Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-01-01

a long brea.l broke from those -
looked at the deal. Neither grOan nor
sigh came from John Law. He gazed
inditferently at the heap of coin and
paper that lay on the table, and which
by the law of play, was now his own.
'"Trente ct lie va" he said. Il knew
that it would come. Sir Arthur, half
regret to rob thee thus, but shall
ask my slipper in hand paid. Pardon
me, too, II chide thee for risking 1t in
play. Gentlemen, there is much In
this little shoe, empty as 1t is"
He dangled it upon his finger, hardly
looking at the winnings that lay be-
fore him. "'Tis monstrous pretty, this
little shoe," he said, rousing himself
from his half reverie.
But heard you not the wager which
was proposed over the little shoe?"
broke in Castleton. Wilson, here,
was angered when laid him odds that
there was but one woman in London
who could wear this shoe. offered
him odds that his good friend, Kittie
Lawrence"
Nor had we the right to offer such
bet!" cried Wilson, ruffied by the do
ings of the evening.
"I'll lay you myself there's no wom-
an in England whom you know with
foot small enough to wear it," cried
Castleton.
Meaning to me?" asked Law, po-
litely.
ITO any one," cried Castleton. quick
ly, but most to thee, fancy, since
tits now thy shoe!"
I'll lay you 40 crowns, then, that I
know smaller foot than that Of
Madam Lawrence" said Law, suavely.
"I'll lay you another 40 crowns that
I'll try it on for the test, though l first
saw the lady this very morning. I'll
lay you another 40 crowns that Madam
Lawrence cannot wear this shoe
though her have never SEEN"
These words ranked, though they
were said off-hand and with the license
of coffee-house talk at SO late an hour
Beau Wilson rose, in somewhat I'M
steady attitude, and, turning towards
Law, addressed him with tone which
left small option as to its meaning.
"Sirrah!" cried he, Il know MT who
you are, but would have word OF
two of good advice for you'll"
"Sir, thank you,' said John Law
"but perhaps do not need advice.
He did not rise from his seat,
Have it then at any rate, and bt
civil!" cried the older man. "Yol
seem staggering sort, with your tall
of love and luck, and such are sure t.
get their combs cut early enough herr
among Englishmen. I'll not toleratj
your allusion to a lady you have neve
met, and one honor deeply, sir, deep
ly!"
II am but young man started on
to seek his fortune" said John Law
his eye kindling now for the first time
"and / should do very i'll if evadet
that fotune, whatsoever it may be-"
"Then you'll take back that talk o
Mrs. Lawrence!"
II have made no talk of Mrs. Law
renee, SIR said Law, "and even ha
/, should take back nothing for de
mand like yours. IT'S not meet, sill
where no offense was meant, to crow
in an offensive remark"
| Pembroke said nothing. The situa
ton was ominous enough at this point
A sudden gravity and dignity fell upo
the young men who sat there. schoole
in an etiquette whose first lesson wa
that Of personal courage.
"Sirrah!" cried Beau Wilson, II pei
ceiye your purpose. II you prove goo
enough to name lodgings where 20
i may be found by my friends. I sha
ask leave to bid you very good night.
/, So speaking, Wilson flung out Of tn
room. "A silence fell upon those lei
within.
"Sirs," said Law, a moment later.
beg you to bear witness that this is n
matter Of my seeking or accepting
This gentleman is a stranger to me.
hardly got his name fair"
Wilson is his name, sir" said Pen
broke, "a very good friend of us al
He is of good family, and doth kee
his coach-and-four like any gentleman
For him we may vouch very we'll"
II. "Wilson!" cried Law, springing no
to his feet. "'Tis not him known 8
! Beau Wilson? Why, my dear sirs, b
father was friend to many of my XII
long ago. Why, sir, this is one of thos
to whom my mother bade me look
get my first ways of London we'll lai
out"
4. "These are some Of the ways Of Lol
dom" said Pembroke, grimly.
l "But is there no fashion in whic
this matter can be accommodated"
II Pembroke and Castleton looked |
each other, rose and passed him, eac
raising his hat and bowling court
ously.
"Your servant, sir" said the on,
and, "Your servant, sir" said Il
, other. 40.
:, ITO be continued