Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-02-17
H WAGER.

llUuluS, Wv AAtos 10y tote "a
back and laughing merrily. "Ah. me
he has mistaken me, 1 have had enough
of matrimony. and my present life OF
freedom suits me"
II admire the mans impudence."
said her company. Mrs. Grantley Har-
rington. "He has never even seen you
yet, has hep"
mo. Tell me exactly how it hap
pened."
Certainly! Grantley invited his
cousin, Harry Vaughn. Mr.. George
Coates, and this irresistible Horace
Cook to dine with him yesterday.
After presiding at dinner /, of course,
left the table after dessert; about an
hour later l was passing through the
hall, when I heard Mr.. Cooke say:
$50 this charming widow, Mrs.
Dayton, has vowed never to marry
again. | want Il wife, and from your
description ] think she would suit me.
What will you bet l make her break
her VOW"
ga thousand dollars said Harry.
"sDone!" said Mr.. Cooke. When
our party starts for Saratoga in May the
charming widow will join the party as
MIS-. horace COOKE.
II went upstairs. but | determined
to put you on your guard, for tonight,
at our house you will meet him"
"Nevcr fear for me. I'll have him
at my feet in week." and again the
silvery laugh rung through the parlor.
Mrs. Harrington and Horace Cooke
were ,tanding a few hours later in the
formers brilliantly lighted parlors.
There were beautiful women and hand
some men all around them, but the
star Of the evening was not there. 1t
was a fancy party, and Mrs. Harring-
ton, Il lovely little blonde, in u piiquant
flower girls dress, made quite acharm-
ing contrast to the tall brigand beside
her, whose fine figure and dark, hand
som face suited well his dress.
May I tell your fortune?" said a
' sweet low voice beside the couple, and
they turned. One quick glance passed
between the speaker and Mrs. Harring-
ton. and then the hostess passed on to
receive other guests.
Stay. lady, let me tell your fortune?"
said the gypsy.
mo. tell my friends. Mr.. Cooke. l
beg your pardon, Conrad, you will
listen" and she moved away. Mr..
| Cookies eyes were riveted upon his
companion. and he mechanically offered
his hand for her perusa!.
She was II startling, beautiful figure.
Her scarlet SKIRT. short and full, was
embroidered in gold with strange
figures and the tiny foot it left exposed
wa. cased in scarlet boot embroidered
in the same way. The body of the
dress was of white muslin. made full,
| but cut so as to leave the neck and
arms bare. A brilliant scarf was
bound from the righs shoulder, to make
Il full bow ut the left side. A turban
of white was on the hair, which fell be-
I Wealth it in rich black masses almost to
flle wcarer's feet. A graceful figure,
medium height, large, black eyes, a
rich, clear complexion, with a clear
color, completed the picture.
Your fortune" she said. as she
dreamily scanned the palm of his hand,
''to WOO where you can"
Two waltzers whirled in between the
couple. and when Mr.. Cooke again
looked the gypsy was gone. 1t was Il
long time before he saw her again; but
at last he found her. She was stand
ing alone near table. lazily turning
the leaves Of an annual. 1t was in u
little sitting-room leading from the
parlor, aud She was its sole occupant.
will you not finish telling my for.
tunep" said he coming in. She started.
oh" she said, Il dare not. Myspell
was SO violently broken l am afraid to
renew it,
Afraid! I read your face wrongly,
| should have said the spirit shining
through your eyes seemed fear"
$50. while l studied your hand, YOU
specialized about my face"
Gould any M let such 4 face pass
him and not try to read it?!"
A low, mocking courtesy was the an
swer to the compliment. The stood VI
hour in the little room, and. whel
Horace at length offered his arm tt
escort the charming gypsy to the par
lor. he wished deyoutly that the houl
could have been doubled or multiplied
indefinitely.
Mrs. Harrington" said MIR. Cooke
meeting the hostess in the room. ''whel
is the Irresistible Mrs. Dayton expected
to honor us?!s
! Why said Mrs. Harrington. "yo,
have the irresistible Mrs. Dayton
hanging on your arm. Has nobody in
PRODUCED you YET Let me do it. Mrs
DAYTON, this is MI. Cooke, Mr.. Cooke
Mrs. Dayton. Now l hope you know
each other"
Mrs. Dayton's eyes were fixed upol
the carpet. but there was Il world o
mischief lurking in them. if her partne
could have seen it.
4 So she said. at length, Il have.
seems, the ~envial,le reputation Of bein,
irresistibleH:
\ "A reputation rs well deserved a
scarcely to merit repetition" was th
reply.
A number Of other gentlemen wer
by this time collected around Mrs
Dayton. Her skill rs u so%rtune-telle
was now again called into requisitieI
and many a hearty laugh rung throug
the circle ut the witty turns She gay
to each ones cherished Irritation. o.
they thought. silent admiration.
II Mag I see you homep" said Horace
IS the rooms began To thin.
Sorry. but I am already engaged
MAY / call to-MorrowPgr