGER.

THE WAGER.
$50 he actually laid wager that he
will marry me before we start for Sara
toga. One, two, nearly three months, !"
said Mrs Dayto leaning back on the
sofa and laughing merrily. "Ah, me
be has mistaken me. l have had
enough of matrimony, and my present
life of freedom suits me.
81 admire the mans impudence,"
said her companion, Mrs. Grantlv Har-
rington. "He has never seen you yet,
has he?'
"No. Tell me exactly how it hap
pened."
Certainly! GRAVITY invited his
cousin, Harry Vaughn, George Coates
and this irresistible Horace Cooke to
dine with him yesterday. After pre-
siding at dinner /, of course, left the
table after dessert; about an hour later
I was passing through the hall, when |
heard Mr.. Cooke say:
g $50 this charming widow, Mrs. Day
ton, has vowed never TO marry again.
/ want wife, and from your descrip-
ion think she would suit me. What
will YOU bet I make her break her
vow p
GA thousand dollars said Harry.
"sDone.!' said Mr.. Cooke. when
our party starts fer Saratoga in May the
charming widow will join the party as
Mrs. Horace Cooke
81 went upstairs, but | 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 nv feet within a week." and again
the silvery laugh rang through the par
lor.
Mrs. Harrington and Horace Cooke
were standing Jew 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. 1t was a
fancy party, and Mrs. Harrington, a
lovely little blonde, in 6 piquant flower
girls dress, made quite charming con-
trast to the tall brigand beside her,
whose fine figure and dark, handsome
face suited well his dress.
MAY I tell your iortune?' said a
sweet, low voice beside the couple. and
thew turned. One quick glance passed
between the speaker and 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, I
beg your pardon, Conrad, you will lis
ten" and she moved away. MIR. Cookies
eyes were rlveted upon his companion,
and he mechanically offered his hand
for her perusal.
She was Startling, beautiful figure.
Her scarlet skirt, short and full, was
embroidered with gold with strange
figures, and the tiny foot it left ex-
posed was cased in scarlet embroid-
cred 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 a full bow
at the lett side. A turban of white was
on the hair, which fell beneath it in
rich black masses almost to the wear
er's feet. A graceful figure, medium
height, large black eyes, rich, clear
complexion, with a clear color, COM
pieted the picture.
"Your fortune" she said, as she
dreamily scanned the palm of his hand,
t'to WOO where you can"
Two walters whirled in between
the couple, and when Mr.. Cooke again
looked the gypsy was gone. 1t was a
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 lit lie sit
ting-room leading from the parIor, and
she was its sole occupant.
"Will YOU not finish telling my for
tune ?'' said he. coming In. She start
ed.
'tOh,'' she said, 81 dare not Ny
spell was so violently broken [ am
afraid to renew it.
afraid I read your face wrongly,
I should have said the spirit shining
through your eyes scorned fear"
$50. while [ studied your hand, you
specuiated about my face.?"
Gould anyone let such a face pass
him and not try to read it ?"
A low, mocking courtesy was the an
swer 10 the compliment. They stood
an hour in the little room, and, when
Horace at length offered his arm to es-
cort the charming gypsy to the parior,
he wished devoutly that the hour could
have been doubled or multiplied in
definitely.
"Mrs. Harrington" said Mr.. Cooke,
meeting the hostess in the room, when
Is the irresistible Mrs. Dayton expected
to honor us
"Why," said Mrs. Harrington, ssyou
have the irresistible Mrs. Dayton hang
ing on your arm. Has nobody intro
duced you yet? Let me do it. Mrs.
Dayton. this is Mr.. Cooke, Mr.. Cooke,
Mrs. Dayton. Now | hope you know
each other"
Mrs. Dayton's eyes were fixed on the
carpet, but there was a world of mis-
chief lurking in them, if her partner
could only have seen it.
49," she said at length, ST have, ii
seems, the enyiable reputation of being
irresistible ?''
"a reputation so well deserved as
scarcely to deserve repetition" was. the
reply.
A number of other gentlemen were
by this time collected around Mrs.
Dayton. Her skill as fortune teller
was now again called into requisition,