The Wahpeton times., 1913-09-18

PHIL LOST THE BET
sy IDA sHEpLER.

By IDA sHEPLER.
Mcguire languidly watched the
smoke curl from his cigar, play in
weaving circles about his shapely face
and head, then float Oh 70 the realms
Of pipe dreams. Presently q dreamy,
satisned smile stole into his blue eyes.
He was 20 sure Of her truth, intesrity
and love for himself. Adorable Lora.
He was Fastening back to her and
their wedding day at steamer spesd.
The half closed door OF his room let
In the sound Of voices. Il was IA
Rainsy and Tom Larkin. NcQuirs had
run into them somewhere abroad.
They Eere coming homo On ~ sams
stsamSd. elnsk-t .
Gone. gone bad, isn't her, Rainey
was saying. believes that lora Il
innocence pessonined. Doesn't know
that she's . good ave years or more
older than himself. Don't guass that
she's out to marry . fortune. Don't
know that she's, In turn. been sweet,
heart to al Of 40. or anything Of that
afIair Of hers and Lambert'a, does he?"
McQuire's cigar dropped from his
parted lips. The red leaped In IN
ugly fame to his face. They were
talking. these friends Of his, Of the girl
he was to marry. His right hand
opened TO slap little Rainsy fair in
his calumniating mouth. Larkin's IN.
swer came slowly, between puffs at
bis pipe: Mcguire 10 young. She
isn't good enough for him. that's only
too true. But. Rainey, the girl was
only . little reckless, too much Of
dirt. Nothing worse. Lambert 10 q
liar. McQuire's . good locker and no,
body's fool, II he was born to revel in
gold"
''Lora would not marry any man
unless he brought her gold7'' Rainey
still persisted. "Oh. you need not
worry about shutting the door; Mo.
Quire is on the deck. I saw him 90 up
IN hour ago."
Mcguire fidgeted and worried about
his cabin for an hour after. Not q
doubt of Lora's love edged itself in his
mind. No one but himself had ever
possessed her heart OF that he was
sure.
After awhile the plan he would work
to confute these friends came crowd.
ing itself into his head. It was neither
new or original, but It would do.
Rainey and Larkin found him dull
company forthwith. Then it, reason
came out. He had received ! telegram
at starting. Hoped it was not 20 bad
% stated. His fortune, to the last
dollar, was In jeopardy. He had made
some foolish investment Further he
would not talk. Simply moped, smoked
and read.
"Rainey. the little sneak, will 20
straight to Boston and tell Lora," No
Quire thought to himself. Nothing
will suit him better. Nothing viii suit
me better, either"
From New York Mcguire wrote .
brief letter to Lora:
my Dearest: I'm viewing the hole
where it has all gone down. You no
doubt have heard Of the Parkinson
company crash? The private fortunes
they swamped with their own stupen.
dous failure? have trusted Parkin-
son as might have my father, had I,
one at present. Well, I'm not going to
cry over spilled milk. It's done. and
can't be helped. l can work for my
darling. have youth, health, strength
and love left. You know l studied
law. Behold future Webster in your
husband. cannot wait to see you.
Lovingly, Phil
Rainey was with Lora when she re.
ceived this epistle. He watched her
pretty face turn pale, then flushed.
"Of course it's love in q cottage"
said Rainey.
"Of course it isn't" she fared. "Is it
fact that he was fool enough to trust
his immense fortune in the keeping Of
that company he refers to-"
Guess he did. He was .tolerably
frank about the matter. He isplaying
cheerful to you in this letter. He be-
lieves that nothing would separate
your love from him."
WHAT" she nearly shrieked; "mar-
~ pauper? Bah, he hasn't brains
enough to get first client. Me do
kitchen work and make my own
clothes for loves sake? Well, hardly
Phil was nearly a month getting
over everything that followed that let
ter. At the end of that time he was
as good as new.
Gladys. Phil's cousin. went calling
on Lora. her cousins late betrothal
ring shining on her hand.
1t wasn't fitting for Lora to notice
this. but she did the lovely bracelets
Gladys was wearing. "A gift from
Cousin Phil" the girl quite innocently
answered.
Il never knew that you had
cousin so fond Of you. Seems to me
that l heard your cousin lost all his
money" Lora's eyes were wide with
surprised inquiry.
"Oh, no." Gladys went on. still more
lnnocently; "Phil never lost his money.
Not cent. He was engaged to some
Eifl I couldn't get him tn tall ma