Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-02-10

SILL LefIlleT, Out tlE1I CLOAK, now
come to see it on, it really is most un
worthy of you, a very inferior piece OF
goods, and if you'll allow me I'll change
it, and he gently extended his hand
to draw it off
Touch it not said the goddess; '.fo1
having once been placed upon my effigy
it is cOnsecrated to my service
For mercy's sake, let me get another
one-One with more style about itr' he
entreated; my credit hangs on it,
Il am content" she said. more than
content. No more wor1s-I retain it.
And you have pleased me by this con
duct, my hairdresser. Unknown it may
be. even to yourself, your heart is warm
ing in the sunshine Of my favor; you
are coy and hayward, but you are yield
ing. Though pent in this form, carved
by mortal hand, shall prevail in the
end. ! shall have you for my own"
He llmpled his hair wildly: "Holrid
obstinate these goddeSses are" he said.
What am l to say to Matilda now? Ii
| could only find a way of getting this
statue shut up somewhere where she
couldn't come and bother me, I'd take
my chance OF the rest. | can't 20 on
with this sort of thing every evening.
I'm sick and tired of it,
Then something occurred to him.
Gould l delude her into it, he asked
himself. She's soft enough in some
things and for all she's goddess, She
don't seem up to our London ways vet.
I'll have try anyway
So he began: Didn't ] understand
you to observe, mum, some time back
that the pidgings and sparrers We're
your BIRDS"
They are mine," she said, cor they
were mine in days that are past
Well he said, there's place close
by, with ratings in front of it, and steps
and pillars as you go in, and if you like
to 90 and look in the yard there you'll
find pidginSs CROUCH to set you up again.
l shouldn't wonder if they've been keep
ing them for you all this time
They shall not lose By it," she said,
go thither and bring me my BIRDS
Il think" he said, . it would be bet
ter if you'd 20 yourself; they don't know
me at the British Museum. But if you
was TO go to the beadle at the lodge and
demand them I've no doubt you'd be at
tended to, and you'll Sc some parties at
the gate in long coats and black cloth
helmets, which if you ask them to ketch
you a few sparrers they'll probably be
most happy to oblise."
My beloved BIRDS she said, Il have
been absent from them so long. Yes |
will go; tell me where:'
He got his hat and Went with her to
Il corner of Bloomsbury Square, from
which they could see the ratings front
Ing the Museum in the steeltinted haze
OF electric light.
That's the place." he said; keeps it's
own moonshine, you see. 60 straight
in and tell 'em you're come to fetch
your doves"
II will do So" she said, and strobe off
n irlperious majesty.
He looked after her with an irrepres-
Sible chuckle.
If she amt locked up soon. l don't
know myself" he said, and went back
to his establishment.
He had only just dismissed his ap-
prentice and secured the shop for the
night, when he heard the Well-knOwn
tread up his staircase. Back again!
[ don't have any luck" he muttered; ;
and with reason, for the statue, wear
ing an expression Of cold displeasure,
advanced into the room. He felt a GER
tain sense of guilt when he saw her.
Got the birds?" he inquired with Il
nervous familiarity, 'or couldn't you
bring yourself to ask for them?'
You have nlisled me,' she said; my
birds are not there. l came to the gate
in front of a stately pile-doubtless
erected to some god; at the entrance
stood q priest, burly and strong. with
gold-embroidered garments
C'The beadle, suppose" commented
Leander.')
Il passed him unseen, and roamed
mfindered over the courtyard. 1t was
bare, save for one or two wo1shippers
who crossed it. Presently a winged
thing fluttered down to my feet. But
though 4 dove. indeed it was no bird Of
mine-it knew me not. And it was
dragged, begrimed, uncleanly. as never
were the doves of Aphrodite. And the
sparTows for these. too. did see). they
We're worse. I motioned them from me
with loathing / renowned them all.
Thus, Leander, have l Jared in follow
ing your counsels.
We'll it amt my fault he said; its
the London SCOT makes them like that.
There's some at the Gllildhall; perhaps
they're cleaner"
No. she said, vehemently; {" will
seek no further. This is city Of dark
ness and filth. l am in a land. an age,
which know me not; this much have
learned already. The world was fairer
and brighter of old"
You see" said Leander, IF you only
go about at night. you can't expect sun
shine! But I'm told there's cleaner and
brighter places to be seen abroad if you
cared to go therer he insinuated
ITO one place only, to my Cyprian
caves, will l co." she declared, land
with you!"
| ''We'n talk about that some other
time" he answered soothingly. Lady
Venus look here. don't you think you've
kept that ring long enough? I've asked
you ciyilly enough goodness knows, to
hand it over, times without number. l
ask you once more to act fair. You
know it came to YOU quite accidental,
and yet you want to take advantage Of
it like this. 1t amt right!''
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