The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-05-22
BEAUTY'SSECRET
By ALAN MUIR.
CONTINUED J
CHAPTER III.
A PRETTY WOMAN AND 4 Foot.

CHAPTER Ill
PRETTY WOMAN AND a Fool.
Fate decreed that just at this time Caroline
and Sybil should each get lover. An Ell
derby couple of good family and fortune, boo
little by NAME lived in the neighborhood;
and these having but one child, a son, who
would inherit a large estate decided to give
him a profession that he might escape the
dangers of an unemployed youth. lie was
sent into the army, and was at present upon
leave
Egerton pooiittlc was a tall young man.
slim, with light hair and 4 lisping speech
His attractions. if he hai any, were neither
Of bod , nor of mind; for as to the body he
WIS feeble in gait, with long legs Of made
nYate thickness. and he was destitute Of eye
brows The utmost assiduity also failed to
bring out a mustarhe, although he used ca
pllary fluids of appalling strength, rightly
Judging that for a man with military career
before him a certain amount of hair on the
face is as essential as un'Co:m On sword,
His mind was OF Smiial ryittern-weak, IT.
lining and inane; in a word, he had draw n
the line between sanity and imbeciity with a
most l,affiing nicely He walked with his
head little on one side, dressed i'll the top of
the fashion, wore as many different suits as
there are hours in the day, lost money mildly
at cards and came 10 church regularly every
Sunday morning, saying his prayers out of a
book the size of a siXpence. He had credit
able desire to READ only snch publications as
were likely to improve his mind, and he al
WAYS inquired if work was erroneous or
not, saying that he was afraid lest he might
be led into the perusal of something erroneous,
and might never find it out He admired
women and adored oleverneSs, frankly con
Tossing that he had none of his own and
thought it such a useful thing, you know.
Indeed, he might have set for the immortal
Mr. Toots, with whom he had SO much in com
mon that | fear readers may think Egerton
Doolittle only a study of that great prince of
noodles. But Egerton is a man by himself,
in spite of a resemblance which fairly sug
gests that he is no more than reflection.
He met Car Temple at ball and danced
with her, and the young lady, true to herself,
Inquired, in one of the pauses of the dance, il
he had read Allison's History of Europe
Doolittle, whose weakness was not historical
study, was able, with tolerahle readiness, to
assure her that he had not He then sank
into silence, that this part of tho conversation
might settle into his mind Presently he in.
guired:
big work.
very big" she answered
More than one volume'" he asked, re-
solved not to let the talk flag
"One volumes replied Caroline "A dozen,
| daresay."
"A dozenw exclaimed Doolittle He was
so overwhelmed by this statement that he
| did not alter a muscle Of his face nor emit q
syllable for full five minutes Then be
began again:
You haven't read it, have you"
"Oh, dear, yes" Caroline replied, with the
confidence of a practised student
"The whole dozen volumes" inquired
Doolittle, who could scarcely believe hi,
ears.
1.-THE whole dozen volumes" Caroline an
swered, repeating his words with a not un
graceful playfulness.
Then you must be a tremendously clever
girl y he said gazing at her with profound
admiration and awe.
"Clever, because ] have read twelve vol
umesH cried Caroline who had a sprightly
wit. Il shall read twelve hundred, and Sc,
| what you say then"
No." Egerton said, gravely; "you win moi
read twelve hundred volumes, am sure"
Egerton meditated for another few minutes
Then he asked:
as 1t an erroneous work."
Thoroughly" Car replied, with decision
| She was Radical
| Don't you think it dangerous to read
erroneous works.
Don't know" Car answered "Not very.
She tossed her head with a mixture of laugh
ter and light scorn.
1f were to read twelve volumes Of al
erroneous work | should he quite upset.
Egerton said, as if he were talking of lobste
salad Upset for weeks But You are trenen
do,isly strong and you know tin mind,
mean"
| arss.-l@A