The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-10-10
CHAPTER III.
A PRETTY WOMAN AND A FOOL

PRETTY WOMAN AND "A FOOL.
Fate decreed that just at this time Caroline
and Sybil should each get lover. An ell
derby couple of good family and fortune, Doc
little by name, lived in the neighborhood;
and these having but one child, son, no
would inherit a large estate, decided to give
him profession that he might escape the
dangers of an unemployed youth. He was
sent into the army, and was at present upon
leave
Egerton Doolittle was tall young man,
SLIM with light hair and lisping speech.
His attractions, if he had any, were neither
of body nor of mind; for as to the body he
was feeble in gait with long legs of male
quate thickness, and he was destitute of eye
brows The utmost assiduity also failed to
bring out mustache, although he used ca
pillary fluids of appalling strength, rightly
Judging that for man with military career
before him a certain amount of hair on the
face is as essential as uniform or a sword.
His mind was of similar pattern-weak re-
clning and inane; in a word, he had drawn
the line between sanity and imbecility with
most battling nicely. He walked with his
head little on one side, dressed in the top of
the fashion, wore as many different suits as
there are hours in the day, lost money mildly
at cards, and came to church regularly every
Sunday morning, saying his prayers out Of
book the size of a sixpence. He had a credit
able desire to read only such publications as
were likely to improve his mind, and he al
ways inquired if a work was erroneous OF
not. saving that he was afraid lest he might
DE leo into the perusaI OF someJnmg erroneous,
and might never find it out He admired
women and adOred cleverness, frankly con-
Tossing that he had none of his own, and
thought it ''such a useful thing, you know"
Indeed, he might have set for the immortal
Mr. TootS, with whom he had so much in COM
mon that | fear readers may think Egerton
Doolttle only a study OF that great prince of
noodles. But EgertOn is man by himself,
IL spite of resemblance which fairly sug-
gests that he is no more than a reflection.
He met Car Temple at ball and danced
with her, and the young lady, true to herself,
inquired, in one of the pauses of the dance, if
he had read Allison's History Of Europe"
DoOlittle, whose weakness was not historical
study, was able with tolerable readiness, to
assure her that he had not. He then sank
into silence, that this part of the conversation
might settle into his mind Presently he in
quired:
as that work you spoke of just now very
Zig work."
"Very big" she answered
"More than one voume!" he asked. re-
solved not to let the talk flag
Zone volume!" replied Caroline "A Dozen
I daresay."
"A dozen!" exclaimed Doolittle. He was
so overwhelmed by this statement that he
did not alter a muscle of his face nor emit a
syllable for full five minutes Then he
began again:
You haven't read it, have youg'
"Oh, dear, yes" Caroline replied, with the
confidence of a practised student
"TEe whole dozen volumes?" inquired
Doolittle, who could scarcely believe his
ears.
1.-THE whole dozen volumes" Caroline an
swered, repeating his words with a not I'M
graceful playfulness.
"Then you must be a tremendo usly clever
girl" he said, gazing at her with profound
admiration Ind awe.
"Clever, because / have read twelve vol
umes" cried Caroline, who had a sprightly
wit. II shall read twelve hundred, and see
what you say then"
NO." Egerton said, gravely; "you will not
read twelve hundred Volumes am sure
Egerton meditated for another few minutes.
Then he asked:
us it an erroneous work?"
Thoroughly" Car replied, with decision.
She was Radical
Don't you think it dangerous to read
erroneous works."
"Don't know" Car answered "Not very. "
She tossed her head with a mixture of laugh
ter and light scorn.
IF were to read twelve volumes of an
erroneous work should be quite upset,
Egerton said, as if he were talking of lobster
salad upset for weeks. But you are tremen-
dously strong and you know tin mind, I
mean"