The Prescott daily news., 1908-02-27
A DONATION
By GEORGE T. PARDY
opyright. 1907. by Daily Story Pub. Co.,,


 smile that displayed her small even rows of white teeth to the best pos sible advantage. En passant, 1t may be observed that "old girl" was mere ly term of endearment and not to be taken literally in the case of Kitty Loftus. For she was not quite 2S, and four years of married life had not detracted from the dark gypsy beauty of her small face or the dainty curves of her trim, little fig ure. They had lived luxuriously dur ing that period, for Jack Loftus was not given to denying himself the mate rial comforts of life, and Kitty was kindred spirit
 But gentlemen who follow the for tunes of race horses as a means of replenishing their pocketbooks are apt to meet with annoying reyerses when the luck runs crooked And for the past year the luck had been treating Loftus scandalously. He had always been fortunate on the Chicago tracks, and when sudden outburst of civic righteousness eliminated in the clos ing down of the sport in the Windy City, his income dwindled sadly. He tried the eastern tracks, but results were not encouraging.
 Now they were back in Chicago, liv- ing in fashionable apartment build ing, as was their custom. It was a snug little fiat and beautifully fur nished, but expenses were woefully high and the bank account uncom- fortably low. Also Christmas was but few days away and the prospect of being broke during the glad season was anything but cheerful,
 If l could raise about five hundred" sighed Jack, I'd run down to New Orleans and take a whirl. There's a couple of good things planted that I'm wise to-but what's the use of talking when one hasn't got the dough? | tried to borrow it from that beast of a Tyson, but he refused to dig, said his money was all tied up. and so on, y'know the gag"
 Kitty nodded She was very worldly wise In such matters. T wish l had chance to ask him." she said, thoughtfully
 Loftus laughed. Its an open secret that he's a great admirer of yours, Kit" he responded But 1 don't be- lieve you could induce him to loosen up."
 still" said Kitty, meditatively, its worth a trial. Suppose you ask him to supper tomorrow"
 Just as you please" returned her husband. q know you're a wonder. Kit, but you'll find him tight wad for fair"
 From the foregoing conversation it may be deduced that the members of the matrimonial firm of Loftus & Go. were not overburdened with moral go-lucky sort of life they led. is not greatly to be wondered 1t. Yet Kitty was devoted to her lord, and he re- turned her affection in kind. But the game of chance they played did not admit of too strict an observance of conventional rules.
 Two days later Mir. Edgar Tyson sat alone in his handsomely y-appointed bachelor chambers and pondered deeply. He was 55. a wealthy busi- ness man of good standing and one of the elect in Chicago society circles. Also, he was badly smitten by the charms of Kitty Loftus, a fact of which that astute young matron was fully cognizant. But she was far too clever to let MT. Tyson know that she know, although she and Jack had often made merry over his infatuation.
 Tyson rather fancied himself as an expert lady killer, but he was uncer- tain just how far it was safe to go in the present instance. Yet on the night when he accepted Jack Loftus' invitation, he detected a change in Kittys manner that raised his hopes to a dizzy altitude. She was weary of this big, stalwart gambler, he told himself. and yielding to the fascination of his superior breeding and air of culture. Jack had stated his intention of leaving for New Orleans on the following morning Therefore the way would be clear for a visit to Kitty and perhaps. fervent declaration of love
 Through the medium of the ever hardy telephone he ascertained that Jack Loftus had really left town and, in answer to proposal to call on her, Kitty yielded glad consent. She would be so lonely" said the plaintive voice. and 1t was so kind of him to think of her, all by herself on Christ