The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-10-07
manager of the Mathews store. and

manager of the Mathews store. and
-"
THAT'S enough" interrupted her
father. According to my ideas he
hasn't any brains, and that settles 1t.
Now, you go on to bed and forget
about him. You've spoiled my whole
evening""
Esther obeyed him, fOrbearing to
remind him that he had spoiled her
evening, too. Mr.. Harrows went about
his real estate office with black
frowns and irritable speech all the
next day, but when evening came he
donned a smile of expectation; for
Sidney Brown had promised TO stop In
at seven o'clock for three-game
series on his way to lodge. Sidney
came with blood In his eye, hungerlng
for revenge, but when he left an hour
later he was a sadder and wiser
man. Elmer Harrows had triumphed
again.
While Esther's father sat gloating
over his success there came a firm
knock at the den door.
"Come in." he called. and rather
good-looking, slim. well-dressed young
man entered-a young man with alert
eyes.
Mr.. Harrows grew red In the face
"You-you-" he stammered. "How
dare you-what is the meaning"
81 just called" announced the vlsi-
tor, ito ask for the hand Of your
daughter In marriage"
"PreposterOus !" Numbered Mr.. Har-
rows. II told her 1t could newer be.
I'll find husband for her, one who
has brains, one who can-"
zone who can play cribbage, per-
haps," interrupted the young man with
a quiet smile. 81 presume that takes
brains" He nodded toward the crib
bage board which Mr.. Harrows had
been using to emphasize his remarks.
"Yes. one who can play cribbage"
the latter blazed defiantly. maybe
you think the game doesn't require
any brains, but l tell you it does. I'll
bet you don't know thing about
cribbage, and you never could learn
not In thousand years.
II know a little about It," the in
truder replied. still smiling. perhaps
If we should play a game we could
argue better afterward."
This made Mr.. Harrows smile.
ats ridiculous" he said, "but maybe
1t would serve as a good opportunity
to teach you your place. Come on,
We'll play-just once"
They played, and by some amazing
fluke-the visitor won.
"a big accident" growled the host.
as he shuffled the cards. "We had
better try 1t again"
The visitor seemed reluctant.
"You said one game only" he be-
gan.
"Come on" urged Mr.. Harrows.
Don't be afraid. Maybe you'd like
to bet something on it,
The others eyes narrowed, and he
leaned forward and tapped the table
with his fingers.
"Pll tell you what I'll do" he said
quietly. "I'll play you series Of
three for regular stakes. If you win
the series I'll agree never to call on
your daughter again, and If I am the
victor you are TO agree that I can
marry Esther"
Mr.. Harrows' face grew red again.
"Oh, all right" he said, with
smile Of pity. "It's an easy way out
for me. Wen play the series-not
counting that first game"
Out In the library Esther held
book before her and tried to make
herself believe she was reading, but
one foot beat a nervous tattoo on the
floor She listened for sound from
the den, but all appeared quiet.
After hours, II seemed, there was a
sound of chairs scraping over the floor
In the den, and the door was opened.
Out stalked her father. smile on his
face, but not smile Of triumph. Be-
hind him appeared Earl.
"Es," said her father. 81 give up
He won the series by a measly two
points-a fifteen-two. He just con-
fessed, though, that he's the state.
champion, and I don't feel so bad. ]
guess, after all, 1t isn't such a bad
plan to have some one around the
house who can make II interesting"