The Meeker herald., 1906-08-18
TAILS.
YOU LOSE
1y JAMES HARRINGTON


As hanson CAP stopped AT the gate
way In suburban town not far
from New York. a, trolley car came to
o halt before the same house. From
the hanson cab there sedately stepped
tall, grave-faced young man. He
was carefully. even deliberately dressed.
in a formal style. A carnation bloomed
In the lapel Of his coat-giving the las.
touch to a masterpiece.
"Pll walk to the house. Return in
drove away. AS the young man
turned toward the gateway he met an
other young man. who had jumped
briskly from the trolley car ere 1t
fully stopped. The second young
mans coat was sack. worn with
careless air; his soft felt hat would
have been the better for brushing.
especially now. when placed alongside
of the first young mans shining silk.
"Well-how are you, Carson?" said
he of the tall hat; and an interpreter
Of the subtler tones of human speech
would have said he meant: "Confound
you'll"
How are you, Digby?" responded
the trolley passenger, and the hypo-
thetical reader Of tones would have de-
clared his real meaning to be: "oh.
the devil take the luck!"
And the two young men stood stock
still for a moment or two, in the
ardent sunshine of the spring after
noon, staring ruefully, blankly, one at
the other.
Look here. Digby," said Carson.
with the stock brokers' energy. Lets
talk this thing over for . minute. II
We both go in-what's the use-no fun
in that for either of us. Am cor
rect?"
"You certainly are. old chap. But
perhaps 1t would be fun for-for Miss
Carrollton."
ooh, no doubt 1t wouldn't I. for
one, am rather tired of furnishing
Miss Carrollton that kind of fun"
And l am. for another"
an fact" went on Carson. intently
eying the other man, IL ran out to-
day to settle up my share in the fun.
one way or the other"
The other man started, and replied
with livelier air than he had hither-
to shown: I'VE appear to be getting
confoundedly confidential and ex-
planatory-but all right-let 1t go at
that I came out with precisely the
same object in view"
"Old man." said Carson, laying his
hand on the others sleeve, honest
Injun, now. what do you think Of your
chances?'
"Tell me what you think Of yours.
Carly, and I'll be in better shape 10
give you an answer"
well, Digby, know this much
or believe 1.-THE chances lie between
us two. No others in sight"
"I am inclined to agree with you.
said Digby. "And. to go a step farther,
the chap who gets his question in first,
has-well-the lead at any rate"
Guess you're right about that. too"
assented Carson.
With sudden CLEAN In his eyes.
Digby turned to his rival.
Look here. old chap: I'll toss YOU
to see who goes crst. Man who wins
why he-why he pops the question
without any more fuss-right OIL the
bat. and settles the thing
Carson stared; and then q smile
broke out over his handsome face.
Sure! l say-you have more sporting
blood than I gave you credit for"
ooh. l have little. when I arouse
It," said Digby, with an air of mod
esty. He drew 50-cent coin from his
pocket. Lets toss this-best two of
three wins" Suddenly he paused and
looked around. But. look here. Carly.
we may be under observation from the
house; rather ridiculous to be seen
acting like a pair of newsboys play.
ing pitch and toss. Here. I'll show you
a wrinkle. Well spin the coin on this
stone bench here, and call what face
falls upward"
That's good enough for me. Dig
you spin-I trust in Dame Fortune
let her go!"
Beg your pardon, Carly" said Dig
by, gravely: "but, as 1t is my coin.
I'd much prefer that you spin first
looks better, don't you know"
How scrupulous. Dig-but. all right,
Here she twiris-what do you cry?"
81 cry tails said Digby. The sill
yer coin turned like bubble in the
Sunshine. and fell with musical
tinkle. You win. Digby!" cried Car
son. a flush mounting into his cheeks.
Now you twist her.
Digby did so. I'll take turn at
tails-just for luck" said Carson And
the coin turned tails up.
Last time, Dig" said Carson. set
ting the coin a-whirling once again.
"Oh, I stick to tails" said DIgby-
never like to hedge. you know" And
the coin turned date up.
IAN right. Digby-good-by. and bad
luck to you" said Carson, wheeling
| around.