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

'Cuss herr he said angrily, "a pretty
bog she's led me into, she and that
mink, Ada Parkinson"
He felt so thoroughly miserable that
hunger had vanished and he dreaded the
idea of an evening at home, though it
was blusterous night, with occasional
vicious splurts Of rain and by no means
favorable to continued pacing of streets
and squares.
I'm hanged if don't think I'll go to
church, he thought, land perhaps I
shall feel more equal to supper after
ward"
He went upstairs to get his best hat
and overcoat,an was engaged in brush
ing the former in his sitting-room when
from within the cupboard he heard a
shower of raps.
His knees trembled. 'She's wuzz
than any ghost!' he thought; but he
took no notice and went on brushing his
hat, while he endeavored to hum
hymn.
I 'Leanderv' cried the clear, hard
voice he knew too well, 1--WE returned.
Release me!'
house and seek sanctuary in some pew
in the opposite church. But there" he
thought disgustedly, shed only come
in and sit next to me. No, I'll pluck up
a spirit and have it out with herr and
he threw open the door.
! "How have you dared to imprison me
in this narrow tomb?" she demanded
majestically, as she stepped forth
Leander cringed. Its a nice roomy
, cupboard" he said. Il thought per-
haps you wouldn't mind putting up with
it, especially as you invited yourself"
he could not help adding.
when 1 found myself awake and in
utter darkness" she said, 81 thought
you had buried me beneath the soil"
Buried your he exclaimed, with a
sudden perception that he might do
worse.
"And in that thought was preparing
, to invoke the forces that lie beneath the
soil to come to my aid burst the masses
that impeded me, and overwhelm you
and all this ugly swarming city in one
vast ruin!''
II won't bury her." Leander decided.
'I'm sorry you hadn't better opinion
of me, num-" he said aloud. You see,
how you came to be there was this way
When you went out like the snuff Of a
candle, so to speak, you left your statue
standing in the middle of the floor, and
| hal to put it somewhere where it
wouldn't be SEEN"
you did well,' she said, indulgently,
"to screen my image from the vulgar
sight; and if you had no statelier shrine
wherein to install it, the fault lies not
with you. You are pardoned."
Thank you, num-" said Leander;
and now let me ask you if you intend
to animate that statue like this as a
regular thing?''
$50 long as your obstinacy continues,
or until it outlives my forbearance, L
shall return at intervals" she said.
''Why do you ask this?"
'WeI," said Leander, with sinking
heart, but hoping desperately to move
her by the terrors of the law, Its my
| t!ut5- 10 tell YOU that image you're i'll is
stolen property"
HAS it been stolen from one of my
temples?' she asked.
| Il dare say don't know; but there's
the police moving heaven and earth to
get you back again"
| ''He is good and pious-the police
and if 1 knew him 1 would reward
him.
There's good many hims in the
! police-tbat's what we call our guards
; for the street, who take up thieves and
bad characters; and, being stolen,
they're all of 'em after you; and if they
! had a notion where you were they'd
be down on you and back you'd go to
wherever you've come from-some gal
lery, I believe, where you wouldn't get
away again in hurry! Now l tell you
what it is, if you don't give me UP that
ring and go away and leave me in quiet,
I'll tell the police who you are and
where YOU are. | mean what | say, by
George 1 do!''
eve know not George, nor will it
profit you to invoke him now" said the
goddess. so. | will design to reason
with you as with some forward child
Think you that should the guards seize
nv image I should remain within, OF
that it is aught to me where this marble
presentment finds a resting place while
| am absent therefrom? But for you
should you surrender it into their hands
would there be no punishment for YOU
impiety in thus concealing a divine
effigy?"
"She amt no fool" thought Leander
''she mayn't understand our ways, bu
she's a match for me Notwithstanding
1 must try another line
Lady Venus" he began, eff that
the proper way to call you, I didn'
mean any threats-far from it. I'll b.
as humble as you please. You look
good-natured lady; you wouldn't wan
L to make a man uncomfortable, I'm sure
Do give me- back that ring, for mercy
| sake. If / haven't got it to show in
+ day or two shall be ruined
Should any mortal require the rim
of you you have but to reply, 1 hav
: placed it upon the finger of Aphrod1tt
S whose spouse 1 am! Thus will 20
d have honor among mortals, being bel
blameless!'
l. s'Blamelessr' cried Leander, in pa
t donable evaporation, that's all 20
know about it! And what am I to sa
II to the lady it lawfully belongs tor
"You have lied to me then, and 70
', are already affianced! Tell me tt
L abode of this maiden Of yours"
what do you want it for?" he L