The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-06-16
ALost Wager
By H. G. Staines


$50 1 have, it seems, the enviable
reputation of being IRRESISTIBLE SIZE
said, at length.
"A reputation so we'll deserved as
scarcely to merit repetition" was the
reply.
A number of other gentlemen We're
| by this time collected around Mrs. Day
ton. Her skill a. fortune teller was
now again called into requisition, and
many a hearty laugh rang through the
circle at the witty turns she gave 10
each ones cherished Irritation, or, as
they thought. silent admiration.
MAY I see you home:'' asked Hor-
| ace, as, the rooms began to thin:
Sorry. but am already enGaged."
"May I call tomorrow
.Ah! he intends to commence bis
siege in good time thought the CHARM
| ing widow, as she gave permission.
The next morning the beautiful and
witty widow looked even more lovely
than on the previous evening. She re-
ceived her guest with quiet. easy grace,
and they chatted for some minutes on
| different subjects.
Then somebody made remark upon
the literature Of the day, and, from
that they, passed on to books. One
author after another was discussed,
quotations few about as t1itcRly as
hailstones, and each was really trying
to lead the other into deep waters.
Mrs. Dayton's thought was:
"This man is no fool, in spite Of his
impudent vanity"
Mr.. Cooke was thinking:
What mind. Horace, that wager
must be Won. 1t Is worth more than
$500, my boy"
From books they passed ea to music,
and it was an easy transition to the
grand piano in the corner. s.s. Cooke
took his seat at the instrument to recall
to her memory a favorite air. His
voice was good, his accompaniment
showed skill and taste, and, bent upon
dazzling the widow, be sang with feel
ing and power.
"Do you remember this?' lie ASKED
touching a few chords Of q duet.
She replied by singing the first notes.
She gradually let her voice out in all
it's rich beauty, and his blended with
hers. He sang low. listening intently.
All. Mr.. Cooke, who is dazzled now?
At last he rose to take his leave, ask
ing and receiving permission to call
again: and Mrs. Dayton took up
book. threw it aside. practiced few
moments, and stopped when she found
she was singing his song. walked out
and returned home. wondering Willy she
could not get that man" out Of her
mind.
TO say that their future intercourse
was pleasant is a dull phrase to de-
scribe it. Each being bent upon max
ing conquest of the other, their best
powers We're exerted. their richest
treasures of wit, accomplishment and
thought displayed, and somehow Mr.
Cooke began to feel ashamed Of his
wager, and Mrs. Dayton wished she
had never seen Horace Cooke.
It was lovely day in early spring
that he called to take her for a ride.
and found her sad and dispirited.
Nothing would have made her confess
it, but the gay little widow was ir
love.
They went out of the town, driving
through an avenue of tall trees. when
Mr.. Cooke began to talk Of love. 1t
aroused the widow from. her depression
to ward the thrusts she felt lie was
making at her secret.
Love- she said, scornfuliy. "Eah:
| A schoolboy's first passion. before he
leaves pinafores, is dignified with the
name. An old mans doting is called
lover
Yet the holiest, highest feeling of
! the heart OF man iii his prime Of power
has no higher name," said her CON-
panion.
"Man in his prime of power" she re-
peated scornfully. I'll tell you how it
- Will uleH. loul lAO t1h-1S NASS "NA->
| to school beside the hoydenish girl
until they are seventy they fancy they
are in love. Every pretty face calls
forth tho protestation Of the passion
you just tried to dignity. They love
| fifty times. and to the ffty-frst fame
! is offered the battered. worn-out heart
rs IL it were brand new and fresh
You wrong Us" he said. reused in
his turn By her steady glance. Though
each admiration of boyhcod and youth
may call forth passing feeling, it is
evaneseent. aad passes Hike q ripple on
deep water. But when the depths of
these waters are stirred by the hHrrd-
cane Of read love, not calling for re-
turn. it at least merits sympathy and
comfort" and he let his voice fall in
4 low. tesader cadence.
Mrs. Dayton felt uncomfortable. TIE
laughing response that rose to her lips
died there, She loIged to teiI him her
belief in his doctrine. Thes were going
slowly along. each intent and thought
ful, when the scream Of locomotive
| startled the horse, and he dashed for.