Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-11-15


do, said Jimmy. hesitatingly. aThe fact
is she's kind O backward. She don't game
into the parlor much, and she's awaS' all
day. She kind O chums with the landla &
Away all day, echoed Fitz, as though
he suspected something Then she works,
she earns her living?"
Aa-a-s, responded Jimmy, slowly, as
though he felt it an imputation ON himself.
seeing that he did the same thing. She's
cashier aud booLkeeper for Boughfem 4
Co., Broadway and Fourteenth-a first
class firm; I've sold en- goods
Oh, shop girl?' said Fitz, exultingly.
You'd better not let her or Boughtems
hear you say SO. I've heard from pretty
good authority that she gets fifteen hun
dred year, and that she has had an offer
of marriage from one of the firm"
"Aw, we'll, can you introduce me TO her?"
drawled Fitz.
Can't say | can, answered Jimmy, pull
ing away desperately ON his cigar. Fact
Is, Miss Delorme is particular. and don't
seem to make acquaintance. Asked her
once myself to go to the OPERA but she
declined to accept.
Aw. can't you manage it some way? /
can always manage things some way Ehf'
is it urgent, Fitz2' asked Marks,
thoughtfully
"Aw, ya-a-s, of course it is. Can't you
see I'm spoons on it,"
Yes; but, don't you see, that won't do
might make it a kind of n special thing
with Mrs. Dufrom, our landady, to bring
about an introduction, if it's serious, be-
cause she owes me money. but if it's only
one of your periodical melts, Fifty, amt
in it. !"
"Oh. it's serious, Jimmy said Fit,
eagerly. I'm mashed, / am, and il you'll
do the square thing, Jimmy, I'll do some
thing for you when / can. Eth, don't you
see?'
And so it was agreed between these wor-
thles that the one was to endeavor, through
Mrs. Dufrom's impecunious condition, her
Indebtedness, and future necessities, to
bring about an introduction to Marion De-
lorme, while the other was already plotting
how he was going to infatuate the young
girl with his portly form, his robust legs,
his striking face, and intellectual conversa-
ton. What conquest it would bel How
all the "fellahs" would stare when they saw
him at the theater, or on Broadway after
the matinees provided she could get off
from the shop-with such "a fine queecher.
Matrimony never once entered into Fits
head, but conquest doomed up enormously.
He could already see the lovely Delorme on
her knees at his feet, imploring his love
and protection, and he according it. Alas.
poor Fifty, type only of all thy class.
That same evening Marion Delorme was
sitting in Mrs. Dufrom's snug little private
parlor, for though Mrs. Dufrom at times
had a hard pull to get through, financially,
she never denied herself the comforts and
luxuries of her own house, with the land
lady and gentleman.
Percy said Marion, with an arch
smile, I've made conquest to- day."
You ought to do that every day, Marion, =
answered Percy.
So she ought, Mr.. Stanley" said Mrs.
Dufrom, who idolized Marion, and was
only prevented from falling desperately in
love with Stanley from the fact that she al
ready had a husband, whom nobody ever
saw, but whom she kept concealed some
where in the house. She's pretty enough
to conquer anybody, and good enough. too,
though goodness don't go for much now
a-days, Mr.. Stanley. Who was it, Marion?"
All! l was wondering whether any one
would ask me that, said Marion, laughing.
"Its a friend of Percy's.
"a friend of miner" asked Percy, inter-
ested.
Aye, my lordl Do you remember, last
Sunday, bowling to lady and gentleman
on the avenue as we came from church, and
your telling me who. they were? 1t was
that gentleman.
What! Smith, Clarry's brother?' said
Stanley, astonished.
Exactly, laughed Marion Il met him
upon the street this afternoon, and knew
him i'll moment, though he does look ex-
actly like thousand others. ] must have
looked at him. for he came instantly under
my magnetism, and followed me to the
door"
What" exclaimed Stanley, jumping to
his feet. Do you mean to say he logged
you in the street? Followedyo you home? The
puppy; I'll slap his face 4"
"No you won't, sir like his face, and
the captive of my bow and spear. He is
smitten-my instinct tells me so-deeply
smitten, and does not intend to drop me.
shall hear from him again. Tomorrow
expect to receive a pink note and bou-
quet and l charge you, Percy, upon your
love and affection, if he should happen to
find out through you who | am, and ask an
introduction, bring him to me"
"Marioni" exclaimed Stanley, half-laugh-
ing, half amazed.
You have my commands. Percy. You
have never disobeyed me yet. Don't begin
now. Aud, more than that | forbid you to
tell him who l am, except that l am Miss
Marion Delorme. Will you obey me?"
Certainly" and a mutual trio of laughs
closed the talk.