Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-11-21
Mrs. Duane's Secretary.
What is Phil readiug?"


Mrs. Raymond tipped her head and
looked intenuy at her brother. But
evidently her look was not Satisfac-
tory, for, after few moments. during
which he continued TO stroke his mus.
tache and gaze at the note in his
hand, she said: What in the world
are you reading, Phil:" Mrs. Duane
accepts with pleasure Mrs. Raymonds
kind invitation for the evening of the
2lst." Mrs. Raymond was more per-
picked than ever. What did her
brother find SO interesting in Il per-
fecuy formal note of acQuain-
lance. She continued her china paint
ing, with just the shadow of 4 line be
tween her pretty eyebrows. Pres
emily he came over and sat down on
the divan near her table. Il should
like to know the writer of that note,
Minchen Its an acceptance, so I'll
see her tomorrow night"
\ few moments later he sauntered
out of the room. whiStling softly.
When the portiere fell behind his tail
figure Mildred Raymond put down
the cup she had been painting and
leaned back with 4 decidedly troubled
look on her pretty face. Phil was a
subject of much anxiety to her at
times. To be sure. she was conSid-
erably his Junior and he had petted
her all his life. She had scarcely
been out a year when she became
engaged to Jack Raymond, and. al
though he continued the petting pro-
cess as begun by her brother and par
ents, Mis-. Raymond, while keeping
all the sweetness and daintinesS of
her girlhood, had developed into a
very knowing little woman Of the
world, holding an undiSputed sway
among the upper ten and having,
moreover, the desirable reputation of
being exclusive Phil often declared
that she was at least ten years his
senior in the greatness of her wisdom
Her chief care was her brother. She
plainly saw that he was an extremely
eligible parti and worried herself en-
tremcly as to whom he should and
N''''l NV 'A''i' as - l'li' ~
showed the utmost Indifference to all
such matters. He had comfortable
Income, SOue little talent for paint
Ing, a decided literary taste, was Il
fine lawyer, when he chose to prac-
tice. and a good all round fellow He
had studied law at home, that is 10
say in New York city. and art in
Paris for n couple Of years. where he
had learned little, but enjoyed him
self immensely; written several not
ably clever stories and illustrated
them with no mean show of talent.
He had made two trips around the
world; had spent some time IN India
ana other remote corners of the earth
and at the age of 30 had settled down
to his law practice with an excellent
partner Society adorcd him and. in
a negligent way, he 'ked society. He
was courteous and attentive to all
the fair sex. but it was said that he
never paid to any woman serious at
tcntion, barring several tlirtationS
during his college days. which were
Of course desperate at the time.
Just at present he was enjoying his
holiday with his sister in a pretty
continental city. where Il large num-
Der of English and Americans were
settled. He had been here week
but, try as she might. his sister had
not been able to draw him any nearer
the social whirl than a daily drive
with her in the afternoon. Meantime
she had sent out cards for small re
ceptior, hoping to interest her brother
in ore Of the American girls who
We're 1T C. She had not invited
Beatrice Duane because she wanted
to- but because she had to. She was
not at all tn" woman for Phil, and
here he was interested in her before
Re had met her. and such n thing
with him meant more than it would
have meant with most men. All over
simple note. "What could he have
found in that note to arouse his in
terost SOP In fact, so deeply did 1t
annoy her that had there been any
way of dccently doing so she would
have put off her reception. But then.
as the wise little woman reflected, it
would Only put off the evil day and
whet his curiosity.
The reception was over. 1t had
been success, of course. Mrs Ray
mCDd's affairs always were. Her
l,nn> hal boon fun, but not crowded:
there had been goodly sprinkling
Of celebrities; the house had never
looked loveIier. the supper waS pnr-
feet, and everything had gpn"
smoothly. Yet as size threw herself
back among the soft cushions in her
boudoir her pretty eyes looked es
though they might be the reservoir
of veXatious tears. 1t was too an
moving, Jack He paid her more At
tention than | have seen him pay to
any one woman in my life" And
Jack, who at first had been inclined
10 laugh al his wifc's tears. Strokcd
his fair muStachc and looked thought
full.
During the following weeks matters
did NOT imuroVp Chance favored