Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-11-08

sumed his place at the window, leaving
me prey to agonizing thoughts.
Prior in my room with his ratty little
eyes taking in the details, gloating over
the evidences of my poverty to be
worked up into lurid tale to amuse
the club.
1 could fancy him sitting on the card
table with the fellows lounging about
him, roaring over that cheeky beggar
Sans Idee.
Had l not made one in many such
party, enjoying the expose of some
other man?
| shuddered as my glance fell on my
clothes lying over a chair, noting the
ludicrous contrast between my English
morning coat and the coarse flannel
shirt, with stiff collar and cuffs pinned
on; enameled leather CATERS, and tat
tered socks-they'd make good points
for Tommy's yarn. Also the hot, dus-
ty, unkept room with fragments of
breakfast among the hair brushes, etc.
knew he'd do justice to every trife.
He was not the man to let good feeling
deprive him of good story at the ex-
pense of his own grandmother, much
less man proved guilty OF the crime of
poverty.
This was the end of my year of lying!
well, " REFLECTED bitterly, lit serves me
right" knew the game was not worth
the candle all the while | was sacrific-
ing self-respect and comfort to win the
liberation of set of tlippant snobs
who would now show ME the shortcut
to Coventry as soon as the story got
round.
Society can bear many things from a
handsome young man, such as gam
bling, drinking, or running off with
other mems wives-these are amiable
weaknesses rising from good blood and
high spirits-but poverty is the one I'M
pardonable sin, and thus l knew my
day was done.
Two weeks later | reappeared in So
ciety at "large and late" at Mrs.
Whirligig's. Not feeling up to dane
ing; conscious, moreover, of a decided
freshness in my hostess manner and
the atmosphere generally, retired to
the conservatory and sat down behind
pyramid of palms to discuss my fu-
ture. Should | take up TOMS offer, or
here heard voices approaching my
retreat and saw through the leaves Tom
my Prior escortin Pussy Blacksmith
and Miss Van Dyke to seat on the
other side of my retreat.
Pussy, as usual, was gorgeous in a
Sandwich Island combination of garnet
and amber, her hair screwed into pile
of pretzels, diamond necklace, and
shoulder-straps apologizing for absence
of dress-waist; offering fine contrast
to Miss Van Dyke, blonde and refined,
in simple white gown, which, though
giving suggestions of dazzling neck
and arms, left something to the imagi-
nation.
Drive on. Mr.. Prior" said the viva
cious Pussy, fitting her chair and COM
Portable crossing her feet. Tell Edith
what you told me.
We'll" drawled Tommy, ..he hit his
head, you know, became insensible, and
we had to hunt in his pockets to find
his address. Found it on bill for SIC.
Four weeks lodging due. Cad!
don't wonder he kept SO close. Used to
talk about his chambers, YOU know!
Pretty good that, eh! Miss Pussy?'
II believe you," returned Pussy;
"and fancy, Edith, it was way over
near Ninth avenue in Twenty-third
street, and his collar and cuffs were
sewed on gray flannel shirt, there
was coffee-pot on the gas, holes in his
socks, potted ham in powder-box,
and-and-O shall die! it's SO fun
ny!" she cried. bursting into a peal of
laughter, slapping her knee
Funny I'd like to have wrung her
neck.
''Yaas, amt it." sand Tommy, sym
pathetically. ''But, as told the fell
lows, the cream of the joke was to see
our precious and only Sans Idee lying
in that dirty little fourth-story hole, raw
ing about some pawnbroker who must
lend him $40 on his watch SO he could
send flowers to some girl. Wonder who
she could have heen?"
Don't know, I'm sure" said Pussy,
giving him wink; 'can't imagine"
''And as | came down." resumed
Tommy, ''the landlady wanted to know
who'd pay her little bill if he died. All!
it was rich"
Friendly little beast Tommy, wasn't
hep
well, guess he'll find things cool,
so to speak," remarked Pussy. Il
know he will round me for one. / like
his cheek. calling round on us girls as
though he was a gentleman. Society
ought to make an example of him.
"Why, pray?" inquired Miss Van
Dyke. HE did not pretend to be
millionaire, and certainly is a clever,
well-bred man of a most distinguished
family"
20, bother his family'' retorted Pus-
sy. "Who cares for family besides a
lot of old frumps who call for blood, as