Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-11-22
Marion DGlOln5
THE WORTH OF WIT.
By J. W. WATSON,
Author Of Hold Fast and Ketcham," Bank
ers and Brokers'" Etc, Etc.
CHAPTER Iv-Continued

you know, Jimmy, we mustn't
Walk there, you know, it won't do. Aw. |
can walk away, You see, and nobody toss
know" eo'e ""
Jimmy admitted it would be the thing.
and so when they had discussed a fruoal
meal, drank a pint bottle of champagne.
just to unhitch their tongues, they sent for
carnage, giving the boy instructions to
PICK out the newest and most stylish. and
not to forget to see that the driver was in
livery SO as to appear as much as possible
IKE private affair." which, being complied
WITH they betook themselves to the man
sion of Mrs. Dufrom, where, being ex-
pectod, they We're shown directly to the
noudoir OF that lady, and were received by
ner with the most ELUSIVE politeness, she
shaking hands with Mr.. Marks rs though
she had not seen hiri for year. and hard
~ wished to release his hand while he in
troduced Fitz to Miss Delorme.
The bow of Fitz was one of such Won
drous gymnastic skill. and the expression
OF his face of such astonishing originality,
tnat even Jimmy. who was thoroughly ac-
customed to all the dudish eccentricities
performed by every grade of the animal.
was taken aback Fitz took the center of
the room, drew back his left foot about
eighteen inches, wriggled his body from
the hips upward-he could not wriggle it
from the hips downward-held his arms
out at a curve, as if he had just dipped his
hands IN something nasty. and was hold
ms, them out to dry, gave his head a
snake, shut his eyes, opened his mouth,
gave q convulsive gasp, grin that he had
rehearsed hundred times before the look
lng-gass "a grin that, if he could
have been petrified with it, would have
made him more remunerative object Of
exhibition than the Cardiff giant Or the
original Jumbo. Then he drew his left foot
up to meet his right and stood bolt upright
Marion gazed upon him with feeling al
most of awe; she was too much astonished
to laugh, and too much interested to do
anything to interrupt the performance.
"Ap! delighted, Pm su-ar, Miss De-
tormc. It's happiness I haudly hoped
for. Aw! don't y0u see"
Sit down. Mr.. Smith," said Marion, in
matter offact tone, with one of her
sweetest smiles, which simply rayished
Fitz, and caused him to totter around tho
room aimlessly, MS if looking for chair.
Allow me to offer you chair. It's a
very low one. but much more comfortable
than those that are higher"
Fitz was too much crushed to think of
the consequences of sitting in the low
AiouSH cAuii nldllOA puSLeu toward MIN.
He did not for a moment as he stared at
her and fairly gobbled in her beauty, think
of the tightness of his pantaloons, and sat
down. For an instant it was a question as
to which was to give way, the pants, or his
feet, but the latter won. They flew from
under him into the air, and he came into
| the recesses Of the cushion springed chair
with a bounce that came within an inch of
sending him off sprawling on to the floor.
Avn was his involuntary exclamation,
while Marion, who stood behind him, held
her handkerchief to her mouth to sup
press her threatened laughter, and Fitz,
with his hands on the arms of the chair,
| got himself into position and said, DE
| lightful evening, Miss Delorme Aw!"
Beautiful" answered Marion, though
she knew it was not beautiful evening";
on thu contrary, it was cold. raw, and dis
| greeable, nevertheless she felt it necessary
to agree with Fitz.
Fine weather." murmured Fitz, strug-
Cling to get his feet properly placed on the
floor and recover what mental equilibrium
he was possessed Of Jaw! hope it'll be
good weather to- MOWER"
Il hope it will, I'm sure" responded
Marion, "as I've got to go out in it any
how"
"Awl must be dweadful, Miss Delorme
to 60 out in the weather whether you want
to or not, don't you see.
There was one thing that Miss Delorme
did not see, and that was if Fitz meant
what he had said about the weather as a
pun or not 1t was matter of importance,
because, if Fitz was smart enough to get
off pun, he must be possessed of some
wit, which she did not suspect him of. She
looked at him with smile, ready to laugh
at the sally, but there was no response in
his face. 1t was accidental and SO she
dropped back to his own standard.
II never feel it so, Mr.. Smith" she said
i have gone through it every day for four
| years, except during my vacations, and
have always enjoyed it. may say. though
Of course, I'd rather see fine weather
Fo-er years." exclaimed Fritz, with a
forgetful half-yawn. It's vewy long
time, Miss Delorme."
ut has passed very quickly with me,
sir. have been SO busy that / have had
no time to think Of its being tedious"
-Aw! Ya-as; you see, you have to earn
your own living"
aTm proud to say that do. Mr.. Smith, !"
and Marion's eyes sparkled with her words
"Never earned my living, aw, Miss De-
lorme, Not necessarily, you know. Nav
wouldn't let me, you see.
I'm sorry to hear it, sir. There's moth
Ing that so ennobles one as work. l was
obliged to work when / left school, the
only relative upon whom had any claim
not being able to support me, and / would
not have allowed him to do SO if he had
been.
sHowwible" CALCULATED Fitz, though
what was horrible, the fact of her having
to earn her own living or her not allowing
her relative to do it for her, was not per-
ceptible. I've got sister. you know. Miss
Delorme, but she dont earn her own liv-
ing. If she did, don't pawsitively know
what I'd do. ! think I'd wun away from
New York and go in the country"
They have to work in the country, Mr.
Smith, said Marion. not restraining her
laughter, though she knew Fitz was not
joking
40 they? / never work when I'm in
the country. I thought it was only the
country people that worked. always lay
on the gwass and vead novels, and go to
sleep.
IT must be terribly monotonous for you.
Now when 60 into the country during va
cation, work harder than do in the city.
run. and romp, go into the woods, row in
boat, ride horseback, and even climb a
fruit tree, il / can find one to climb
The ff3aa ~ Miss Dalorrna clivnbino n