Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-02-17


TIIE SHORE FROM THE SEA
shore, from the sea. and watched and trans
ferred the changing phases of Nature in sun
shine and in storm. They were fortunate
enough to see one magnificent tempest, bv
which the ocean was dashed into fury. break
ing in thunder over the rugged coast-Iine.
Miss Norcross' tire at was carried into exe-
cution; the family came to the hotel, and.
for week Oakhurst and his friend were
most devoted in their attentions. Irene was
charmed with the sketches, and, with tact
as delicate as it is rare, gave them time for
their cherished pursuits, and planned excur-
sions only for their unemployed hours.
They collected colored moses, star-fish, and
other marine curiosities; they sailed fished,
scampered the rocks, drove over the beach
at twilight, sang, danced, and bowled And
when weary OF active amusement, they re-
cllned on the grass and listened to the mel
ancholy rote of the seattle steady pulsa-
tons of its mighty heart
Palette, with his usual raillery, congratu-
lated his friend on his prospects, and declar-
ed that the pupil was surprising the teacher
in the beau's arts.
"Finely, Oakhurstl You are just coming to
the interesting part of the process. You are
little flushed, however-not quite cool
enough. A willy adversary she is; if you
allow your feelings to run away with you,
it's all up. She will hold the reins as coolly
as you held your trotting pony yesterday.
Keep the bits out of your mouth, my boy. -
Don't trouble yourself. L shall keep cool.
l am not going to make fool of myself by
proposing"
"Oh, you aren't? We shall see. But she'll
refuse you, and then you'll come to your
senses"
am deuecedly afraid she would accept
me-
"The vanity of mankind! DON'T tell ME
that women are vain. Every man thinks
himself irresistible-that he has only to call.
to have the women come round him like colts
around a farmer with measure of corn.
Shake the kernels in your dish, and cry.
'Kerjockr Perhaps she will come"
Il suppose you think, with Hosea Bigelow,
that
''Ta'n't a KNOWN kind o. cattle
That Is ketched with mouldy corn"
IL needn't tell you that Irene Norcross is
knowing-too knowing to let an enthusiastic
lover relapse into humdrum husband. You
amuse her now; for she likes to enjoy poetry
and sentiment, dances, rides, and rambles, in
company with a man of fresh susceptibilities
"A good phrase that, fresh susceptibiities.
The instant you become serious and ask her
to marry you, the dream is over; she will
hate you.n
well, what is to become of a lady like this
"a creature you think too bright, if not too
good, for human natures daily fooda"
IAN easy prophecy. The destiny of a
pretty woman is to catch lovers"
"'Ihe cat doth play, and after slay,'" said
Oakhurst, laughing.
PLAY while you can, my dear boy; if she
is a cat, you'll get the final coup soon enough.
To finish the fortune telling, she will continue
her present delightful pursuits as long as
youth and beauty last; and the beauty will
last long time after the youth has gone.
She may pick up some young man of fortune
and marry him; but it is not likely; the rich
always marry the rich. Just this side of the
blase period, while still in the fullness of her
charms, she will open her battery of smiles
upon some wealthy old widower and compel
him to place her at the head of his establish
ment Then with secure position and in
creased facilities, she will draw new throngs
of admirers, as long as she has power to fas-
cinate, or until there are no more fools left. y
"a pleasing picture of domestic felicity for
the husband"
Precisely what he deserves. When an o.
fool marries a young flirt, he deserves to
wear whatever honors she may bestow upon
him"
ado you remember how artfully you per-
suaded me into this intimacy? And now you
are making game of me for following your
own suggestions"
"Me? 1 never suggest; 1 never persuade "
'You did, you crafty old fox! You advised
me to fall in love with herr
"Did 1? Well Think now you have gone
far enough A sip from the cup of enchant-
ment is quite sufficient; you needn't swallow
the whole of it."
"But people can't always control them
selves. Can't you trust yourself to stop
this side of insensibility, when you take
ether? or be sure you won't get drunk, if you
commence the evening with party of dissi-
pated fellowsa'
"That will do, my friend. | know there
are people who are fond of confessing their
weakness; don't you do it. Where is the su-
premacy of mind and will, and all that nom
sense, if man can't amuse himself with a
clever woman's articles without tumbling
into the snare he is watching.
"We'H see how You succeed with the charm
ing widow,-whether the wise man, when his
own jecur is pierced with the arrow, may not
show it, as well as other people. And blythe
for your experiment. Irene and l are GO
ing to take sail this afternoon, and you
can entertain Mrs. Norcross while we are
gone
Palette softly whistled.