Arizona republican., 1891-05-30
WHICH TOOK HIM?

Mrs. vincent, widowed and wealthy, looked naughty and fierce.
 It was 8 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 con- plete rest for the ten years that the late Vincent had been in his grave.
 Mrs. Vincent sat and glared. 70 Her dark, prominent and wrathfully astonished eyes had for their target a young man, in whose bearing appeared a singular mixture of deference and de- fauce.
 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. If her hGir was white, the black eyebrows held their color and emphasized the air of commanl to which the Roman con tour of the nose most contributed.
 "Well, 1 never" she cried, skipping down pack of cards on tho table.
 The Ian smiled slightly.
 A young man, with curly brown hair, cheerful blue eyes, uptwisted mustache and firm chiu-a fresh, alert, compact, healthy young man, whose loose, elegas:t 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-seCrctary to mature California street widow of spotless reputation and large means.
 "Well, l ncvcrI" the lady exclaimed.
 The young man spoke resolutely:
 "No. Mrs. Vincent; shall play piquet with you no more. Piquet is a good enough game, and am not averse to it, in reason; but l 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- solence," said Mrs. Vincent, with cold dehberation, ''you may consider yourself discharged, Mir. Middles.'
 "Very well, maam." And he turned toward the door.
 ''lIr Midllesr
 He halted, his hand on the portiere, and faced about
 She placed her glasses on her modified Roman nOsC, viewed him steadily and, toying with the cards, inquired:
 "Would an increase of salary be any inducement, sir:'
 ''No"
 "Then go.'
 IT. lOv-pl Cu6 1isonnaared
 Her hand sought the bell. Jeames, in livery. both imported from London, re- sponded.
 "Hoggins, MT Middles is in the hall. Say to him that l wish to see him."
 The secretary returned, overcoat on arm, hut in hand.
 Mrs Vincent threw herself back in her chair and, claspiag her plump, white hands above her head, said in the con- ciliatory tone of the negotiator:
 "lr. 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"
 II know it, Mrs. Vincent. Indeed l play better than you"
 "You do not"
 ''I do."
 His frozen calmness cowed her.
 There was feeling in her words that followed:
 "You lovel my husband, did you not?"
 Il 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 a thing as to play piQuet with your bene- factors widow"
 'I do. Gratitude has its limits"
 "Evldently. You will not humor an old woman's weakness and tighten the burden of her loneliness"
 II will not Besides it is not a weak ness, but Q disease, this insanity for piquct. Moreover, you are not old. On the contrary, Mrs. Vincent, you are still charming woman, and by withdraw ing yourself from tho 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 nun"
 That is nothing to you, sirr'
 "True."
 Again he moved toward the door.
 "Wnl nothing," asked the lady in alarm, 'induco you to sit down to game with me-just one"
 "Nothing that you would give, Mrs Vincent
 "Pooh! You know very well that I'll give anything you ask, can't do with out 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 l will" ''God bless my soul!" To no woman unburied can an offer be either long surprising or disagree. able. It was with warmed cheeks ana eofteucd eyes thnt the widow said: Do l understand that-that you you love me, Ernst" Mr. Middles bowed, but ayerted his glance.
 She sighed and murmured: ''Ah, am rich." Precisely, Mrs. Vincent. Ycu are