The daily morning Alaskan. (Skagway, Alaska) 1899-1904, 1903-03-06
MRS. SPICER'S CATCH
forlglnall

grief OF her own TO avenge l don't
know. At any rate. she might have &C
complshed the same result without
publicly wounding any ones feelings.
Herbert Vincent was an athlete and
a goOd fellow with one especial weak
uess-he was easily led by women. But
as an men are more or less weak In
this respect Herbert was not blamed by
bis friends. Indeed. there was some
hing amusing IN the violence OF his
'oye affairs. AT last. however, he set
tied down % two women. He was very
fond OF a young girl. Hazel Abbey.
and I'm love with a widow, Mrs. Ara
bella Bates. Mlss Abbey was too young
and inexperienced 70 cope with Mrs.
Bates who drew the massive body or
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 I'm 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 IL win pass
away" Hazel bad the good sense 70
take the advice. and she went away
for a visit.
One evening Mrs. Spicer was chat
ting with Herbert az a BAH. 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. n had such teeth as Mrs
Bates" said Mrs. Spicer, throwing up
her hands dramatically. I'D not ask
FOR another beauty"
They are as white as her unblcm-
ished sOulr' exclaimed Vincent
IF / were a man and had a ladylove
with such teeth. would never rest TIL
| bad one OF them Tor a keepsake. I'd
wear Il next my heart"
Vincent made no reply. but the next
time he was left alone with Mrs Bates
he entered into raptures upon what be
called pearl crescents," meaning her
upper aud under rows OF teeth, asking
her 10 give him one little tooth from an
unexposed place. The widow demur.
rcd. spoke OF the dreadful pain she
would suffer. the fact that the tooIh
would never grow again-in fact. made
every excuse In reason and beyond ren-
son-but Herbert pleaded and whlned
and threatened till at last he secured O
promise that he should have his hearts
desire A few days later be called on
Mrs Bates and received the tooth.
wrapped In a bit OF white, scented lis
sue paper. The widow showed him the
spot left vacant, whercupon 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 cntangled 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. Splcer gave a eOtillon party at
which Mr.. Vincent. Mrs. Bates and
Miss Abbey were present Mr. Vincent
was somewhat troubled az tie presence
OF the two women who held the chief
place IN his heart: but. as usual, the
widow. by superior push" carried the
evening and secured her admirer for
partner. Miss Abbey. seeing him car
rled Oh. turned her face TO the wall 70
hide her vexation. then faced about
and accepted Tor a partner a meek look
mg young man who had asked her.
Mrs. Spicer made a list OF the figures
In the dance which she gave 20 the
leader. This was ore OF them; A lady
would place an ivory bit in the mouth
Of another lady and with a pair OF
fancy rcins drive her 10 the gentleman
with whom she was to dance the 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 bis
partner Mrs. Spicer gave terrific jerk
on the reins, with a saving motion,
that nearly pulled the widow over
backward. There was a shrek, and q
double set OF false teeth fell on the
door.
Mr.. 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
circllng the room he paused before the
doorway and. leading his partner into
the hall at the foot OF the staircase,
banded her the teeth, still inclosed In
the handkerchief. Catching at them.
she turned and hurried away 70 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. Yincents next call upon
Mrs. Bates was fraught with embar-
rassment. He was so considerable as
- gr,-eor etornaI devOfIOn buf his