The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1908-05-21
Gaestss-.,ss.a .as.-e.flr-..~Gf~G
s The Results :
| of a Wager
! ,, MABEL BALDWIN nEARDslEy Z
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By MABEL BALDWIN BEARDsLEY
SUPERINTENDENT
Copyright. BY Joseph B. Bowles.)

The last boat had come In, the train
was rapidly filling up, and Bess looked
sadly out of the window at the hurry
Ing passengers.
you look serious" remarked some
one, and Tom Stickney settled him.
self beside her.
Have you any objections?' asked
Bess, for she was decidedly cross.
What is the matter?" persisted
Tom
II want to go to Washington" an
swered Bess, rather dolefully.
why don't you go?" asked Tom,
though he knew how little she could
afford 1t.
Had Bess not been cross. her tone
and look would have been reproachful
as she answered.:
Don't be silly! You know l would
II could e.
But If l couldn't, how could ~"
finished Tom, provokingly. "Oh! you
will get there some time. Bess Take
1t in on your wedding tour"
And proclaim myself to the world I
bride? Never! All the silly couples
think they must trot off to Washing
ton or Niagara"
II bet you will go to one or the
other, YOURSELF"
Not If l stay single forever and
ever. Just now, wedding trips are far
from my mind My soul is narrowed
with grief because l cannot join this
jolly party. Just listen" and Bess
opened the letter which all this time
she had held in her hand:
"'Dear Bess: l write in haste to tell
you that party of us are going to take
advantage of the Teachers Holiday Elk
cursion to Washington from this place.
Remembering how often you have eX-
pressed wish to visit your mothers
old home. have set my heart upon hay
ing you for my chum. Though the 9TH
they are jolly. easy to know, and as nice
set as you could find; and l assure you
pleasant time.
that you cannot go, but I shall wait until
the very last moment possible. hoping
that some kind fate will smile upon me.
by opening the way for you. The tickets
for the round trip. including board for
three days at first-class hotel are only
by the twenty second. That will give
you over month In which to decide. so
do let it be yes Yours hastily
Now. isn't that tempting? And to-
think that there isn't the ghost Of a
chance for me-"
Bess looked so very disconsolate
that Tom wished with all his heart
that he had the right to comfort her
In his own way. But, though in spite
OF much sparring, they had been
friends always. at any attemr on his
part to assume the role of lover, this
little rose among thorns" made use
of her natural defenses. AS he ex-
pressed it. she always kept fellow
at arms length" Tom had loved her
long, and without undue conceit felt
assured that she cared for him more
than she would own. This stormy lit
tie piece of contrariness would have
to be taken by strategy. But he knew
that Washington had long been her
Mecca, and realized that this was in
deed a great trial. So he was very
sympathetic as he said:
Il wish l could help you out. 7
would willingly loan"
Il beg to be excused" exclaimed
Bess quickly, feeling that she would
rather be beholden to anyone in tho
world than to this old friend, and won
dering why. II don't ask help of any
body
Il know you DON'T replied Tom. d
little nettled. the lover lost for the
moment in the man. Il don't believe
you want to go to Washington. You
wouldn't go if you had the chance
the best chance in the world. You
are just so contrary"
A little red spot burned in each
cheek as Bess looked at the young
man astonished. Spar they did, but
she never had known him to be so abb
solutely rude as this, so downright
quarrelsome.
"Well-why, how rude yous>are!l
There is an empty seat. Perl - YOU
would better take it,"
This seat is very comfortable" rel
piled Tom coolly, seeing that for once
he had the advantage. But | believe
you are playing a part. You do not
want to go to Washington at all, and
I will wager that If before the twenty
second, good opportunity presents
itself. you will back out. In fact
know you will. | know you so we'll"
The decision, the provoking GOODNESS
with which he made this declaration
exasperated Bess, and she replied hot
ly:
81 accept your wager! If a way Is
opened for me to go without borrow
ing or accepting charity. will go
Make your own terms, Mr.. Stickney,
and Bess grew very dignitied.
A sudden rash idea, sudden merr1
twinkle of his eyes, and Tom leaned
down and whispered:
IF I win. you are to marry mel
With all his attempts at love-mah