Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-01


on dress parads-still on hand. as you
see. And I was just suggesting Q di-
version in the way Of champagne. IS you
made your appearance- How does IL
touch your"
And was just declining the sugges-
ton, dryly observed Jasper, looking sig
nihcantly ct Rollingstone.
Notwithstanding, the latter suddenly
assumed an undecided air.
Soulless spendthrift and broken-dovn
profigate as he had become, he retained
not an atom Of gratitude for the pecu-
mary obligation Of q short time before;
but the prospect Of grHtuitous vine-bib-
bing was ever q powerful attraction to
his jaded, worthless faculties, whenever
he ehanced to be anything but asleep or
absorbed in the stronger fascination of
dice or cards.
Il say, Bently," said he, turning in Q
sort Of apologetic, deferential way to
Jasper, we might Just keep Figgles COM
pany in q bottle or two; don't you
think so7'
"oh, perhaps SO, If Bicycles is so very
urgentp impatiently assented Jasper.
'but you must remember the gentlemen
we are to see, and that the Crystal Pal
ace will be the best place to look for
them"
So Wormer, philosophically pocketing
the snubs repeatedly bestowed in the in
tentional misuse Of his fictitious name,
ordered the wine and carried them of to
the coffee-room in triumph, saying to
himself as he did so: ''Gadl my sudden
swell Of Jasper Marlowe shall either
take me to the Crystal Palace with him,
or there will be still another who shall
fail to accompany him, if there's aught of
strength or virtue in champagne!"
But the result proved that he was mis-
taken in at least one fenture Of his calcu-
lation.
Glass after glass was tossed off in q
melancholy, business-like manner, with
out the halting preliminary of toasts and
pledges, and bottle after bottle disposed
Of with SO little appreciable effect upon
him, that it was only at last Wormer him
self who proposed diversion into less
expensive pastimes.
Jaw, just as you please, Singles, !"
quietly observed the intact Rollingstone,
slowly rising and preparing to accompany
Jasper, who had persistently refused the
wine. you're deuced jolly fellow, my
boy, but must tear myself away from
you, since Bently and have an engage
| meub AOb W 10 uc1hycu.
Il say, hold on, thought" cried the spy,
groaning out an inward curse as he liquid
| ated with the waiter to the extent Of six
ouineas, and half wild at the thought of
| having gone to the expense, perhaps, for
nothing. "Demnition seize me, gentle-
men, if sha'n't accompany you'll Cad,
I've never yet been to a Crystal Palace
concert, and-and-you'l excuse SOL
iarf hInnfnaoC m T NT1'
| suppose you'll object to my company,
will you?"
"Ah, what do you say, Bently, can we
| take Piggles along-would there be any
| impropriety, you knowP" lazily queried
Rollingstone, in much the same tone as
he might have balanced the claims Of q
rather interesting poodle.
Il should have no serious objection,
but don't know how the gentlemen we in
| tend meeting might like it, was Jasper'a
drawled reply, with another resort to the
eyeglass.
Really, you see how it is yourself,
Swiggles-no choice left US in the matter
at all. Ta. ia! The merriest Of chance
acquaintances must part.
| And, with that, Rollingstone and JAS
per strolled out of the inn together
leaving the bafded Wormer to his secret
rage and disappointment.
Rather rough on the cad, too, espe
cially after he had set up the tipple sc
prodigally," commented Rollingstone
after they were seated in hackney-coach
and on the way to their destination. -Th'
poor devil really may have wanted to hea
the concert, too."
Don't waste your sympathy on him
he will certainly follow us" said Jasper
His real name is Wormer, and he is un
der pay to spy upon my movements"