The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-07-02
WHICH TOOK HIM?

Mrs Vincent, widowed and wealthy,
looked hsughty and fierce.
Il was Q O'Clock in the afternoon, and
the sun took the liberty TO intrude
through the window into the library,
furnished in purple leather and walled
with books, which had had pretty COM
plete rest for the ten years that the late
| Vincent had been In his grave.
Mrs. Vincent sat and glared.
Her dark, prominent and wrathfully
astonished eyes had for their target Q
young msn, in whose bearing appeared
Q singular mixture Of Difference and de-
6ance.
He, on his part. saw before him q lady
under fifty, but not far. The lips were
yet full and red, and her figure, though
ample. still retained agreeable lines. IL
her hair was white. the black eyebrows
held their color and emphasized the air
Of command TO which the Roman con-
tour of the nose most contributed.
well. I never!' she cried, slapping
down o pack Of cards on the table.
The man smiled slightly.
A young man, with curly brown hair,
cheerful blue eyes. uptwisted mustache
and firm china fresh, alert. compact,
healthy young man, whose loose, elegant
costume proved that he understood how
TO achieve that careless grace which so
charms women. An intelligent young
man. with cynical confidence in his smile.
He stood unfrightened, just the sort Of
young man who should not be what he
was-secretary to a mature California
street widow Of spotless reputation and
large means.
"well, l neverI' the lady exclaimed.
The young man spoke resolutely:
mo, Mrs. Vincent; shall play piquet
with you no more. Piquet Is a good
enough game. and I am not ayerse to il,
In reason; but object TO piquet in the
forenoon, in the afternoon and in the
evening, six days in the week. confess
I'm tired Of piquet."
"In that case, and because Of your in
science" said Mrs. Vincent, with cold
deliberation, "you may consider yourself
discharged, Mr.. Middles."
every well, na'am." And he turned
toward the door.
'Mr. MiddlesT-
He halted, his hand on the portiere,
and faced about
She placed her glasses on her modified
Roman nose, viewed him steadily and,
toying with the cards, inquired:
would an increase Of salary be any
inducement, sirY"
mo"
"Then goT"
He bowed and disappeared.
Her hand sought the bell. Jeames, IN
livery, both imported frUm London, re-
spOnded.
"Hoggins, Mr.. Middles Is In the hall
Say to him that wish to see him"
The secretary returned. Overcoat on
arm, hat in hand.
Ms. Vincent threw herself back in her
chair and, clasping her plump, white
hands above her head, said in the con-
ciliatory tone Of the negotiator:
"Mr. Middles, let us not act hastily.
acknowledge that cannot well spare
you. Next to myself you are the best
piquet player this side Of New York"
81 know 1t, Mrs. Vincent Indeed l
play better than you"
"You do notr'
81 do"
His frozen calmness cowed her.
There was feeling in her words that
followed:
"YOu loved my husband, did you
noty'
81 did. He was father to me. owe
my education to him, and-and--
IAN that you are"
(which Is not much, Mrs. Vincent"
HE was your benefactor and you
loved him, yet you refuse 30 little
thing as to play piquet with your bene-
factors widow"
81 do. Gratitude has its limits"
Evidently. You will not humor an
old womanis weakness and tighten the
burden Of her lOneHnessy'
II will not Besides Il is not a weak /
mess, but q disease, this insanity for
piquet Moreover, you are not old. On
the contrary, Mrs. Vincent, you are still |
charming woman, and by withdraw
ing yourself from the world and giving
yourself over to cards you wrong YOUR
self. Worse than that, you fail in your
duty to your daughter, who has the life |
OF q nun"
That is nothing to you. SIR
True"
Again he moved toward the door.
"Win nothing" asked the lady in |
alarm, 'induce you 10 sit down to game
with me-just oney"
Nothing that yOu would give. Mrs.
Vincent
"Poohl You know very well that Ill |
give anything you ask, can't do with
out You. What is it you WANT
yourself"
"Eh? You mean
That neither a. secretary, protege,
nor friend shall / play piquet with you |
again. As yUur husband will
''GOd bless my soull''
To no woman unburied can an offer |
be either long surprising or disagree
able. Il was with warmed cheeks and /
softeued eyes that the widow said:
do understand that-that you
you love me, Ernsty-
Mr.. Middles bowed. but averted his
glance.
She sighed and murmured:
an M It'll
Precisely. Mrs Vincent You are
ich, you love TO play piquet, and . am
the best player on the Pacific coast II
you viii marry me, will play; II not,
not"
"weIlY
Under the circumstances, do not
see that more can nationally be said"
''Cut the cards"
Eighteen. golden haired, slim, supple.
adorable Adele Vincent flashed her
scornful eyes On the visage Of Mr.. Mid
dies, who, undisturbed, sat al ease In the
conservatory.
Mrs. Vincent played solitaire in the
adjoining library. awaiting her afianced
and piquet
"why, mamma Il old enough 10 Be
your mother, Ernst Middles."
81 know t."
"Your motive in making this mon
struus engagement must be purely mer-
cenary.-
STRICTLY"
"And you feel no shame in making
a a