The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-08-21
WHICH TOOK HIM?
Husband or SOn-in-Lew, the
Widow Must Have Her Piquet-

Mrs. Vincent, widowed and wealthy,
looked naughty and fierce.
1t was three 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 n pretty
complete rest for the ten years that the
late Vincent had been in his grave.
Mrs Vincent sat and glared
Her dark, prominent and wrathfully-
astonishcd eyes had for their target d
young man, in whose bearing appeared
singular mixture of Difference and de-
fiance.
He, on his part, saw before him a
lady under fifty, but not far. The lips
were yet full and red, and her figure,
though ample, still retained agreeable
lines. II her hair was white. the black
eyebrows held their color and empha-
sized the mir of command to which the
Roman contour of the nose most con-
tributed
'WeH, I never!" she cried, slapping
down pack Of cards on the table.
The man smiled slightly.
A young man, with curly brown
hair, cheerful. blue eyes, up-twisted
mustache and n firm china fresh,
alert, compact, healthy young man,
whose loose, elegant costume proved
that he understood how 10 achieve that
careless grace which so charms women.
An intelligent young man with cynical
confidence in his smile.
lie stood unfrightened, just the sort
of young man who should not be what
he was-secrctary to n mature Cali
fornia street widow of spotless reputa-
tion and large means
well, neverr' the lady exclaimed.
The young man spoke resolutely:
mo, Mrs Vincent; I shall play
piquet with you no more. Piquet is =
good enough game, and am not averse
to it in reason But object to piquet
in the forenoon, in the afternoon, and
in the evening, six days in the week.
l confess I'm tired of piquet"
In that case, and because of your in
science" said Mrs. Vincent, with cold
deliberation, you may consider your
self discharged, Mr.. Middles"
Very well, ma am" And he turned
toward the door.
Mr.. Middles,''
He halted, his hand on the portiere,
and faced about.
She placed her glasses on her modi-
fled Roman nose, viewed him steadily,
and, toying with the cards, inquired:
''Would an increase of salary be any
inducements sir?"
NO
Then gor'
He bowed and disappeared
He hand sought the bell. Jeames, In
livery, both imported from London, re-
sponded.
''IIoggins, Mr.. Middles is in the hall
Say to him that wish to see him"
The secretary returned, overcoat on
arm, hat in hand
Mrs. Vincent threw herself back in
her chair, and. clasping her plump,
white hands above her head, said, in
the conciliatory tone of the negotiator:
MIR Middles, let us not aot hastily.
I acknowledge that cannot well spare
you Next to myself you are the best
piquet-p layer this side of New York"
Il know it, Mrs Vincent Indeed,
play better than You"
"You do notr'
Il do"
His frozen calmn ess cowed her.
There was feeling in her words that
followed:
''You loved my husband, did you
not?"
81 did. He was a father to me. i
owe my education To him, and-and-"
''All that you are"
(Which is not much, Mrs. Vincent
HE was your benefactor, and you
loved him, yet you refuse SO little
thing as to play piquet with your bene
factors widow"
~ do. Gratitude has its limits"
Evidently. You will not humor an
old woman's weakness aud tighten the
burden of her loneliness?'
Il will not. Besides, it is no. q weak
ness, but a disease, this insanity for
piquet. Moreover, you are not old. On
the contrary, Mrs. Vincent, you are
still a charming woman, and by with
drawing yourself from the world, and
giving yourself over TO cards, rou
wrong yourself Worse than that, you
fail in your duty to your daughter, who
has the life of nun"
THAT is nothing to you, sir!''
True"
Again he moved toward the door.
''Will nothing" asked the lady, in
alarm, induce you to sit down to a
game with me-just one?"
Nothing that you would give, Mrs.
Vincent"
''Poohl You know very well that
III give anything you ask. i can't do
without you. What is it you want?"
Yourself"
'Eh? You mean -
That neither as secretary, protege,
nor friend shall play piquet with you
again. AS your husband, | will"
''God bless my soul!'
To no woman unburied can an offer
be either long surnriSinr or disarreea-