Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-01-20

Nov when did / ever say / loved
them? / don't even know more than
two or three and those I look on as
sisters-in fact (here he hit upon a
lucky evasion) they are sisters-it's
only another name for them. I've a
brother and three Matildas, and here
are you talking of crushing my poor
sisters as if they were so many beadles
all for nothing"
rs this the truth? Palter not with
me. You are pledged to no mortal
bride?"
I'm a bachelor. AS for the ring, it
belongs to my aunt, who is over fifty"
''Then no one stands between us, and
you are mine!'
Don't talk so ridiculous. l tell you
l ain't yourS-it's a free country, this
ISL
If Ian immortal-can stoop thus,
it becomes you not to reject the dazz
ling favor"
A last argument occurred TO him.
But L really don't think, num-" he
said peIsuasively, that you can be
quite persuaSively, that you can be
quite aware of the extent of the Stoop.
The fact is, aln, as I've tried to make
you understand, a hair-dreSSer; some
might lower themselves SO far as to
call me a barber. Now, hair-dreSSing,
whatever may be said for it, Che could
not readily bring himself to decry his
professiom, ''hair-dresSing is consider
ably below you in social rank. l
wouldn't deceive you by saying other
wise. l assure you that, if you had any
ideer what barber was, you wouldn't
be SO pressing"
She seemed to be struck by this.
You say wellv' she observed thought
fully; your occupation may be base
and degrading, and if 50, it were well
for me to know it,
eff you We're once to see me in my
daily vocations," he urged, you'd see
what a mistake you're making"
Enough! l will see you-and at
once. Barb, that l may know the ma
ture of your toilr'
81 can't do that now,' he objected;
Il havn't got customer
chen fetch one, and barb with it i'm
mediately. You must have your tools
by you; so delay not!''
ga customer amt a tool!' he groan-
ed, cts a fellow-mm; and no one will
come in tonight, because it's Sunday.
Don't ask me what Sunday is, because
you wouldn't understand if l tried to
tell you9 And | don't carry on my
business up here, but below in the
saloon
81 will so thither and behold you"
''Nor" he exclaimed. do you want
to ruin me?'
81 will make no sign; noe shall rCcog
niZe me for what | am. But come /
will.'
Ieandcr pondered Il while. There
was danger in introducing the goddess
into his saloon; he had no idea what
she might do there. But at the same
time, if she were bent upon coming,
she would probably do so In any case,
and besides, he felt tolerably certain
that what she would see would con-
vince her of his utter unsuitability rs Il
cOnSort
Yes, it was surely wiseSt to assist ne
cessity and obtain the most favorable
conditions for the inevitable expert
ment.
81 might put you in a corner of the
operating room, to be sure" he said
, thoughtfully; mo one would think but
what you was part of the fittings unless
you went moving about"
"P1ace me where l may behold you
at your labor, and there | will remain"
she said.
"Wen," he conceded, "Tn risk it.
The best way would be for you 20
walk down to the saloon and leave
yourself ready in a corner till you come
to again. 1 cant carry heavy marble
image all that way"
$50 be it," said she, and followed
him to the saloon with a proud docillty.
cts nicely got up" he remarked, as
they reached it, "and you'll find it
roOmicr than the cupboard"
| She deigned no answer as she re-
manned motionless in the corner he had
indicated, and presently, as he held UP
the candle, he was carrying, he found
, it's rays were shining upon senseless
stone.
He went upstairs again, half fearful
half sanguine. Il don't altogether like
it." he was thinking. Out if | put g
print wrapper over her all day, no one
will notice. And goddesses must have
their proper pride. If she once gets
it into her marble head that | keep
shop, / think that she'll turn up be-
nose at me. And then she'll give bacl
the ring and go away, and sha'nt b'
afraid of the police; and 1 needn't tel
Tillie about it. It's worth risking.