Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-27
MON ICA.
LOVE STORY OF MODERN DAYS

II told you it was not to be DONE" says
Olga. petulantly, addressing everybody gem
orally.
Il can't agree with you. I see no reason
why it should fall to the ground" says bliss
Fitzgerald, warmly, who is determined 10
show herself off in a gown that has done
duty for Madame Favart, and the ''Bahe-
milan Girl, and Mauritania" many a time
and Oft
Il have another idea," says Mr.. Kelly, at
this OppOrtune moment
IF it is as useful as your first. you may
keep it, says Olga, with pardOnable indg-
nation.
Il am misunderstood" says Mr.. Kelly,
mCurnfully, but with dignity. Il shall write
to Miss Montgomery, and ask her to make
another pathetic tale about me. As you are
bent on tIampliny upon anunknown genius,
poor but prOud,-I shall not make you ac-
quainted with this last beautiful thought
which | have evolved from my inner con-
sciousneSs.'
Don't say that! do tell it to u.s. says
Monica, eagerly, and in perfect faith. She
knows less of him than the others, and may
therefore be excused for still believing him.
Thank you, Miss BereSford. You can
soar above mean desire to crush rising
power. You have read, of course, that popu-
lar poem by our poet-laureate, called
Enid"
YES" says Monica, staring at him.
Il mean the poem i'll which he has so
faithfully depicted the way in which two
escaped lunatics would be sure to behave if
left to their own devices. Considered as a
warning to us to keep bolts and bars on
Colney Hatch and Hapwell, it may be re-
garded as delicate attention. Dear Tenny
son! he certainly is a public benefactor.
There is a scene in that remarkable poem
which l think might suit us. You remem-
Der where, after much wild carecrmg III the
fore ground, the principal idiots decide uD-
on riding home together pilIion fashion,?
81 think So" says Monica, who plainly
doesn't, being much confused.
''Then on lis foot she set her own and
climbed, and then she drew her arms
round him in most unmaidenly fashion, if
L rec0lect right; but Of course mad people
Vi'l be vehement, poor souls; they can't
hip it. Now, surprising we adopted that
scene, wOuldn't it be effective? One of Mad
anne O'Connors big carriage-horses, if
brought forward,-I mean the one that kick
ed over the traces, yesterday,-Would,l finn
~ believe, create quite sensation, and in
all probability bring down the house."
''The Stage, certainly" says Desmond.
'Ah! you approve Of it," says Kelly, with
suspicious gratitude. z e II let us arrange
it at once. Miss Beresford might throw her
arms round Ryde, for example; that would
be charming.'
Desmond looking at this moment as if he
would willingly murder him, Mr. Kelly is
apparently satisfied, and sinks to rest with
his head upon his arms once more. No one
else has heard the suggest ODS
Il think you might help me, instead of
giving voice to insane prOpositiOn;," says
O:ga, repTouchfully, turning her Jes upon
NIr. helly'S Bowed fOrm,-he is lying pros
tratn on the graSs,-wh3ch is shaking, i'll
palsied fashion. Il really did believe YOU"
she says, Whnraup0n that young man,
spriDging to his feet, filings his arms wide,
and appeals in an impassi0ned manner to
an unparalleled public as to whether he has
not been racking his brain in her service for
The last halt-hour.
"Then | wish you would go and rack it in
somebody elSe'S service" says Mrs. Bohun,
ungratefully.
Hear herr says Mr.. Kelly, gazing slow
ly round him. "She still persists in this UNI
seemly abuse. She is bent on breaking my
heart and driving sleep from mine eyelids.
1t is ungenerOus,-the more so that she
knows l have not the courage to tear myself
from her beloved presence. You, R0nayne,
and you, Rossmoyne, can sympathize with
me:
Endurance vile here must wake and weep
And all my frowZy couch in sorrow Steep"
Fancy frowzy couch saturated with tears!
you know" reprOachfully to Olga, 'yOu
wouldn't like to have to lie Oh it,"
"Oh, do come and sit down near me, and
be silent, says Olga, in desperation.
''Why not have p!ay?" says Captain
Goblet, who, with Mr.. Ryde, has driven
over from ClOnbree.
1.-THE plays the thing" says Brian Des-
mond, lazly; ''but, when you are about it,
make it farce"
"Oh, no!' says Miss Fitzgerald, with a
Mortified ges ure; ''GnUhjng but that! Why
not let us Try one OF the good old comedies
THE School for Scandal' for cXample?''
"IVhGt" says Mr.. Kelly, very weakly. lie
is plainly quite overcome by this suggestion.
"W6.l, why nOtw demands the fair Bella,
with just SOltpcO1l, of a>l erity in her tone,
as much as she ever allows herself when
in the socie.y of men. She makes up for
this abstinence by bestowing a liberal share
Of it upon her maid and her mother.
'Its-it's such nau ghty, naughty piece"
orabIe retreat from his first meaning.
Nonsense! One can strike out anything
distastefu."
''ShadeS of Farren-and- Who would
be Lady Laazle?" says O.ga.
Il WOuld,' says Bella, mOdeStly.
THAT is more than good Of you," says
Olga, casting a curious glance at her from
under her long lashes. 'Bu. thought, per-
haps- You, Hernia, would you not I'M
dertake it? You know, last season, they
said you WERE
mo, dear, thanks. No, indccd," with
emphasis.
Goblet does Joseph Surface to perfpc-
ton" breaks in Mr.. Ryde, enthusiastically.
"Oh, | say now Ryde! Come, you know,
this is hardly fair" says the little captain,
coyly, who is looking particularly pinched
and dried to-day, in spite of the hot sun.
There is satisfied smirk upon his pale lit
tie lips, and poor attempt at self-deprecia-
ton about his whole manner.
you know you took 'em by storm at
Portsmouth last year,-made 'em laugh like
fun. You should see him. persists Ryde,
addressing everybody generally.
Perhaps you mean the part of Charles
Surface" says Ronayne, in some surprise.
mo. Joseph; the sly one, you know"
says Ryde, chuckling over some recollec-
ton.
well, it never occurred to me that
Joseph's part might be termed funny
one" says Mr.. Kelly, mildly; "but that
shows how ignorant all we Irish are. 1t
will be very kind of you, Cobbett to en-
tighten us,-to show us something good, in
fact"
Really, you know, you flatter me absurd
ly," says Cobbett the self-depreciation
fainter, the smirk broader.
Lord R0ssmoyne, whose good temper is