The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-10-28
make up. Much obliged Good morn
-.


ing. Door, Bllyr'
This pleasant send-off decided me. l
would propose to Pussy in the evening.
n-and felt little doubt on that head
if she accepted me goodl Her father
should pay the usual price for we'll
born son-in-law. If not. I'd cut the
whole thing and join my cousin Tom on
his Colorado ranch, as he so often
urged.
Come and live mans life out
here" he wrote. in his breezy western
way. Don't fool away your best
years dangling after a lot OF snobs,
who'd drop you like an adder if they
knew tine state of your finances. I'll
find the cash and you the brains if they
haven't melted away IN hot bathrooms.
You used to be a good fellow two years
ago. Join me. and I'll make you rich
one as well"
perhaps I'd better 90 anyway" NUT
tered. turning in at the office. 81 don't
seem to fancy being Pussy Blacke-
Smiths husband"
1t happened to he the day that Tom
my Prior. most egregious little cad,
son of the firm, set up lunch at Del
monico's to celebrate his triumph at
Sheepshead Bay the day before
Poor Tommy, he was always running
about tipping jockeys, who filled him full
as paper of pins with points" took his
money, laughed at his simplicity, and
groaned with him over his failures.
This time, however, success was his,
everybody was good fellow. and he
gave us q lunch that swallowed his
winning three times over, though there
was only four of us, Tommy and ],
Charley Davis, and Coleman jackson,
an immensely popular man, though he
was rather quiet, and acted as a sort of
check on US at all times.
The lunch was the usual thing-the
same expensive wines and delicacies
forced out of season; the same delicate
trifling with our friends characters and
peculiarities, slightly repressed by Jack
sons keen gray eyes fixed on the speak
er.
We were all very jolly, 1 particularly
so. Not being the hero of a novel, 1
had no presentiment of evil, no subtle
warning of my downfall. was wildly,
hilariously gay, SO much so that Tommy
observed as we we're sauntering back to
the office that if I'd not stuck so persist
emily to Rhine wine and seltzer he'd
call it wine; as it was, perhaps he'd bet
ter say woman she's consented, l
betr' he cried, smiling an engagement
near by.
(Which shall l congratulate first, Old
Blacke-Smith's check-book, Miss Pussy,
or you, Sans 1dee?"
Neither" l said, turning sharply to
end his nonsense. ''You are mistaken
-" When my foot slipped on Il bit
of banana skin. i saw jackson grasp
at my arm, fell. striking my head on
the curb, and knew no more.
When l came dizzily back to my
senses | was in my own miserable
room, with Jackson sitting by the win
dow reading. He rose as stirred, put
fresh ice on my throbbing head, gave
me medicine, shook up the pillows, and
made me comfortable with the deftness
Of woman, refusing to answer my few
erish questions further than by saying
l had had slight conclusion of the
brain, ne and Prior had brought me
home, and the doctor forbade all talk
ing; then With CHEEKY smile he re-
sumed his place at the window, leaving
me prey TO agonizing thoughts.
Prior in my room with his rattv little
eyes taking in the details, gloating over
the evidences of my poverty to be
worked up into lurid tale to amuse
the club.
could fancy him sitting on the card
table with the fellows lounging about
him, roaring over that cheeky beggar
Sans ldee.
Had l not made one in many such a
party, enjoying the expose of some
other man?
shuddered as my glance fell on my
clothes lying over 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 trifle.
He was not the man to let good feeling
deprive him of good story at the ex-
pense of his own grandmother. much
less a man proved guilty of the crime of
poverty.
This was the end of my year of lying!
"Well." reflected bitterly, lit serves me
right" Iknew the game was not worth
the candle all the while was sacrific-
ing self-respect and comfort to win the
federation of a set of flippant 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
1i0h 10
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 l reappeared in So
ciety at a ''large and late" at Mrs.
Whirligig's Not feeling up to dane
ing; conscious, moreover, of decided
frostiness in my hostess manner and
the atmosphere generally. retired to
the conservatory and sat down behind
a 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 escorting Pussy Blacksmith
and Miss Van Dyke to a seat on the
other side of my retreat.
IuSSN, as usual, was gorgeous III d
Sandwich Island combination of garnet
and amber. her hair screwed into 4 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-"
WELL" 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 Il bill for SIC.
Four weeks lodging due. Gndi
don't wonder he kept so close. Used to
talk about his chambers. you know!
/ Pretty good that, eh! Miss Pussy?"
I Il believe you." returned Pussy;
: land 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