The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1903-07-04
MRS. SPICER'S CATCH
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stood Whether she had any private
grief of her own to avenge 1 don't
know. At any rate, shs might have &C
complished the same result without
publicly wounding any ones feelings
Herbert Vincent was an athlete and
a good fellow with one especial weak
ness-he was easily led by women But
as all men r more or less weak In
this respect Herbert was not blamed by
his friends. Indeed. there vas some
thing amusing I'm the violence of his
love affairs. At last. however, he set
tied down to two IN He was very
fond Of a young girl. Hazel Abbey.
and in love with a widow. Mrs. Ara
bella Bates Miss Abbey was too young
and inexperienced to cope with Mrs.
Bates. who drew the massive body Of
Mr.. Vincent in her wake as a tug will
draw a ship. Hazel would have ruined
all by a display of jealousy had IT not
been for Mrs. Spicer. who In the ways
of the world could discount the widow
and give her points besides
You keep away from Herbert" said
Mrs. Spicer, while the fever is on
him. Sooner or later it will pass
away" Hazel had the good n to
take the advice, and she went away
for a visit.
One evening Mrs. Spicer was chat
ting with Herbert at a ball. Mrs
Bates was present, and, passing the
couple on the arm Of a cavalier, she
gave Vincent a smile that displayed a
set Of very white and regular teeth.
'-Oh, If / had such teeth as Mrs.
Bates" said Mrs. Spicer, throwing up
her hands dramatically, 'Td not ask
for another beauty"
They are as white as her unblem-
ished soul,'' exclaimed Vincent
IF / were a man and had a ladyloye
with such teeth, / would eve rest till
/ had one OF them for a keepsake. I'd
wear it next my heart"
Vincent made no reply, but the next
time he was left alone with Mrs. Bates
he entered into raptures upon What he
called pearl crescents," meaning her
upper and under rows Of teeth, asking
her TO give him one little tooth from an
unexposed place. The widow demur-
red, spoke OF the dreadful pain she
would suffer, the fact that the tooth
would never grow again-in fact. made
every excuse in reason and beyond rea-
son-but Herbert pleaded and whined
and threatened till at last he secured a
promise that he should have his hearts
desire. A few days later he called on
Mrs. Bates and received the tooth.
wrapped in a bit of white, scented It's
sue paper. The widow showed him the
spot left vacant, whereupon he gath
cred her in his arms.
The next time Vincent met Mrs. Spi-
Ger, while he was leaning over to pick
up her handkerchief, she caught sight
of a delicate gold chain which had be-
come entangled in the collar button at
the back of his neck. She knew he
was wearing the tooth.
Before the close of the social season
Mrs. Spicer gave a cotilion party al
which Mr.. Vincent, Mrs. Bates and
Miss Abbey were present. Mr.. Vincent
was somewhat troubled at the presence
of the two women who held the chief
place il his heart; but, as usual, the
widow, by superior push" carried the
evening and secured her admirer for a
partner. Miss Abbey, seeing him car
ried off, turned her face to the val to
hide her yexation, then faced about
and accepted for a partner a meek look
I'M young man who had asked her.
Mrs. Spicer made a list of the figures
in the dance which she gave to the
leader. This was one of them: A lady
would place an ivory bit in the mouth
of another lady and with a pair OF
fancy reins drive her to the gentleman
with whom she was to dance b hg-
ure. A number of ladies had been thus
driven when the hostess appeared be-
fore Mrs. Bates and, placing the bit
between her teeth, drove her once
around the room, then stopped before
Mr.. Herbert Vincent. Just as he was
about to put his right arm about his
partner Mrs Spicer gave a terrific jerk
on the reins. with a saving motion,
that nearly pulled the widow over
backward. There was a shrek, and a
double set Of false teeth fell on the
floor.
MI. Vincent was a true cavalier. The
teeth had scarcely touched the floor
when he dropped his handkerchief over
them, picked it up with the teeth, and
before any one but himself and one or
two immediate ~bystanders had seen
what had happened he sailed away
with Mrs. Bates. After once or twice
circling the room he paused before the
doorway and, leading his partner into
the hall at the foot Of the staircase.
handed her the teeth, still inclosed in
the handkerchief, Catching at them,
she turned and hurried away to the
ladies' robing room.
Herbert Vincent and Mrs. Spicer
were not again on speaking terms that
season. He bitterly condemned her
for her ungracious act. though the
lady went about with a self satisfied
air, as though she had accomplished a
great feat. Vincent's next call upon
Mrs. Bates was fraught with embar-