The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-02-03
A GAME OF CHANCE.

apr stiy, isn't she?" said Tom Vim
cent, 81 be rode along by his half
brofhsr's side across the undulatiDg
weld, asd Ralph nodded, although no
name lad been mentioned.
There was no need of name, when
their ,Is. Vi feminine eacquaintanoes was
80 s,rio,iy limited. One might have
searched within radius of twenty
mics round the spot, near their home,
where they were without finding more
than three European ladies, and of
these, Mrs. Marsden, at whose hospit-
able farm they had just been visiting,
was decidedly homely, and her little
girl took after her.
Mr.. Marsden's niece, Viola Gray,
however. was of a different type al
together, and as Ralph thought of her
delicately-colored oval face, with its
frame of gold red hair, and its soft,
dreamy eyes, he felt that to speak of
Miss Gray as "pretty" was to do her
an injustice.
Beautiful, rather" he said, quietly,
and flushed little.
Tom was the first to speak again.
'If / had known that Viola-that
Miss Gray was coming 10 the Marsden's,
/ should not have suggested sending for
Floss to come and look after us.n
"Why?"
"Well, sister is rather in the way
when she marries," said Tom, slowly.
"You know what the proverb says
about two women in one house."
1--WE have not got one woman in the
house at present." said Ralph, and his
half brother smiled with easy self-con-
fidence.
'No; but it won't be my fault if we
don't have one soon, whether Floss de-
cides to come or not. Directly l saw
Viola, last week, said to myself, there
is the wife for me.
"You have said that to yourself be-
fore, haven't your asked Ralph, and
Tom smiled good-naturedly.
"Lots of times, but this time ii is Sc
rious, and there is nothing in the way.
We can either of us afford to marry"
"And Miss Gray is willing?" asked
Ralph, clearing his throat.
'I haven't asked her yet, but she
seems to like me; and out here, of
course have not much fear ofa rival"
mop
There was something in the tone of
the short monosyllable which made his
brother turn sharply.
"Well, what rival is there?"
Ralph's face had grown shade paler
than usual; his lips were tightly COM
pressed.
"Wby don't you tell nie?n asked
Tom.
81 suppose it would he more fair and
square If | did, said Ralph slowly
ard thoughtfully. Il an sorry, old
man. bGc you have one rivaln
''Who?r
Can't you guess"
II az, ..aeed Il I can. You don't
mean that head man OF Narsden's,
Ciayfon?'
"Of course not. But is there any
particular reason why L should not
think OF marrying"
Tom pulled up lis horse to stare al
him in unfeigned astonishment
"You-t think OF marrying = Viola
Grayr'
"Why not?"
There was something in Ralph's voice
again which surprised his brother, and |
made him sti1e the inclination he had
ielt 10 laugh.
81 do not know why should be sur
prised," he said seriously, "but some |
how ] never thought ofyour marrying.
We always looked upon you as con-
firmed bachelor"
Because never met the right wo-
man."
"And you have met her in Viola
Gray"
''This is awkward" he said. "You
can not expect me to give up my claim
to herr"
"You have no more claim than /.
She likes ME at least rs much as you"
"That is q matter of opinion" said
Tom. 81 am going to ask her to be
my wife tomorrow"
$50 am l." said Ralph, and his
brother laughed unpleasantly again.
The unanticipated rivalry made Tom
feel more determined than ever to Sc
cure Viola for himself.
His face and voice began to betray
some little anxiety.
'Do you think Viola is in love with
your he asked, trying to cover the
anxiety with sneer, and Ralph's
voice came as pleasing contrast with
its quiet earnestness, "a he answered.:
81 do not think that she is in love
W itAi NlAhci vi tsr attiotSh ShC Nci boih-
ly likes US both.n
"Then the one who speaks first will
have the pull" said Tom, quickly, and
was sorry the next moment that he had
not acted on the idea instead of putting
the enemy ON his guard by mentioning
il.
Ralph did not answer. He was real
izing how true the words were likely to
be, and that the chances Of a word
from his brother might lose for him
the woman who seemed to him the one
for whom he had always waited and
look forward.
They had reached the farm and a
KafIir servant was coming out 70 take
tlCir horses.
"0mwayho seems To have a letter.
said Tom, VINO had caught sight of h 4