Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1910-08-20

she should be ready for his slightest
move. Finally he gave II up.
did Cook send you out to do tEis!'
"Ycs."
well. suppose l shall have to lose
the bet"
THAT isn't necessary"
"What do you mean!"
"That IL you ask me to give you
what have taken | will do So
ION what conditions:"
NO conditions"
"No conditions! What do you mcanT
Il mean that | agreed with Hum
phrcy for dozen pairs OF gloves 10
come out and delay you. Please don't
ask me why prefer not to do So
She east down her eyes. aud her
meaning was plain. She had gone
soft ON CnamplIn.
She handed him the nut. lie re-
placed II. and In another minute they
were shooting again along the road.
Champlin was delighted. Cook had
very nearly got ahead Of him-would
have got ahead Of him had II not been
that the girl had taken so great a
fancy TO him that she hadn't the heart
TO do" him. What splendid joke 1t
would be on Cook and the party who
were present ut the making Of the bet
when champlin and Miss Hood rolled
up to the hotel on time. Miss
Hood hadn't even asked for the gloves
her cousin had offered her to help him
win them. Champlin told her that as
soon as he received the stakes he
would give them 10 her and she could
change them for ladies' gloves. In
stead Of being pleased at this, she ap-
peared to be very much hurt. Champ
lin begged her to tell him why. and
she replied that she had not consented
TO be turncoat for bribe. This left
him TO understand that she had done
II all for him. There was very ten
der scene between them. at the end Of
which the misunderstanding was made
up, and for the rest of the Journey
Miss Cook held the steering wheel,
while Mr.. Champlln's arm was about
her waist.
preaching the city. having still an
hours lceway. they concluded to stop
at convenient place and get the dust
out OF their Threats with an Ice.
Champlin left the lady for n brief sea-
son while he poured out something
more effective than an ice In doing
away with dust. On rejoining her they
part0ok of the ices and resumed their
journey.
"What are you smiling et:" asked
Miss Hood OF her companion.
"Oh. was thinking how surprised
that cousin OF yours Will be when we
roll up on time That was rascally
proceeding Of his. and It deserved to
fail. II you hadn't been the dearest
girl In the world 1t would have sue
ceeded. But just think OF his surprise
when he hears OF the other part Of It,"
He managed to get hold OF her hand
with his left, holding on TO the wheel
with one hand. and they bowlcd along
In this way until they met another
conveyance.
And now the dome OF the capitol
with the figure perched upon II doomed
up faint I'm the distance. 1t was not
long before the outskirts OF the city
were reached, and half an hour before
the time limit had expired they stopped
at the ladies' entrance to the -
hotel A llveried servant advanced
and said:
"Mr Cook and n party OF ladies and
gentlemen are In n private dining room
waiting for you. sir
Entering the room, Champlin expect
ed TO find Cook eager 10 know why his
scheme had failed. Instead Cook hand
ed his cousin dozen pairs OF ladies'
gloves After this he put out his hand
to Champlln.
II congratulate you. old boy, with all
my heart on your engagement"
Champlin stood mute with astonlsh-
ment
Champ. old boy" added Cook. 'you
need an explanation. To make you
lose sent my cousin Jack out 10 ef-
feet an entrance into your auto and de-
lay you on the way. If she succeeded
she was to have dozen pairs Of
gloves for IA reward. She has lost the
gloves"
That's plain" said Champlin.
"weil. there was bet between Jack
and me OF another dozen pairs of
gloves against n hundred cigars that
she would make you propose to her on
the way"
Cbamplin looked so many emotions.
OF which establishment and shame
facedness We're the most prominent,
that all burst into a laugh, in which
he finally Joined. Then. turning to Miss
Hood. he advanced. with puzzled. in
quiring look on his face
WAS It all sham?" he asked.
She made no reply In words. but n
slight color rising 10 her cheeks indi-
Gated that the brief period she had
passed. even OF a sham engagement.
had not been unpleasant TO her. BE-
sides. Champlin was regarded ms one
OF the best catches In Washington.
qinea ha rotiid 0at No word NJ RON.