Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-10-04

For Heavens sake, Douglas, don't
be hammering on that theme for ever,
or you'll drive me distractedi' St. Law
renee answered, almost angrily, shad-
ing his face with his hand, as he sat by
the table. How should 1 know? Why
don't you ask her2'
And get point-blank No for my
palms, Douglas replied, rufling up his
hair. ut is evident you don't under
stand the art of war. old fellow. Did
you ever hear of fortress being taken
by the enemy'S going up and saying,
Please let me have it?' Besides. where
would be the fun? Think what excite
ment, what a world of new sensations
one would lose. Where would be the
marchings and counter-marchings the
erecting of batteries, and directing of
field-gunS, and ali the interest of watch
ing for the first signs of breach? [
verify believe that one or the reasons
why wives occupy higher place in the
scale of society than they used to do is
because they are more difficult to win.
Formerly man could buy the woman
he wanted, or else run off with her: she
was only just like any other possession.
Now-the deuce take it!-one has to go
beating about the bush for months, and
then perhaps, after all, one may get the
sack-and there's no help for it,
Il don't believe, Douglas. you're half
in earnest, or YOU wouldn't talk so
MUCH" said st. Lawrence, starting up
and going to his painting-table where
he began TO sort MS brushes aud coiC-..,
''Oh, am | not, thought" cried Doug
las, taking his hands from his rumpled
hair. wasn't it one of the first things
did, after that dear old lady departed
to the Elysian fields, to write the name
of Bertha Douglas on the blotting-
book where l had been drawing nv
first cheque, just to see how it looked?"
'PshaW." muttered st. Lawrence,
impatiently.
|You see [ don't take things an grand
serie1Er, as you do. old man." Douglas
went on. Il haven't it in me. l have
not the remotest idea why Romeo killed
himself, even if Juliet was dead; nor
how Othello felt after smOthering his
wife. But I'll make good husband
for all that-see if l DON'T"
eff you dOn't-if you ever cause her
a sigh, or tear" st. Lawrence began,
hOtlY. the color rushing to his face hnt
with great sigh, as if out of the depths
of his heart, he checked himself
Don't mind me-" he said-''I'm out of
sorts just now; | shall be all right soon.
If it were not for Riggs, as | said be-
fore, I'd go away for time-the fur
Their off the better. But let us talk of
something else. What will you have?
Claret's the coolest"
''Claret, by all MEANS" Douglas re-
piled. Il intend to fOregO whisky and
pipes, and all that sort of thing, and to
go in for tea and buttered mullins. The
fellows at the Shakespeare Head Will
lose one of the chief ornaments of their
society, and will have the more to re-
greet When 1t remains ungraced by the
presence of Eustace st. Lawrence,
ESQ.,"
Il have no taste that way; I suppose
was not to the manor born. More
over, I'm afraid I'm but a mOrOse sort
of fellow, better left to myself. shall
miss you nevertheless. Douglas, when
you settle down, " said st. Lawrence. +.
Miss me? Why, you know there
will always be knife and fork for YOU,
old mani" Douglas exclaimed. Il don't
know why Bertha should have been a
little shy with you lately, but she did
like You. am sure"
st. Lawrence went to the window and
with jerk threw it up as high as it
would go. !:
1T, S awfully hot" he said-'I think
there's going to be a Storm
" m glad of it," Douglas returned,
looking up at the gathering clouds-''it
will clear the air."