The Farmington times and herald. (Farmington, St. Francois Co., Mo.) 1902-1905, 1904-07-15
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tCOpy right. Isp2, by Emerson Hough.l

way. He swept his winnings from ;he
coin pushed out TO him.
Now we have thee, Mr.. Law cried
| Pembroke. "One more turn, and ]
hope your very good nerve will leave
1 the stake on the board, for 80 well
see II all come back to the bank, even
as the sheep came home at eyentide
/ Here your lane turns. And It's at the
| last stage, for the next is the limit OF
the rules OF the game But you'll not
win IT,
Anything you like for little per-
sonal wager" said the other, with no
/ excitement in his voice.
/ why. then, anything you like your
self sir" said Pembroke.
Your little slipper against E5o?"
asked John Law.
Why yes" hesitated Pembroke,
| Tor the moment feeling a doubt of the
| luck that had favored him so long that
/ evening "ld rather make 1t soycr.
eigus, but since YOU name the slipper,
/ [ even make 1t SO, for | know there Is
but one chance In hundreds that you
win"
1 The players leaned over the table as
/ the deal went on. Once, twice, thrice,
! the cards went round A sigh groan.
u long breath broke from those who
looked a, the deal Neither groan nor
indincrcntly at the heap OF coin and
paper that lay on the table. and which
by the law Of play. was now his own.
"Trcnlc ct le 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
NE, too. If chide thee for risking 1t in
play. Gentlemen. there Is much In
/ this little shoe empty as It is
He dangled 1t upon his finger hardly
looking at the winnings that lay be-
/ fore him, TITS monstruus pretty, this
little shoe" he SAID, rousing himself
from his half reyeric.
But heard you not the wager which
( broke in Castleton. Wilson. here,
was anEered 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 ye the right to offer such
bet! cried Wilson. ruilled by the do
tngs Of the evening.
/ "I'll lay you myself there's no wom-
an in England whom you know with
foot small enough 10 wear It," cried
+ Castlcton.
Meaning to me-" asked Law, po-
litely.
/ TO any one" cried Castleton, quick
/ ly but most to thee, fancy since
It's now thy shoe,"
I'm lay you 40 crowns, then, that
know smaller foot than that OF
Madam Lawrence" said Law, suavely
+ I'm lay you another 40 crowns that
i I'll try it on for the test, though first
saw the lady this very morning. IN
/ 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 Cunee-hOuso talk ut so late an hour
Beau Wilson rose, in n somewhat un,
steady attitude, and turning towards
Law, addressed him with a tone which
left small option as to its meaning.
Strait" cried he, II know net who
you are, but | would have q word or
two Of good advice for you!"
Sir | thank you" said John Law.
but perhaps do not need advice -
He did not rise from his seat
Have II then at any rate, and be
ciyl!" cried the older man. You
Of love and luck, and such are sure to
get their combs cut early enough here
among Englshmeu. I'll not tolerate
your alluson to a lady you have never
met, and one | honor deeply, sir, deep
ly!"
Il am but young man started ont
to seek his fortune" said John Law,
his eye kindling now for the first time
and should do very i'll II | evaded
that fotunc, whatsoever 1t may be"
Then you'll take back that talk Of
Mrs. lawrence"
II have made no talk of Mrs Law
renee. sir. said Law. and even had
I, should take back nothing for de-
mand like yours, It's not meet, sir.
where no offense was meant, to crowd
in an offensive remark"
Pembroke said nothing. The sltua.
ton was ominous enough at this point.
A sudden gravity and dignity fell upon
the young men who sat there schooled
in an etiquette whose first lesson was
that Of personal courage.
"Sirrah!" cried Beau Wilson, Il per.
ceive your purpose II you prove good
enough to name lodgings where you
may be found by my friends, shall
ask leave to bid you very good night"
So speaking, Wilson flung out of the
room. A silence fell upon those left
within.
"Sirs," said Law, moment later, Il
beg you to bear witness that this is no
matter of my seeking or accepting.
This gentleman is a stranger to me.
hardly got his name fair"
Wilson Is his name, SIR" said Penn.
broke, "a very good friend OF us all.
He is of good family, and doth keep
his coach-and-four like any gentleman.
For him we may vouch very we'll"
wilson," cried Law, springing now
to his feet TITS not him known as
Beau Wilson? Why, my dear sirs, his
father was friend to many OF my kin
long ago. Why. sir. this is one of those
TO whom my mother babe me look TO
get my first ways of London well laid
out"
These are some of the ways of Lon.
don" said Pembroke, grimly.
But is there no fashion in which
this matter can be accommodated"
Pembroke and Castleton looked al
each other, rose and passed him, each
raising his hat and bowling courte.
ously.
.'ynnr NJ L. a