Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1897-10-08
SHE PAID THE BET.

SHE PAID THE BET.
She left the oity on Feb. 3D. Her
friends all wondered at this sudden
move and into the country at this I'M
godly season. No one knew why, but
all had their theories.
She gave luncheon the day before
and received telegram at the table, no
the girls said, and as she opened 1t
very peculiar, half mirthful. half sad
expression came into her face.
"Well. girls, l am going away to-
night for three or four weeks.
"Why, for goodness sake, you're to
lead the german tonight at Kings"
mo. TonighC I'll be away from hero,
don't quite know where, but I'm 60
ing anyhow. Won't you have some more
Of this ice, Lucillep"
This was the source whence origi-
mated their numerous and varied CON
illusions. That night at the german II
was the theme of conversation. The
pretty girls were glad because young
Mrs. Page was popular; the stupid
ones were glad because 1t actually gave
them something to talk about, and be-
fore the festivities were over the ears
of the poor departed must have burned
like fire. In the meantime she tele-
phoned down to Jacks office: "Helloi
Is that you, Jack?"
Eyes, dear I"
"Well, you'll be surprised, but I'm
going away"
.ann....o vLo.oo,,
Down tho river somewhere, guess.
I'll take Marie. Why2 Oh, it's just n
whim, Jack, but l know you'll lot me
CO."
81 don't suppose it would make much
difference what 1 wanted.
Nov, Jack--well, the train leaves
at 1904. You needn't come up here. Be
down at the depot and have some money
for me. Goodby. See you later. Got to
get my things ready"
She didn't go to get her things ready,
but she told Marie to. She sat down in
big chair and thought 1t all over.
~ suppose they'll all think I'm
crazy, and what on earth shall / tell
Jackp Oh, I'll get to the station late;
then there won't be time to say any
thing. Great heavens. only year ago
and how different things werel That
whole day comes back to me now like
dream, and I'd actually almost forgot
about it. But somehow when l made
that bet felt as though would lose it,.
I'm married; 30 Two lost. Out my eye
brow off and send him the pictured
How sillyi But I'm game. I'll do it.
I M t1nIv without an
eyebrow 1 wonder where he Is now.
Poor boyi He really did love me and
r.
MADAME Ind better DO dressing.
The trunk is packed, and it is half
past -
"Have you ordered tho carringe?"
Its ready, madame. F"
Hello. Jackl Nearly missed it,
didn't II"
"For heavens sake, Edith, where are
you going?"
ooh, my, there goes the wbistlel III
write You all about it, Jack. Goodby.
BE good. +" And the astonished Jack
stood just where Edith left him till
the train was out Of sight.
marie, look in my coat pocket and
get me that telegram. Thanks. Let's
see. Why, he isn't In California at all
Chicagoi What OH earth ~ no doing
there do you supposep"
"Did madame speak?"
" No Go and read"
"After all, this il very foolish, but
it's sort Of fun TO be foolish, anyhow.
Poor jack really ought to love him
more; he ~ 40 good to me. Oh. pshawl
Why can't people have money and
brains and all things that / like com
bined? Now, Beardsley would have been
so nice II he hadn't been poor / nearly
thought he was nice, anyhow Who's
whistling that tuner / haven't heard IL
for--dear me, Pm getting sentimental
But here we arei
81 want hotel out of town where
can be very quiet. y
''Chntcau Rouge, ma'am, jist the
place. Only one man in the whole no
tel, an he don't bother no one. He goes
moonin round all day We're 'arf
afraid he a-gOin ter do suthin dosperit.
He"--
"Well, never mind. Get my bags. I'm
anxious to see the place.
"Is this it2 Oh, Marie, isn't it love
lyi We can be no nice and quiet here
No, | won't come down to dinner. You
needn't either, Marie. Both meals sent
up, please. Yes"
That night, after long and loving
tL.t o.. al 81. a,fy
Jack . razor, which she had deliberately
brought with her for the purpose, and,
with gasp Of resolution, it was off.
"Oh, you beauty, you fooll Suppose
1t doesn't grow again. Suppose 1t grows
white. But what's the good Of caring?
| I'm going TO bed. I'm dead. Then can
wake up in tho morning and worry all
over again"
Sha woke up, though, before the
morning-just In the middle Of the
quiet night.
whats THAR Who on earth can be
playing the banjo at this unearthly
hour? 1t must be the Tilted man, and
he's playing Answer He must be
right near here. Oh, heavens, l can't
stand that songi I've heard 1t too many
| times when I haven't been alone. and
minus an eyebrow besides. Playing the
banjo too. Isn't II stranger wonder
who he is? Marie, Marie. please go
knock at that mans door and ask II he
would mind not playing any more this
evening. I'm very tired and can't sleep.
What did he say?"
HE Just spoke through the door