The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-01-09
HER BATHING SUIT.

"And is there anything can do for
you. Cynthiap" She hesitated moment,
and then answered.: "Yes, there is,
Colville, if you don't mind"
my darling, I shall be delighted"
He tried to speak as If he meant what
he said. but it required an effort. Gym
thia was not only dear, good girl, but
he was engaged to her. According to
the novel, he should have flung him
self at her feet when she preferred her
request, and vowed to go through fire
and water to accomplish her most
trihing wish. But Colville was an Or
dinary, everyday individual. and the
prospect of executing a number of awk-
ward and silly commissions and of lug
ging lot of parcels from London to
Folkestone didn't appeal to him. He
was compelled to ask the question, how
ever. hoping that Cynthia would give q
negative reply. To his disappointment
she did precisely the opposite.
SThe jewelers'P" he suggested, hope
fully.
Cynthia shook her head
Il want you to go to Nine. Rossi-in
Bond street, you know"
"Yes, dear" he muttered, family,
picturing to himself box of gigantic
and ungainly proporons done up in
brown paper.
There's little"-she emphasized the
last word, and Colville gave vent to a
sigh of relief-"parcel for me, dear.
Would you like to know what it isp OF
course, if we were not engaged, dear,
shouldn't think of telling you; but now,
of course, 1t doesn't matter. It's new
bathing dress-there!"
How jolly" said Colville, family.
Something wonderfully original and
fetching. Nine. Rossi has designed it
especially for me, and there won't be
another like it made this season. Nine.
Rossi has promised me that, Won't all
the other girls be jealous?"
Horribly: But I'm afraid must be
off now My train goes in three min
utes: Good-by" -
The down express from London was
late in starting, and, as usual,a number
OF people just managed to catch it by
the skin of their teeth. Colville was on
the point of lighting a cigar, when the
door of his compartment was flung
open, there was mingling of mascu.
line and feminine voices, frou-f1ou of
silk, of lace, a rush and tumble and
banging of doors. and little woman
and dozen bags and parcels fell in a
confused heap on the seat opposite him.
"Confound it," muttered Colville. az
he extinguished the match, which he
was about 10 apply to his cigar; q
woman!"
he opened his newspaper and
scowled.
Il beg your pardon" whispered a
still, small voice. dashed with Just the
slightest and most chic tinge of French
accent. "but can you pleese tell me If
zis is ze right train for Volkes-stonep"
Colville looked up. The little woman
had settled herself and her packages and
was gazing at him with a smile that
showed her white teeth to the best ad-
vantage. From the pink lips, Col
ville's eyes travelled to the black curls
falling over the white forehead. to the
piquant hat topping the shapely head, to
the little pink ears, and black eyes. and
then to the well-fitting, blue-serge frock,
the fawn gloves, and brown shoes.
Having finished his tour of inspection.
he managed to mur1nur, "Yes," where
upon the little woman expressed her
gratitude and smiled afresh.
The simple inquiry and the equally
simple reply thereto broke the ice. and
from that moment, as the reporters say,
the conversation became general.
"You will come and see me at Volkes-
stone. ehp" asked the little Frenchwom-
an. presently.
Come and see your" repeated Col
Vile, somewhat taken aback by the in.
vitstion. He would like to have done
30, certainly. but he was hardly a free
agent. He was engaged to Cynthia, he
mustn't forget that. And Cynthia'z
mother, Lady Mango. was an austere
puritan of the black-satin dress and
crape-bonnet variety. He mustn't for.
get that And he didn't.
L should be delighted, " he murmured,
~but-"
"Oh, do not be afraid, p" she said, laugh
Ing gayly. Il do not mean in private.
Oh no! That would be shocking. But
In public"
"Public-"
"Yees. At ze Aquarium. But you
must come early, or all re seats will be
taken. Everybody will come to see
Mile. Mimi"
What the Human Mermaide"
The little woman laughed.
Tooki" she said, unrolline a big sheet
Of paper, and holding up Tor bis In
Psc1cn gorgeous poster, represent.
1aR eS8SH young pS~son dad in o