Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-02-21

Tue NiiFIllOIlc anu dftiStlc entertain.
ment furnished by the crowded stage.
He almost determined to make the ac.
quaintance of the prima donna. whose
figure pleased his jaded eye.
AS they sat silently overlooking the
audience at the end of the first act. a
conversation going on in the next box
attracted Vane's attention.
II tell you l knowall about it," said a
deep, firm voice. ''They have not lost Il
cent. It's all a bluff. My mother knows
their aunt very we'll. and l have learn
ed the details of the whole scheme.
The girls got tired of being proposed to
by Tom. Dick and Harry and decided
to test the sincerity of their suitors.
See|'
"Zat is a ware pretty plot" comment
ed "A voice which sounded to Vane like
Count Kovinsky.
YES" continued the other, land i,
has worked to perfection. for nobody
has been near the girls for several
days. Now. they have sworn to ac-
cept the first men who propose to them
in their alleged poverty. l tell you this
out OF pure friendship. You can have
n Of them: I'll take the other. l
don't care which Of them YOU choose.
They are worth about one million
apiece and are equally good looking.
I'd advise you to go to them early to.
morrow. Our disinterested loyalty
to them In their hour of affiiction will
be fully rewarded. Comprenez:"
Fully. re outlook ees delightful.
will take zee fair Vera, who refused
me zee ozzer night. Ees a satisfac-
toire to YOU. Monsieur Weldon?"
Perfectly"
Here the orchestra drowned the con-
%versation and Vane settled back in
his chair with a sarcastic smile on his
handsome face. During the mex half
hour he related the scheme he had
overheard to Ashton.
What shall we do about it," asked
Vane.
$50 to them at once and renew our
| suit
Agreed"
They hurried from the house, en-
tered a cab and reached the Marsden
mansion in a few moments. .'The
ladies are out. Your cards, please"
The young men rushed down the
steps without handing their cards to
the servant. They were perplexed and
annoyed. They knew that Weldon
and kovinsky were among the most
INSCRIPTIONS men in the city and
would take the very earliest advan-
tage on the morrow Of the knowledge
they possessed.
THE situation is just this" said
Vane as they re-entered their cab.
IF all four Of us 60 to the MarsGen's
tomorrow they will suspect that their.
scheme has leaked out. -Four of us
are in possession of the secret. To
make 1t available only two can make
use OF 1t. Suppose We run an equal
chance In the matter and place the is
sue on cards or dice. Wen join Wei
don and Kovinsky; tell them we know
about their plot, and offer them IL fair
shake for the stakes. What say your
II see nothing else to do answered
Ashton after a short pause. $50 back
to the Casino, driver"
They found Weldon and Kovinsky
smoking cigarettes in the foyer.
"A word with you. Weldon" said
Nane. Ashton engaged the Count in
conversation.
Look here. Weldon. The Marsden
girls have not lost their money"
NO" Weldon. a middle-aged man
with gray hair and black mustache.
knocked the ashes off his cigarette
calmly. He had lost color for an In.
slant, however.
mo. They simply wish to pick the
sheep from the goats. l see you are
not surprised. Now there are only
four men in the world who know this
Ashton, Kovinsky, yourself and my
self"
Indeed? And what are you driving
at, Vane?"
"Just this. Two Of US, unembarrassed
by rivals would be certain Of winning
the heiresses. There would be no
chance for any of the four If we
all sailed in. Now. Ashton and l pro-
pose that we toss up for the chance.
! See: It's the fairest way, and the
two who lose can comfort themselves
with the thought that they had JUS
tice If not luck
WeldOn's brow was black with dis
content, but he was wise enough to
: see that a show OF anger would do him
no good. He had been caught in a trap
and was obliged to accept Vane's
terms.
very WELL" he replied, 'let it be as
you suggest, Kovinsky."
He explained the situation to his
fellow conspirator. whose sharp sal
low face took on m expression of dis
gust as he heard how his certainty Of
winning n wealthy had been
changed to a possibility.
"Where shall we go?" asked Weldon
as the quartette %sauntered forth.
Come to my rooms" suggested
kovinsky. II have zee dice"
The Count lived ut a hotel in the
neighborhood. and they we're soon
seated at a table in his parlor. A
| quart Of champagne vas at once or
dered to be paid for by the winners in
the approaching throw for life part.