The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-08-26

which they say is 2 grand success"
'And he's very anxious fer you {,
come on and make him a visit saiC
Lexington, while scanning the letter.
"Oh, yes. He thinks me wonderful
art-critic, though the completest failure
as a painter"
''How obliging of him." said Lexing
ton, coldly. He had for some time felt
a vague jealousy of this Eric Thaxter,
whom Alonzo would so often mention
even amid the furry and whirl of the
life he led.
Read on, Phil, and you'll see. Eric
thinks there's no one with such a fail
as l for what's genuine in art. The
young king, who is absurdly rich, con.
sidering the smallness of his realm. is
anxious for somebody to prowl through
the old italian monasteries and examine
forgotten masterpieces, besides buying
at modern sales everything that shows
transcendent merit"
"And actually he thinks YOU would
accept such position as that" sneered
Lexington. Upon my word. Lonz. If
strikes me as almost an insult. Does
your friend suggest any salary?'
! AlonZo suppressed a yawn. "No; ]
! dare say the grandeur of knowing his
majesty would be thought sufficient
"Indeedl''
sob, come, row." cried Alonzo. slap
/ ping his friend on the shoulder, Its all
only little scheme on Eric's part to
| have me go over and hob-nob with him
in Saltravi.''
And SO he bats his invitation with
the prospect of meeting a king"
'Oh. poor. dear Eric, Not at all. /
don't doubt he's aware that I've met
several" Here Alonzo began to count
with one hand on the outspread fingers
of the other. They've all been so nice
to me, too. Let me think. First. there
was the prince, in London. year before
last. Bat no. he isn't . king, is hep
''0h, he'll pass for one. l remember,
you sow him Il lot CT times
Through Daisy Bostwicl5. you know.
She and l were such tremendous chums
before she married"
Daisy Bostvicls. a" smiled Lexington,
''that's American, I suppose, for the
marcli0less Of Niddles1z'
Yes, I've played more than one game
of poker at tie Niddlesczes in Grcs-
vencr Square with II. l.. II. Then
there WIS UmbcTto at Rome. Of course
he vas rice to re. because he and the
queen both adore Bessie SyuthCate,
who used 20 20 20 school with my sis
ter Kitty, and Is low Princess
Carriolc: and Bessie was simply sweet
to Us the minute she heard we were in
Rome. And-lct me think; haven't l
any more royalties 20 brag about?
Yes, there was tho king CT Servia,
whom / took s5ppcr with in Paris. year
before last. and Oh. I'd forgotten-I
was presented IN Berlin. the same year,
at great ball somewhere, to the en-
peror of Ger But no: he wasn't en-
peror then: he was only crown prince.
So my list IS Z pretty small one, after
all. isn't it?"
It's large enough Tor you 70 snap
your fingers ct 4 minor potolt1tc like
The king Of Saitravia. by che way,
Lonz, yoCr people VIII soon be Srriving.
Why don't You drc1s?"
Dress" cried Alonzo. liftir~ both
hands and whirling himself round
while he surveyed his attire Isn't
this good enough, in tie name Of com
mon scnsc?"
In the name Of dcccncv." replied
Lexington, lit isn't. ! vclvetcon sack
coat and 6 big tenPestuous-loolling
necltie of bricls-du5: rcd silk! 1t won't
do ct ell. You've lots Ct swagger after
rCon things. Ping FOR your man. and
make him put you into one of your new
London suits It's positively shameful
that you should 80 downstairs IN those
Bohemian toys. Your sister. Mrs. Van
Santvoord, viii be furious"
Oh, Ilitty's always grunbiing at
ne. l don't mind her.
But this is the first home entertain
ncnt you've given TO Miss Kennaird;"
True" said Alonzo. while his rat
Ting manner seemed TO soften. But,
ny dear PHIL he suddenly resumed,
throwing back his head and making
tiiGhty gestures with both hands, If
there's one thing that dear kathleen of
mine likes about me. it's to have me be
myself. True, she's conventional
enough; but Oh. when 1 think OF that
adorable girl she reconciles me 10 all
the sham and trash Of the LIE we live
and the way We live IT.
Lexington furtively Gnawcd his liz.
lie had his own secret cynical ideas
about the sincerity Of this new sweet
heart whom his young millionaire
friend had chosen.
"OE. well, . he returned, rather Criraiy.
II YOU want TO defy convention il
doesn't matter. You're so popular that
you can. Nobody minds. They all &C
cept you and like you the better for
being yourself, since it's yourself They're
50 fond Of"
Fond" echoed Alonzo. and with so
harshly unwonted q ring in his voice
THAI it made his kearer start and stare.
He let his flexible frame sink down on
the broad arm OF an e2sy-chair ne2-
which &c had been standing. and his
t;.wny eyes had never shore with zt-v-,g-
e. seriousness than while he no. con1iI,-
ced 70 speak:
You good. l1;1d-heartod Phil! Don't |
you see that my popularity is the mcrest |
myth? Wien % bold G. qaecr things !
t isn't whom they laugh at and make
believe that they think funny; it's c
fellow Nth & few Thousand = Ccor TINT |
&c claclders on tseir amusement. Let !
tate strip nc Of those. Phi. I'D they'd |
.hiuls me as ordinary Is heir -C-aiag
sa:h. I don't want to be cynic, AID il
did there ere So-e few things that
would save ne ron Il. YoU're o2e Of |
herr"
10
Yes, you ring right, sonchow-Gt
east TO ny ears you d."
THANH"