Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-09-04
A FLAT PROCEEDING.

He had taken fat and was going to
marry Margery. So he vowed most
sOlemnly, while he planned aesthetic nov
elites with all the courage Of a hopeful
swain. Painters and decorators were in
despair over the originality and vigor Of
his whims, while upholsters ran franti-
eally east and west IN the vain endeavOr
to match antique brocades or to harmon
ize extraordinary rugs and curtains. No
market could furnish colOrs rare enough
to satisfy Mr.. Dawes fastidious taste.
He was compelled, IN spite OF his playful
fancy and love Of eccentric combinations,
to put mp with things almost ordinary
and incomplete.
Mr.. Russell Dave wrote plays-unsuc-
cessfully, Of course. The lady with the
trumphet had not yet blown blast over
his head. He had, however, great hopes
and vast confidence in his own powers.
These are not unusual manifestations IN
this department of letters. Hitherto his
most ardOrOus efforts had received not the
smallest reward, and his golden argosies
Of wit and pathos had either been sucked
into the cruel >. birlpOOl OF a managers
wastepaper basket, or had been stranded
at the point OF departure by a pOstman.
Mr.. Dave had, however, eOntrived to
gubsist-I dare not say live, for he had
wide notions Of living-On his private
income, fixed though small, and the
principal thereof beyond his power of
grasp. Now, however, on the strength
of his love and the impetus it had given
to his music, he was about to embark on
the PerilOus deeps OF matrimOny. Hav-
ing in hand rather more than enough
money to pay a quarters rent OF his
residential bat, he started OF gaily at q
canter. One purchase quickly led to
another and the useful to the extravagant
and ornamental, till finally he had fit
tings replete and beautiful throughout
his abode. Nevertheless he caviled with
a lordly air at various traffics, complain
ing Of imperfect work and Inaccurate de-
tails. For the time being he gave no
thought to the cost Of his orders, and il
was meet that his Margery's shrine
should be perfect and lovely. He had
no doubt he would be half way up the
ladder of fame by the time bills were
presented. He only needed the spur Of
duty, and complacently attributed hi.
many failures to his too cary line of life
At the present time elaborate plots, in
simmered IN his brain. Such material
would not take long to shape into ele
giant drawing plays and spirited
comedies. Giving the piece Of domesh
city and the blessings Of Margery's daily
smiles, and dramas would take attractiv,
forms and distinguish him highly witt
nanagers' orders and patronage. During
his courtshiP this imaginative gentleman
never ceased to blow the rOseate bubble
othope.
The mansions on which Mr.. Russell
Dawes choice had fallen were situateC
IN the vicinity OF Earrs Court. This re
mote region was fixed upon for a varie
tv of reasons. In the first place, nOis,
was utterly unsuited to his occupation
and sensational organization. An abun
dance OF fresh air was also a necessity
to one Of his craft. Therefore he anC
his Margery must live on the top story
There were well on to a hundred steps
and no elevator, but that was not to b
considered in the light Of a drawback
In fact this young man stOutiy main
tanned that these were a great gain for
man addicted to sedentary pursuits, anC
compelled IN this way to take necessary
exercise. AS for Margery, If she cam
home tired, he would carry her up. Il
the @ enthusiasm Of love Mr.. Dave over
looked the fact that his lady love weighed
over ten stones and stood five feet sever
in her stockings
Miss Margery AeKilhgin was young
lady Of no mean ability and great deter
nination even before, she accomplished
her resolve to many the poorest Of he
many lovers. She was sweet and TWEEN
ty-at this time, and the heiress to ESQ
year at her next birthday. This modes
fortune, the legacy Of her aunt, was al
her own, and on the strength OF It sh
was going to carry on housekeeping
Having lived most OF her time IN field
OF clover-otherwise indisputable luXu
ry-Afiss Margery contemplated pic
mic existence high up alOft and free from
parental restrictions as little short O
Elysium. It must be admitted, as
take-of to clover fields, that papa Nc
KlEgan was a fiery old gentleman, ad
dicted to domineering. The young LADY
marriage would lift her into sphere o
Independence and imiOrmahty which ap
peared to her most delightful.
Miss Margery was thoroughly I'm bue'
with high art crazes and lOathed the sol.
mahogany, crimson damasks and undeni
able respectability OF her Lancaster Sat
surroundings. She ysarned to dip her
self into bohemian dyes, and to nd
billion on the meanest Pegasus.
AN her admirers had hitherto beei
rising young city men, with no souls 70
furniture, eyes blind TO harmonies o
color, and ears deaf to repartee- lie