Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-02-03
The TINTED VENUS.
a FRRolRL ROMANCE,
By +. ANsTEY.

Not once-leastwise, that is to say
A guilty memory of RosherWich
made him bungle here
why, of course l didn't expect you
TO stop indoors all the time," said Ma
ulda, noting the amendment, 80 long
as you never went where you wouldn' 1
take me-
Oh, conscience conscience! But Rosh-
erwich didn't count; it was outside the
radius; and besides he hadn't enjoyed
himself.
Well" he said, Il did go out one
evening to hear lecture on Astronomy
at the Town Hall, in the Gray's Inn
Road; but then / had the ticket given
me by customer, and | really was sur
prised to find how regular the stars was
III their habits, comets and all. But my
'Tilda is the only star of the evening
for me, tonight. | don't want to talk
TO you about anything else"
The diversion was successful and Ma
tilda asked no more inconyenient ques-
tons. Presently She happened to cough
slightly, and he touched accusingly the
light summer cloak She was wearing.
You're not dressed warm enough for
q night like this he said, with low
ers concern; haven't you got anything
thicker To put on than that!"
Il haven't bought my winter things
yet" said Matilda 1T was so mild
that thought I'd wait till | could afford
Ii better. But I've chosen the very
thing | mean to buy. You know Mrs.
TWilling's, ut the top Of the roW-the
corner shop Well, in the window there
Is perfectly lovely long cloak, all
lined with squirrels fur, and with those
nice oxidized silver fastenings. A cloak
like that lasts ever SO long, and will
always look neat and quiet; and any
one can wear it without being stared
after 80, | mean to buy it as soon us il
turns really cold"
"Ahw said he, Il can't nave you ketch
ing cold, you know. 1t amt summer
any Longer, and 1--we ben thinking we
must give up our evening strollo togetil-
er for the present.
When yD'ly.. i:lst been 81! in-s how
miserable you We been without item.
Oh, Lcandtr!'
without YOU" he amended, lamely.
Il shall see you ut auntS, of course;
only we'd better suspend the walks
while the nights are SO raw. And, oh,
Title, ere long you will be mine, my
little wife, Only to think Of you keep
ing the books for me with your own
pretty little fingers, and sending out the
bills not that ! give much credit. All,
what a blissful dream it sounds. Does
it to you, MatiIda?"
Pm not sure that you keep your
books the same way as we do" she re-
piled demureIy. But | dare say -
Matildil-"I dare say we shall suit one
another"
Suit one another he cried. All.
we shall be inScparable rs Il brush and
comb, Tillie, if you'll excuse 50 puffes-
sional Il stimulus And what Il future
-teS before mel If | can only succeed
IN introducing some OF my inventions
to public notice we may rise, Title,
like an exclamation as the poet says
! believe my new and nasal Splint has
only to be known to become universal
~ worn; and I've been thinking out Il
little machine lately for imparting Il
patrician arch to the fiattest foot that
ought to have an extensive run | III
most wish YOU weren't SO pretty, Tille.
I've studied you careful, and I'm bound
to say as it is there really isn't room
for any Improvement | could suggest.
Natures beaten me there, and I'm not
too proud to own it,
Would YOU rather there was ROOM
inquired Matilda.
Prem professional point of view,
it would have inspired me-" he said
1T would have suggested Ulcers, and l
shouldn't have loved you less, not if
you hadn't had tooth in your mouth
nor Il hair on your head; you would
still be my beautiful Tillie."
II would rather be rs | am, thank
YOU" said Matilda, to whom this fancy
sketch did not appeal. And now lets
talk about something else. Do you
Know that mamma is coming up to town
1T the end of the week on purpose to
see you?''
NO. said L"ander IL didn't
Yes, shes taken the whole of your
aunt'S first floor for 4 week. you know
she knew Miss Tweddle when she was
younger, and that was how l came to
lodge there and to meet you.) Do you
remember that Sunday afternoon you
came to tea and your aunt invited me
In because she thought l must be feel
ing SO dun all alone?"
All. | should think l did. Do you
remember | helped to toast the cruln-
pets? What halcyon evening that
was Matilda"
WAS it," She said. Il don't remem-
Der the weather exactly. but it was nice
indoors"
But. | say. Title. my own" he said.
somewhat anNiouSly. how does Your
ma like your being engaged to me-
Well l don't think she does like it
quite said Matilda. "She says she
will reserve her consent till she sees
whether You are worthy: but directly
She sees you, Leander her objections
will vanish
She has got objections. then? What
to-"
Mother always wanted me to keep
my affections out Of trade" said MAJ
ulda. You see, she never can forget
what poor papa was"
And what was your poor papa?"
asked Lean1er.
Didn't you know? He was den
fist an6 t1aaf r,al-a, ,,,o,,,,,,o 81 x-o,-x-