The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-02-15

just one moro thing to bet the change
Of prices-that Is, myself. If the things
you have each said to me regarding your
love, ETC., are true, you will take the chance
I am about to offer you. II they are not
true l shall be fortunate in finding it out
early-before 1t is too late This Is the prop
osition: You will each invest $50, 0c0 on the
market at the opening figure this morning
One will buy the other will sell. When
the market closes you will settle with each
other according to the difference between
opening and closing prices. The man who
wins l will marry. Do you accept the
proposition?'
Il do" said the colonel, with firm voice.
He would have risked any chance on earth
to win Mrs. Billbank. He loved her with
the foolishness Of old age.
Yes" answered Willie. He loved her
with the foolishness Of youth.
Very good" answered Mrs. Billbank be-
ginning to flush with the excitement Of the
gambler. and feeling the nervous strain Of
one who is playing for big stakes VERY
good, have 10 pennies in my hand. and by
the way, you will remember that 1t Is the
18th OF the month; 1T is sure to be lucky
day for some one. l have Is pennies in my
hand. I will throw them on the table, and
Mr.. Wimpleford shall call heads or tails as
he chooses II he wins the call he shall
choose which end Of the market he will take
If he loses. the colonel has the choice" She
threw the pennies, and Willie called heads"
The count showed that eight pennies were
heads UP.
"Mr. Wimpleford has his choice" an
nounced Mrs. Bllbank.
II will buy said Willie promptly. That
settled the deal. The game was on, and all
that could be done was to wait the market
reports.
please smoke. gentlemen. have refresh
ments ordered. and they will be brought in
immediately As she spoke waiter en-
tered. bearing tray covered with glasses,
and bottles Of several varieties The colonel
poured out glass full Of liquor and drank
1t at a draught. Willie merely lighted
black cigar.
A servant entered the room in response to
a ring, and sat at a desk on which a tele-
phone was placed. The colonel took another
drink, and few seconds later the telephone
bell rang.
The market opens at 81 cents said the
man at the instrument a moment later.
Two cents lower than it closed Saturday"
exclaimed Mrs. Billbank.
"Eghty-four and three -eighths." said the
man at the telephone. Willie smiled slightly
and the colonel toyed with the bottle, and
bit savagely at his white moustache. Mrs.
Billbank merely tapped the floor with her
foot in a nervous manner She had resolved
to make no comments either way.
"Eighty-fve cents" Willie actually
smiled The colonel poured out another
glass.
Suppose we play a game Of casino. to kill
time" sold Mrs. Billbank.
The two men assented, and all three sat
down at the card table. The market went
up steadily but slowly until II o'clock. Tho
colonel was very nervous and looked almost
desperate. He paid little attention to his
cards. Willie played an excellent game At
II O'clock the man At the telephone suddenly
looked startled as he listened TO a report.
The three interested parties saw his express
sion and leaped to their feet
''Wfat IL It, Adolphf' cried Mrs Billbank.
Letter has failed" was the reply.
"Great heavens!" exclaimed Willie. The
colonel smiled.
Eighty cents" said Adolph.
''Whoopr' cried the colonel. ana he amp