The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-10-20
Heads or Tails For Love
[orIglnaI.l

[OriginaLl
Alice Wren was a witch. It's singu-
lar that when we apply the title to an
old woman we mean hag and when
we apply II TO young girl we mean
something fascinating. Alice was a
young girl. She had no end Of lovers
and was always trying to see how far
she could go with any of them without
being caught in a matrimonial net
She did not draw them by her wlles;
there was no necessity for that; but
she would agree to marry them on i'm.
possible conditions. The consequence
was that when she at last met man
who inspired her with at least un.
certainty, she had formed a habit OF
toying with lovers that made her only
more reckless with this one
When Walter Trask proposed he was
treated the same as the others
He was not refused outright, lie
was laughlngly given a cOnundrum Ia
solve. II he solved 1t he had won; II
not he had lost. He cOldly admitted
that he had no brains for puzzles
and since the task was impossible he
must give mp the prize. Not being
accustomed TO have her suitors give her
up so easily. Alice was piqued, but AZ
Trask did not bite at any of the bait,
she held out to him she found no op.
portunity for revenge. Finally, when
her eyes swapping with mischief, she
told him she would decide for or
against him by spinning a coin, he de,
clared that that was n proposition be
could understand and assented. TAX,
Ing a penny from his pocket, he asked
her whether "heads" OF tails" meant
yes" but she declined to use any
coin for her decision except a silver
dollar that she had long kept In her
treasure box. She went for II. and
showed u to the applicant for her
hand TO prove that all was fair. Walter
looked It over and, seeing nothing I'm.
usual about II. handed II back 10 her.
"lt II falls head up" she said. 81 am
yours; II tails, am not yours"
Going to a highly polished table, she
removed everything from ii and set
the coin spinning on It. II whirled for
long while, then gradually settled
down tails up.
BEST two In three" said Walter.
Anything to please you." she re,
piled, and spun II again. II settled
down as before.
BEST three In Ave" he pleaded.
The operation was repeated. and
again the reply was mo"
Walter begged for one more chance.
or best ave In nine. She granted his
request, declaring as she did 80 that
another spin. 1t tails, would be a tinal
decision. She twirled the coin. and
tails Il was, Walter asked to ex-
anime the coin again. but she refused
him and took it away
That afternoon Robbie, Allce's broth.
or, aged nine came along whlstling
THE Girl Left Behind Me-" and Wal.
ter agreed TO give him n dollar bill II
he would exchange "A silver dollar for
the one his sister kept in her treasure
box. Robbie proved doubly corrupt.
lble. lie accepted Walters hrlbe. but
not being able to get into the box OF,
fered to divide with his sister IL she
would unlock Il, Then he accepted q
hrihe from her 60 take her coin TO her
lover aud keep her knowledge Of It 4
secret, Walter ON receiving the silver
dollar tested It TO see Il il were loaded,
but found Il an honest piece OF money.
Then he brought microscope TO bear
on Il and discovered that fine Tile
had been drawn lightly over the hev-
eled edge on the head side, This cauS
ell It when spun ON a smooth surface
to slip on this side and throw tails up
Walter hrihed Robbie TO take il back
10 the box ana say nothing.
The lovers next object was TO per.
snade Alice TO make a new decision
on the fall OF a coin furnished by him,
He expected a refusal. but was sur.
H1Rad at a granting Of the been on