Big Poker Site hazard of new fortunes 57

Where a girl doesnt seem very strong, like Miss Leighton, no amount of chic is going to help." His wife disputed him on behalf of her sex, as women always do. "No, Dolly," he persisted; "shed better be home milking the cows and leading the horse to water." "Do you think shed better be up till two in the morning at balls and going all day to receptions and luncheons?" "Oh, guess it isnt a question of that, even if she werent drawing. You knew them at home," he said to Beaton. "Yes." "I remember. Her mother said you suggested me. Well, the girl has some notion of it; theres no doubt about that. But--shes a woman. The trouble with these talented girls is that theyre all woman. If they werent, there wouldnt be much chance for the men, Beaton. But weve got Providence on our own side from the start. Im able to watch all their inspirations with perfect composure. I know just how soon its going to end in nervous breakdown. Somebody ought to marry them all and put them out of their misery." "And what will you do with your students who are married already?" his wife said. She felt that she had let him go on long enough. "Oh, they ought to get divorced." "You ought to be ashamed to take their money if thats what you think of them." "My dear, I have a wife to support." Beaton intervened with a question. "Do you mean that Miss Leighton isnt standing it very well?" "How do I know? She isnt the kind that bends; shes the kind that breaks." After a little silence Mrs. Wetmore asked, "Wont you come home with us, Mr. Beaton?" "Thank you; no. I have an engagement." "I dont see why that should prevent you," said Wetmore. "But you always were a punctilious cuss. Well!" Beaton lingered over his cigar; but no one else whom he knew came in, and he yielded to the threefold impulse of conscience, of curiosity, of inclination, in going to call at the Leightons. He asked for the ladies, and the maid showed him into the parlor, where he found Mrs. Leighton and Miss Woodburn. The widow met him with a welcome neatly marked by resentment; she meant him to feel that his not coming sooner had been noticed. Miss Woodburn bubbled and gurgled on, and did what she could to mitigate his punishment, but she did not feel authorized to stay it, till Mrs. Leighton, by studied avoidance of her daughters name, obliged Beaton to ask for her. Then Miss Woodburn caught up her work, and said, "Ahll go and tell her, Mrs. Leighton." At the top of the stairs she found Alma, and Alma tried to make it seem as if she had not been standing there. "Mah goodness, chald! theres the handsomest young man asking for you down there you evah saw. Alh told you mothah Ah would come up fo you." "What--who is it?" "Dont you know? But bo could you? Hes got the most beautiful eyes, and he weas his hai in a bang, and he talks English like it was something else, and his names Mr. Beaton." "Did he-ask for me?" said Alma, with a dreamy tone. She put her hand on the stairs rail, and a little shiver ran over her. "Didnt I tell you? Of coase he did! And you ought to go raght down if you want to save the poo fellahs lahfe; you mothahs just freezin him to death." V. "She is?" cried Alma. "Tchk!" She flew downstairs, and flitted swiftly into the room, and fluttered up to Beaton, and gave him a crushing hand-shake. "How very kind, of you to come and see us, Mr. Beaton! When did you come to New York? Dont you find it warm here? Weve only just lighted the furnace, but with this mild weather it seems too early. Mamma does keep it so hot!" She rushed about opening doors and shutting registers, and then came back and sat facing him from the sofa with a mask of radiant cordiality. "How have you been since we saw you?" "Very well," said Beaton. "I hope youre well, Miss Leighton?" "Oh, perfectly! I think New York agrees with us both wonderfully. I never knew such air. And to think of our not having snow yet! I should think everybody would want to come here! Why dont you come, Mr. Beaton?" Beaton lifted his eyes and looked at her. "I--I live in New York," he faltered. "In New York City!" she exclaimed. "Surely, Alma," said her mother, "you

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