Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-01-23
Cradle or Grave.

s---~~-~<>--->-~~,--s>--
nRs. ARMsTRONG's modest HI
lM tie home was ablaze with light.
oo<AThe proud lady was giving d
small dance to celebrate her only son
homecoming from college; and ready
why, he was the happiest young lei.
low In the world And why notf HAD
he not just emerged from the uniyer-
sity with colors fiying, and was ne not
about to ask tire girl OF his heart TO
riadden bis nearthstone for lifef
His mother had said to him during
the day: Don't be too sanguine. Ted
dy, for Helen has been accepting Mt
tentions from Mr.. Hawtrey during the
last few months. and he Is rich and
world weary. and just the sort OF man
to fascinate a young girl fond OF fat
terry and position"
"Helen loves me, I'm sure" replied
confident Ted. land. besides. che would
not sell herself"
"Well, my dear. hope you are not
to be disappointed, but the ways OF
the girl-of-the-period are beyond me.
You remember Mabel CoulterT
"Oh, Mabel was fiirt," broke In
Ted, "and 1t was not to be expected
that she would marry the man she had
led on; but Helen-I only want her
word that she'll walt until I've made
my future sure. She's true blue!'
As for the young lady herself. che
felt sure that Teddy Armstrong would
propose that night; and, though she
confessed that her heart was In state
of commotion when she thought OF
him, still 1t would be awful nice to be
Mrs. Bruce Hawtrey and live In the big
mansion, have all sorts Of luxurles and
travel in Europe.
And Mr.. Hawtrey. He was Wild
over, old enough to be Helen's father,
and was voted to be something OF
cad. ''The little Vernon ally" ne had
remarked, has lots of 60, and young
wife would be a novel plaything, now
that my clubs and life in general are
getting to be something of BORE
The guests had all arrived, and ev-
erything was very jolly. Helen Yer
non. Mr.. Hawtrey and Ted were COW
ertly watched by ALL as gossip had 1t
that both men were dead set on win
ming the pretty belle Of M.
One rotund dowager leaned toward
her neighbor and remarked: TEDDY
is so young and Hawtrey so old that
IL seems a race between the cradle and
the grave" accompanying her words
with a mirthless laugh that made the
sentimental young matron she address
ed. and who hoped that young Arm
strong would be victor, nervous.
Hawtrey. who. to do him justice,
was not 30 near the grave as the old
gossip implied. took more of Helen's
dances than good form allows. and
also assumed an air of proprietorship
that made the younger man Wild, He
forgot everything, and resolved, I'm
petuously to have 1t out with Hawtrey,
quite improperly forgetting that the
blase gentleman was his mothers
guest and entitled TO every courtesy.
After his rivals second dance with
Helen, Teddy approached him and said
with sort of challenge In his voice:
Come upstairs, Hawtrey. have
some capital cognac in my rooms. I'd
like your opinion of It,
"Done, my boy" replied the older
nan suavely.
Scarcely had they reached the rooms
when Teddy hogan holly:
Now see here, Mr.. Hawtrey-"
But he got no farther. HawtrW
placed one hand ON the fiery boys
shoulder and observed coolly:
Il know what you would say; b.t
let us not be impolite or hasty. Shs's
mine II she will or she's yours IL sue
will. Go In and win her. II YOU can.
Remember. I'll show you no quarter
.all's fair In love-"
But she loves me. she's only dsf-
xled by your money" asserted Tel.
with amazing frankness.
~ don't care whom she loves; It k
whom she will marry that interests
me-" answered the older man. with a
cool stare.
"By heavens. would you marry 4
girl that only
~ would marry any girl to whom
took q notion. II the mood pleased me-.
Love is an old-fashioned commodity.
Ask Helen. Mr.. Armstrong, when you
get a chance; I mean to, during this
next Dance"
Poor Teddy was stunned. His Ideals
were pure. and he very properly re
garded honor, love ana respect as
holy trinity. Suddenly an idea seemed
to strike him.
"'Alrs fair in love- you say" he re-
marked CURLY, and strobe from the
room. saying in very low voice, as he
passed his big mastiff, who was dozing
on q rug, watch him. Duke"
The next waltz was half ended when
Ted strolled up to Miss Vernon and
said, In a tone Of mock surprise: