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

was really very nervous, and, when
Baines summoned me, felt as if | were
going TO the dentist. However, | tried
TO shelter myself behind the "medip yal
manner which Guy SO much admired,
and, shaking off my would-be assistants,
marched into the business-room alone.
To my great JOY dear old NJ. Taylor
was already there, and his presence 50
treasured and cJmforted me that | rot
through the rent-receiving admirably,
and my dignitied demeanor was not even
disturbed on discovering that Bill Holne
and Alec Douglas were watching me
through the window. 1t was too bad;
and the fact that they did not even catch
cold shook my faith in retributive Justice.
When ] emerged, money-bags in hand,
| found the whole contingent of guests
drawn up to receive me; and Sir Harry
Beaumont, pleasant little sporting bar
cnet and one of my best friends, stepped
forward, with a most elaborate bow. to
beseech the chancellCress of the ex-
chequer 20 take pity on the suiferings Of
the people and advance something to-
wards their debts In a speech as elab-
crate as his bow. pointed out that debts
Of dimensions so nobly national would
in no manner be benefited BY a paltry
sop Of three thousand pounds, and that
| should therefore eXpend it for the BEN
eft Of the state. Apparently they had
no idea that my receipts had been 80
vast; and my three aldes-de-camp, as the
officers mad dubbed themselves, promptly
seized the money-bags and carried them
off to Guys room for me, every one fol-
lowing TO witness their safe Judgment.
When the money was duly locked up,
and had the key safe in my purse, and
my purse safe in an undiscoyerable pock-
ct, | felt as free as air again, and my
spirits rose TO pitch so infectious that
everyone declared that the evening was
the merriest they had ever spent. We
played Dunno Crambo, and the ridiculous
game of thimble-hunting, in which Bill
Holne distinguished himself by wander
ing about in fruitless search for quite a
quarter of an hour after everyone else
had discovered the article standing in the
middle of one of the largest tables.
Then Sir Harry sang the donkey par
ody" on 1.-The Place Where the Old Horse
Died" and Alec gave us some banjo dit
ties. Everybody was delightfully."- anus
ing except Mr.. Mannheim; but he, in
spite Of spasmodic efforts to be cheerful
was so gloomy that began to think his
attentions to Lillian meant something
more than pastime. Certainly he had
been somewhat dull and distract all the
time, but the gloom enveloping him that
night was quite painful to witness. 1t
made but little impression upon the 9th
ers however, for we were too numerous
and too merry to be influenced by one
melancholy companion.
When bedtime came, my aides-de-
camp were most anxious to mount guard
in my corridor; while Sir Harry suggest
ed claiming the huge mastitf which al
ways travels about with him TO the
handle of my door. The others were
munificent in their offers of revolvers,
pistols &c. and begged me to lie the
bell-rope TO my wrist.
At length l escaped, and Lily and
settled ourselves in iounging- chairs for a
coy chat over my fire. We did not,
however, begin to talk Immediately, for
Lillian appeared to be in a very reflective
mood; but, after a long silence, said;
"Do you like despair, Lily?'
Good Heavens, no! What do you
mean?"
"Mr. Mannheim"
"Mr. Mannheim He must have muir
dered communicating else could justi-
fy such gloom; and nothing-nothing
can justify his inhicting it upon me"
"And yet | suppose you are the cause
of this an fish, No doubt he is singing
that dole. al song now" said.
Il the cause2 | wish | were; then |
could remove it and him. It's too bad
he enveloped me like a London fog.
This outburst astonished me very much,
for Lillian was not usually annoyed by
any tribute to her charms.
"Why are you so vicious about ltf' /
inquired
I'm not vicious; and / didn't think
you would speak to me in that way,
Maudie."
There was a suspicious culver of her
pretty lips as she uttered these reproach-
full words which made me say:
"Why, darling, what is the natter!
81 don't know; but I'm not flirt, am
l? And, if | We're, | couldn't be a cold
blooded statue too, could |? | always
thought statues were bloodless, didn't
YOU? And | don't see how they could
tlirt."
"Whocall5 you such charming names?
"Oh, it doesn't matter! l hate himv
she answered irrelevently.
"Of course. But who was it,"
"Alec," she replied reluctantly, and
then continued wildly, "Oh, Maudie it's
too dreadful, do believe I'm going TO be
fond of himl'
She looked at me with wide-open hor-
rided eyes; but only observed calmly:
"Well, | suppose, after his giving you
such a lead, the least you can do is tC
follow it," Then, as She remained silent
and still looked quite detected l added
81 suppose you don't doubt his devotion
10 your
"Oh. don't knowl told him Ihated
him: and tonight he was in such a rage
he looks splendid when he's in a rage
and said all those hateful things. anc
many much worse. He actually said
was not To suppose for a moment that he
was Jealous of my affection for Mr.. Mann
helm. for he knew didn't care for him
and only meant to marry him for hi'
money. | scored then, though, SHE
went on. with smile of savage satlstac'
ton II told him that. if love was re-
presented bv the language he was ther
using, money was distinctly preferable
and assured him that my marriage coulc
never be ol the smallest interest TO him.
IS from that moment should cease e