Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-04-11


With the first brew Of tea on the next
day some Of our guests arrived, the rest
fuiiowing at irregular intervals to an ac-
compartment of more tea and more muf-
fins, until bedtime.
Captain Richmond and Alec Douglas
were the first arrivals. The Captain was
a most satisfactory man; you knew at
first sight that you would like him, and
you knew why. He was exceedingly
gOod-looking, and superbly regardless of
the fact, although he was always per
fectly dressed. Indeed, in the matter of
neckties he exhibited a masculine per-
lection which brought tears of envy TO
the eyes Of all the unfortunate women
who struggled with theirs on hunting
mornings until the horses were at the
door.
Alec Douglas was handsome too, but,
poor fellow, he had no chance Of ignor-
ing it since "A lady-novelist had made him
her hero, and described his appearance
as "that of a young Greek god, his close
curled golden locks FURNISHED to heaven
ly lustre by the setting sun" | often
wondered if Alec ever wished to overlook
the fact Of his being one Of the best-look-
ing young men in the service. He de-
voted all his attention to me on his ar
rival-at least he tried to do SO; but it
aggravated him to see Lillian quite alb
sorbed by such a dangerous rival as Cap
tain Richmond, and the young man most
decidedly did not like it. When Mr..
Mannheim arrived, Alec charged, but
did not rout the enemy; he was, however,
allowed to hang on as a sort of campbell
lower. Lillian and the Deyonshire PEN
ance had certainly tanned him marvel
ouSly, and, after a most praisworthy dis
play Of patience, he obtained his reward,
for Captain Richmond joined in my chat
with Mr.. Mannheim, who was a friend
not to be despised by men who would
fain hunt three times as often as their
horses would carry them. The young
Croesus had capital hunting quarters, and
q mount for n hard-riding friend was not
only forthcoming, but well worth hav-
ing. He was dark, with the brilliant
Oriental eyes which some women greatly
admire, and he had a languid manner
which was considered by many to be
quite irresistible. Personally he always
inspired me with strong inclination TO
probe him with my longest hat-pin, so
that | never dared to remain long in his
neighborhood when armed with that
weapon.
After dinner we played at "Imperti-
nent Questions" which resulted in the
discovery that Alec Douglas had sat out
the whole evening with his great-aunt
at the last ball he went to, that Captain
Richmond would marry his grandmoth-
er, and that | should emDezzle the funds
of the Primrose League to pay my MILL
ner's bill. We then adjourned to the
billiard-room, but Guy sent Lily and me
OIL TO bed disgustingly early, because, he
said, we were 'enough to put any fell
lows eye out" and they must shoot
straight the next day. Guy was quite
brutal ut times.
Unluckily for us, they did shoot very
straight, SO ever since ! have ALWAYS
been told to so TO bed early when a big
shoot is in prospect. They came back to
the house greatly pleased with them
selves; but there was a tiresome telegram
waiting for Guy which made him use
most unseemly language
Here's a COMPOUNDED nuisancep he
exclaimed. "They have put that case of
ID Enycourt's down for tomorrow morn
ing. Why on earth didn't you open the
telegram, Maud, and wire to them to get
someone ol5e.'
II didn't get in till after you did, - re-
piled; land Baines told me you had ar
rived, SO left it.
well there's no help for it," said
Guy; and, heaving a deep sigh, he order
ed the dog-Cart TO be round in half an
hour, and then made havoc amongst the
cakes as though they never dined at
DEnyCourt.
He was bound to get there for dinner,
a. he explained to our guests, for the six
o'clock train was the last ore, and Break,
neck Hill made going By road too risky 3
proceeding, the ground being in such bad
coalition,
Did YOU hear about this case Of D'Fny-
COURTS" he asked. "lt's a most comical
affair His daughter found a strange
man on the staircase the other day, when
she was going down to luncheon; she
called the f0otman, and had him elected.
But D'Enycourt, when he heard of it,
did not mt all approve Of such a gentle
method Of procedure, so he set the rural
police on the mans track For won
der, they caught him actually found
him in DEnycourt Park again The fell
low swore that he had an appointment
10 meet Miss D'EnvCOurt in the ROOkery
and said that he adored her, sc They
declare that he is mad; but it's rather a
tici,llsh thing to say that a man Is mad
because he is in love with Miss Deny
court The lunatic asylums would be
crowded, | fancy, if that We're sufficient
TO justify a certificate BY Jove, Maud, y
he broke off suddenly, Eve forgotten
the mon! The farmers are coming to-
night to pay their rents. What on earth
ann | TO do3'
"Do;" replied sandy. Leave them
to me. am quite equal to receiving the
rents. | can't help doing it right, Guy,
when have watched You do it SO often
aud YOU know, darling, it can't be very
difficult, or you wouldn't be able to dot.
This calm impertinence was quite lost
upon Guy, who was deep in calculation
as to the relative risks of missing his
rcut-audit and putting his neck at the
mercy of anything fourfooted down
Breakneck Hill on a dark night with the
roads like glass.
"Well,' he remarked presently, with
n dubious air that was very trying to my
dignity. perhaps YOU might manage
Lock 1t all up in the safe IN my dressing
room, you know, and don't tilrt too
much with old Taylor Taylor
was our senior tenant, and such an Ole