Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-06-16
4 LITTLE GOLD OWL.


Frenchman understands best the art of
talking love, the Italian of acting it,
but the German rocks it to sleep, while
the Pole ruins it all
"And the Americana" pleaded a mu
steal voice in the ear of the first speaker.
The lady made no immediate reply.
The pair stood in the wings of a tiny
amature theater in one of our large
cities, and the drama of Matrimony, in
which they had acted, was over. Both
were artists in the intense sentiment
of excitement which stlrs the ripples of
private life when theatricals and cha
rades become the fashion. Augusta
Bevan, tall, slender and proud, had re-
sumed her velvet walking dress, and
toyed with tiny muf of pink satin
which was suspended about her neck
by means of a ribbon. Captin Hornblow-
er, easy, graceful and elegant, bent over
her in attitude of devotion which he
had assumed with facility of a glove
for the past fifteen years in the ball
rooms.of West Point, Saratoga and New
port
Your muff seems to be a sort of
fairy casket," pursued Captain Horn
blower "Give me a keepsake from
one of the pockets, l beg, in remem-
berance of the night"
"What shall it be?" retorted Augusta
Bevan gayly. .
She sought in the tiny pockets of per-
fumed and quilted satin, and drew forth
a glittering object. This was a little
gold owl, beautifully wrought, with
ruby eyes and jeweled claws. When a
spring was touched, q slender pencil
case Slid out of the birds head
"Here is my gift, " she said, gently,
and the gallant captain understood that
her words meant capitulation.
Was he glad or sorry? He received
the little gold owl with ELUSIVE graft
tude, and kissed the hand which be-
slowed the gift but it. was in the ma
ture of this military h,stterAy to doubt,
at the moment, if he had acted with
unwise precipitation, if he had not sold
himself too cheaply in the matrimonial
market, and if Augusta Beyan was as
great an heiress as she was reputed to
| be.
"My children, remember the Scotch
proverb, Those who fish for minnows
never catch trout" said Mr.. Riddel,
| behind them.
Mr.. Riddel, who invariably enacted
the part of benevolent old man, prof
fered his snuff-box to Captain Horn
blower with his quizzical smile.
Owe are called out again !" eXclaim-
ed Mrs Trentham.
There was a patter of applause, and
the four emerged before the foot-lghts,
making their salutatiOns in the most
approved professional manner. On
the stage stood Mrs Trentham in SUI
perb toilet, Augusta Bevan, Captain
Hornblower, and Mr.. Riddel. Beyond
the circle of foot-ights was fashion
able audience, were blended satin, gold
feathers and lace resembled a parterre
of flowers, while the little theatre, built
for Mrs. Trentham, made II charming
background for smiling faces. Ger
tainly the two actresses looked their
best, for Captain Hornblower, deeply
versed in such craft, had made up then
stage complexion, with the aid of rouge
and other cosmetics, moist purple
wcrsted furnishing the requisite sha.
dows beneath the eyes.
Said Mr.. Riddle, as he conducted
get my proverb, Augusta ?-Tliose
who fish for minnows never catch
trout"
The girl glanced askance at him anG
frowned Mr.. Riddle, Invested of gray
wig and paternal bearing, was a digni
fled gentleman Of forty years, a lawyer
and manager of the great Bevan. prop
erty.
'EYou have always warned me of for
tune-hunters, she exclaimed, petulant
ly. as woman never to believe ii
any one because she is rich?'
Mr.. Riddle remained silent, but The
blood mounted to her brow.
Said Mrs. Trentham to Captain
Hornblower, at a little supper table IL
fashionable restaurant: "AugustG
Bevan really did very we'll tonight fol
a novice, except in the awkwardness o
her attitudes, Allow me to look at the
little gold owl she gave you behind the
|. scenes. All | saw it all. A manager
must be everywhere you know"
Very piquant looked Mrs. .Trenthan
as she spoke, cOquette OF as many sea
sons as her companion had posed TO
beau, an arch sparkle in her eyes, NOR,
than suspicion of malice in he
smile; for to see any man admire an
other woman pierced her vanity, if no
her heart and she could not rest unit
she had lITed him away from his al
legiance, or at least sown mischief il
the path of possible lovers. Yet Mrs
Trentham was most popular psrsel
and an acknowledged leader of society
Captain Hornblower resisted: but til
, enchantress was adroit, witty, fiatte1
ing, and the supper good, and in tn
end he yielded. The lady attached tn
little gold owl to her watch chain, an
+ emerged into the street at o'clock i
the morning. When she reached he
home the little gold owl was gone
She had lost it during the walk
Next day Mrs. Trentham sailed up t
Augusta Bevan at crowded kettle
/ drum, took both her hands and e.
!. claimed: 'Oh, my dear, I'm so dreac
fully sorry! | am always comn1itin
: some folly. [ do not deserve forgive
ness. Captain Hornblower gave me-
\ I mean lent me-your little gold ov
/ last night, and | actually lost it in tn
/ street."
The Sevres teacup fell from Augusta
/ fingers on the floor. Mr.. Riddle an
| Captain Hornblower stopped for tn
i fragments simultaneously, thus knocl
/ ing their heads together.
i "She is disillusioned, thought NJ
/ Riddel.