Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-11-19

He is tall man of about thirty-five.
with dark face and dark eyes, and,
withal, slight resemblance to Sir
Adrian -
"Ah. Arthur, it IS you!" says Sir Al
rian. in a surprised tone that has GER
tainly no cordially in it, but, just as
certainly, the tone is not repellent.
Yes" replies the stranger. with a
languid smile. and without confusion.
yesterday 1 suddenly recollected the
general invitation you gave me a
month ago to come to you at any time
that suited me best. This time suits
me. and so have come"
He still smiles as he says this, and
looks expectantly at Sir Adrian, who,
as in duty bound, instantly tells him
he is very glad to see him. and that he
is a good fellow to have come without
waiting for a more formal repetition of
his invitation. Then he takes him over
to old Lady FitZAlmOnt, the mother of
Lady Gertrude Eining, and introduces
him to her as my cousin Mr.. Dyne-
court"
The same ceremony is gone through
with some of the others, but. when he
brings him to Mrs. Talbot, that pretty
widow interrupts his mode of introduce
ton.
Mr.. Dynecourt and l are old
friends" she says, giving her hand to
the newcomer. Then, turning to her
cousin, she adds. Florence, is it not a
fatality our meeting him so Often?"
Have we met so Often?" asks Flor
ence quietly. but with touch of hdu-
teltr and dislike in her tone. Then she
too gives a cold little hand to Mr.. Dyne-
court, who fingers over it until she dis
dainfully draws it away, after which
he turns from her abruptly and devOtes
himself to Dora Talbot.
The widow is glad of his attentions.
He is handsome and well-bred, and for
the last half hour she has been feeling
slightly bored; so eager has been the
discussion about the NARROW matter,
that she has been little sought after by
the opposite sex. And now, once again,
the subject is being examined in all its
bearings, and the discussion wakes fast
and furious.
What is it all abOut?" asks Arthur
DynecOurt presently. glancing at the
animated group in the middle of the
room. And Sir Adrian, hearing his
question explains it to him.
"Ah, indeed" he says. And then,
after a scarcely perceptible pause
"WhO is to be Kate HardcaStle?
Miss Delmaine." answered Sir Adj
rian, who is still leaning over that
young lady'S chair.
in what does the difficulty consiSt?"
inquiries Arthur DynecOurt, with appar-
ent indifference.
well" replies Sir Adrian. laughing
Il believe mere fear holds lis back.
Miss Delmalnc, as we all know. is Il
finished actress, and we dread spelling
her performance by faults on our side.
None of us have attempted the charac-
ter before; this is why we hesitate"
"A very sensible hesitation. think"
says his cousin cOolly. You should
thank me then for coming to your re-
lief this morning; | have played the
part several times, and shall be delight
ed to undertake it again, and help you
out of your difficulty"
At this Miss Dcimaine tluShes angri-
ly, and opens her lips as if she would
say something, but, after Il seconds re-
Election, restraints herself. She sinks
back into her chair with Il proud Ian
guOr, and closes her mouth rCSolutely.
Sir Adrian is cUnfomdcd. All along
he had secretly hoped that, i'll the end,
this part would fall to his lot; but now
what is to be done? How can he re-
fuse to let his cousin take his place,
especially as he has declared himself
familiar with the part.
Arthur. observing his cousin $ hesita-
ton, laughs aloud. His is not Il pleas
ant laugh, but has rather Il Sneering
ring in it, and at the present moment
it jars upon the ears of the listeners.