Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1892-03-05
A QUAKER LADY.
A sTORY OF TO-DAY

tonight, Mrs. Morris" said Mr.. Standish
as he dealt the cards. HE saws ne shall
play for my return with him ON his
homeward trip next week; il he wins.
am to go; il he loses, l shall stay over
here a while longer. Therefore. Miss
Flower, if you desire my presence longer
on your shores, help me to win"
That is leaving the matter to chance.
not fate, Mr.. Standish," rejoined Mrs.
Morris, sorting her cards slowly.
Wherein do they differ? IL it is nv
fate TO remain, chance will favor me.
Mrs. Morris. Lead, if you please, Miss
Flower"
Phebe led the nine of hearts, and her
partner took the trick with his king.
at begins well for you; the king has
his wish-the nine of hearts is the wish
card according to gypsy belief, " laughed
Mrs. Morris.
"All's well that ends well" returned
Captain Bruce, trumping Mr.. Standish's
ace.
He laughs best who laughs last -
retorted Mr.. Standish. gathering in the
''odd" at the end of the first game, and
winning by a point.
ga bad beginning makes a good end.
ing Wait and see what the rubber de-
cides. my dear fellow" said the captain,
coming off victor next time.
And you know, Mr.. Standish, ever if
we do lose, there is still comfort in the
old saying. 'unlucky at cards, lucky in
love-" said Phebe, as the game grew
more desperate for her and her partner.
Mrs. Morris glanced mp quickly oveI
her glasses at this speech. Was the cir
artful or innocent? Was she mistaken
in this apparently naive Quaker lady
and were there no supplemented girls
any more?
But Phebe's face and manner were per,
fectly unconscious of any traces of co
quetry; she was really as innocent as an
infant of any arts. She had merely added
her mite 10 the round Of adages that had
been quoted.
Mr.. Standish had looked up quickly
from his hand, also. He seemed to bt
studying the pale face. and dark, down
dropped lashes opposite him, more in
tently than his cards.
Your kind words" he said, ARE q
comfort to me, Miss Flower. | am hall
tempted 10 play TO lose in order TO prove
the adage."
Here, no nonsense, Standish. it's YOU
lead. WHIST And Captain Bruce look
Ell So serious and in earnest about it
there was no more bantering at that ta
bic.
The rest of the company were hilarious
enough TO make up for their quiet, how.
ever. There was, indeed, almost a dis
turbance among the progressive-euchre
players, concerning a tie. each side con
testing hotly for a different rule Of decis.
ion in regard to the matter; flashing eyes
heightened color, and warm debate bring,
ing out prominently the latent spirit OF
gambling which seems to lie perdu in
some feminine natures.
AT the poker-table there appeared to
be less argument; but a deeper. keenei
spirit of gambling betrayed itself in the
adroit "blufiing," and seheming ''blind.
"No;" thought Phebe. as she caught
sight Of II or two set faces, anC heard
the animated betting, mo; Mrs. Morris i:
right; no lady ought to play poker; it Ii
not a womanly game"
After "A couple of hours amusement
Mrs. hurry tapped upon her little bell
declaring that portion of the evening,
entertainment at an end, as a ''seconc
course" awaited Their pleasure in the adj
joining room.
Prizes were then distributed among the
successful ones at each table, and the com
pany rose to follow Mrs. Murry's lead.
WHO won the prize herey' asked Miss
Van Worst, stopping at the whist-table
1t was hardly fair or kind To ask. see
ing the captains scowling brow. He haC
an Englishman's dislike to losing tn,
S.andish had all the iucK tonight,
Miss Van Worst. Miss Flower is a mas
cot, she was his partner and swept the
board" replied the captain. Then, turn
ing to Phebe, he added, Miss Flower,
the stakes are yodrs; | leave him in your
hands. Standish, my dear fellow, you
are to Tsmain.'
''Oh! So Miss Flower won the prize
/ expected 10 heal it was you, Mrs. Nor
ris, as the married ladies appear TO out
shine the girls, this evening" Miss Van
Voorst's tone was tinged with bitterness.
The new young gentleman, Mr.. Archi'
bault. had been n%oticeably devoted and
attentive all the evening to Mrs. Burton,
much TO the chagrin and indignation OF
the coterie of pretty girls, who had vain
ly ~endeayored to charm him with theiI
smiles.
The doors of the communicating Don
were thrown open now n an elegant
collation. served from the beautifully
decorated table. The much-praised new
importation of champagne was introduced
and under its sparkling influence the
spirits of the imbibers rose high.
Mrs. Burton, whose husband had not
arrived that evening, vas exuberant IL
her wild abandon; and being called upor
for an imitation of Aimee" gave the
drinking song from LA PerichOie,' il
French, kicking off her little pink satin
slipper at its close, with decidedly operC
boufe effect. Rapturous applause fol
lowed this, and Mr.. Archibault, who
stood beside her, stopped quickly, picked
the slipper from the floor, and was abou'
TO fill il from the champagne bottle in hi
hand and drink, as he too sang, when the
action seemed TO serve as an instantane
Gus soberer to the gay woman's wild i'm
prudence. In q moment she had recov
cred her dignity. and drawing her little
figure up to its fullest height, she said:
"Hand me my slipper instantly, Mr.
Archibault."
The Young man looked crest-fallen am
ashamed, and obeyod her.
Good evening, SIR and she turneS
her shoulders ON him, and walked owe
toward DIR. hurry, who had witnessed
the unfortunate occurrence with annoy
ance and displeasure.
Mrs Burton, l regret exceedingly
he began apologetically.
II. was all my OWL fault!' she inter
rupted hurriedly. in low tones. II an
ashamed of myself! / shall never drinl
another drop of champagne rs long as
live; but l never want to see that youn,
man again. l hate and detest him! lie
me leave the room q~uietly-"-and. Docto
please don't let Harry know"
The Doctor offered her his arm, III
Mrs. Burton bowed goodnight to tn
rest. and retired.
There was q momentary lull following
this tremor of social earthquake. Tn
ladies all looked Mt one another, ill a
ease; there was nothing they could say
and the men, although severely condemn
ing the young mans temerity. vainl,
essayed to cover his confusion, feeling
perhaps, a mans common pity for tn
kindred Adam, whom 'the woman tempt
ed"
Shortly after, the rest of tfa guest
took their leave, conveniently thankin
DIR. and Mrs. hurry for a ''delightfu
evening"" but in a far less boisterou
.u~ sLao q ,,s,al nj tho hreaEinv n,