Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-09-22
manager of the Mathews store, and

manager of the Mathews store, and
n
"That's enough" interrupted her
father. According to my ideas he
hasn't any brains, and that settles it.
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 a three-game
series on his way to lodge. Sidney
came with blood In his eye, hungering
for revenge, but when he left an hour
later he was a sadder and a 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 a 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 visi-
tor, Ito ask for the hand of your
| daughter in marriage"
"PreposterOus !" Numbered Mr.. Har-
rows. 81 told her 1t could never be.
I'll find a husband for her, one who
has brains, one who can-"
zone who can play cribbage, per-
haps," interrupted the young man with
quiet smile. II presume that takes
brains" He nodded toward the crib
bage board which Mr.. Harrows had
been using to emphasize his remarks.
Eyes, one who can play cribbage!'
the latter blazed defiantly. Maybe
you think the game doesn't require
any brains, but tell you it does. I'll
bet you don't know a thing about
cribbage, and you never could learn
not in a'thousand years."
81 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.
"It's ridiculous" he said "but maybe
it would serve as 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 shuf1led the cards. "We had
better try it 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.
"Tll tell you what I'll do" he saiC
quietly. "Ill play you a series OF
three for regular stakes. If you wiz
the series I'll agree never to call or
your daughter again, and if I am the
victor you are to agree that l car
marry Esther"
Mr. Harrows' face grew red again
"Oh all right" he said, with s
smile Of pity. cts an easy way ou
for me. Well play the series-no
counting that first game"
Out in the library Esther held 6
book before her and tried to make
herself believe she was reading, bu
one foot beat a nervous tattoo on thu
floor. She listened for sound from
the den, but all appeared quiet.
After hours, 1t seemed, there was {
sound of chairs scraping over the foo
in the den, and the door was opened
Out stalked her father, smile on hi
face, but not smile of triumph. Be
hind him appeared Earl.
"Es," said her father, 81 give up
He won the series by measly tw,
points-a tifteen-two. He just con
fessed, though, that he's the stat
champion, and I don't feel so bad.
guess, after all, it isn't such a ba,
plan to have some one around tn
house who can make 1t interesting"