The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1903-02-12
Cradle or Grave.
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n7Rs- ARMsTRONGs modest II


whr. he was the happiesr young fei-
low In the world. And why Hot2 Had
he not Just emerged from the unlTer-
siry with colors dying. and was he not
about 10 ask the girl OF his heart TO
eladden his hearthstone for Hfet
Ills mother had said to him during
the day. Don't be too sanguIne. Ted
dy. for Helen has been accepting at
tentions from Mr. Hawtrey during the
last few months. and be IS rich and
world-weary. and just the sort OF nan
to faseinate a young girl fond u fat
terry and position
Helen loves me. I'm sure replied
confident Ted. and. besides. she would
not sell herself
well. my dear. hope you are not
TO be disappointed. but the Ways or
the giri-of-the-period are beyond ne
Yca remember Mabel CoulterY'
oh. Mabel was hirt," broke in
Ted. and Il was not to be expected
that she would marry the man she lad
led on; but Helen-I only want her
word that she'll wait until I've made
my future sure. She's true blue
As for the young lady herself. she
felt sure that Teddy Armstrong world
propose that night; and, though she
confessed that her heart was in a state
CT commotion when she thought OF
him. still it would be awful nice 70 be
Mrs. Bruce Hawtrey and live IN the big
mansion, have all sorts Of Iuxuries and
travel IN Europe.
And Mr. Hawtrey. He was u Nid-
over, old enough 10 be Helen's father.
and was voted TO be something OF a
cad The little Vernon ally" he had
remarked. has lots Of go. and a yoUns
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 eT-
erything was very jolly. Helen Yer
non, Mr.. Hawtrey and Ted were Gov
Gritty watched By all, as gossip lad 1t
that both men were dead set" on win
ming the pretty belle OF NJ.
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 50 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 it out with HawCrey,
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 a 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 began holly:
Vow see here. Mr. Hawtrey-"
But he got no farther. Hawtrey
nlaeed one hand on the fiery boys
shoulder and observed cooIly:
II know what you would say; but
let US not be impolite or hasty. She's
mine II she VII or she's yours II she
will Go In and win her, II you can.
Remember. I'll show you no quarter
ais fair in love
But she loves me. she's only daz-
zled by your money asserted Ted,
with amazing frankness.
II don't care whom she loves; it is
whom she will marry that interests
me-" answered the older man, with
cool stare.
by heavens, would you marry
girl that only
Il would marry any girl to whom
took a notion. II the mood pleased me.
Love Is an old-fashioned commodity
Ask Helen. Mr.. Armstrong. when you
get chance: | mean TO. during this
next dance.
Poor Teddy was stunned. His Ideals
were pure. and he very properly re-
garded honor. love and respect rs
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. a he
raised his big mastiff. who was doing
on a rug, watch him. Duke"
The next waltz was half ended when
FED stroIIed up TO Miss Vernon AID
said. In a tone OF mock surprise:
why. Helen. you of all people to
be sitting out a dance:'
The pretty girl blushed and looked
bit annoyed.
"Mr. Hawtrey engaged the number;
evidently he has forgotten me, she
replied.
"Finish It with meT
with pleasure"
Hawtrey did not appear again that
evening. and many were the comments
because OF his strange disappea rance:
but Teddy looked supremely happy. for
the girl Of his heart had said Yes"
The girls chaffed Helen a bit In the
lrassing room because her rich cava