Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-01
r1ystery of a Barmaid.


end who, as though to shut out as far
as possible the sights Of this too-Vulgar
world looked about her with eyelids
laziIy yelling one-half Of her dark-blue
eyes. This is what she was. Add
this that she had as varied fund Of
small talk and SAVIOR faire as perfect
that of any half dozen drawing-room
dowagers put together, and you will
understand what a very superior bar
maid Maggie Beaumont was.
Arthur Walton, in that dark tongue
affected by smart young men ION
Change" pronounced her "a nice littl
bit" meaning Exactly the same as Sid
ney Rock, who called her "a very
pleasant little girl" while George
Lester declared that life in the city,
but for the presence of little Maggie
Beaumont, would be-Well, unmentiOn-
able.
Only NIX Alden was silent as to the
merits Of this much appreciated young
person '-as the sisters of these gentle
men would have styled her; but then,
"Old Max only looks after the shekels, =
said Arthur Walton in explanation.
Old Max did certainly look after the
shekels, ana, if rumor spoke truly,
very good purpose; that little affair of
the Booroo gold niue meant "a cool
thou" said mis- friends and admirers
And then there was the Electric Fly
Killer Company Limited-he certainly
had not withdrawn his astute finger
from that pie without a very substantial
plum still, old Max was only q after
all, and Silence on the subject of a
lady's charms is not always sign Of
Indifference.
Come in and see the little girl
said Arthur Walton one day to Max
Alden Pom my word, I believe the
fellows shy
He turned to Sidney Rock; they eX
changed a glance, and, each taking the
reluctant Max by the arm, dragged him
int The cozy private bar of the George
and Bull.
BE kind to him, Maggie" said Wal
ton, Introducing his friend; ''he is so
shy"
Miss Beaumont shook hands with the
new comer-this is etiquette with
superior baTmaid"-and, to let him
down easily, opened conversation with
a remark OH the weather,
1t is beautiful" he agreed And
then, waxing loquacious, "Do you know
Box Hill? That's where | live Well.
| went up the hill at o'clock this
morning and it was really delightful"
"Indeed?" said Maggie. 81 can i'm
agine it was.
Come and see it one day with"
This was taking things a little too
rapidly and Arthur Walton interrupted
his friend
''You must wait your turn, old mar"
be said gravely. Miss Walton has
promised me her first vacant Sunday
for | don't know how long"
'And me, too" said Rock 81 can't
understand why that Sunday neve
comes round"
mo more can l." Arthur Walton too
him up
m sure I'm q very nice fellow for
a day on the river" said RooK-
"AEG so am t. said Walton
You both are!' said Miss Beaumoa.
emphatically.
And she spoke the truth, for these
young men, although perfectly uncon-
strained and natural in her presence,
were never-wlu the reader credit it?-
ungentlemanly.
During this talk the superior barmaid
had, with knowledge of these young
mems habits placed their different
drinks before them, and then, without
waiting for an order, brought old Max
a glass of lemonade.
"Hullo! cried Walton, who noticed
this. You sly old Max, you've been
in here beforer'
Max denied the accusation, and his
friends were bound to take his word
as final. Still, it was strange that
Maggie should have guessed his in
variable after-lunch drink.
i call it intuition" said Rock
It's telepathy," said Walton.
That implies sympathy between the
parties, doesn't it," said George Lester,
who had just joined the group.
"Oh, rarely!" laughed Maggie.
Il must be off; it's settling day"
said Max Alden.
All, now you'll rake in the sheBels,"
said Rock. ID you know" he con
tinued, turning to Maggie, when Max
was gone that fellows the best card
on change? He never seems to make
a mistake.
Il can't understand it." said Walton.
Rarely" drawled Miss Beaumont,
and the next moment she was away.
Il do wish she wouldn't say rarely :"
said Walton as he left the George and
Bull with his friend Rock It's the
only fault find with the girl A pity
he added. for she's such a nice little
bit"
"a very pleasant little girl" his
friend agreed.
Isn't her hair delicious gloss
black?"
Beg pardon, sir?" said a commits
sionaire at his side
Rock had disappeared and Walton,
glaring at the unoffending messenger.
hurried into his Office.
Later in the afternoon an elderl
gentleman-a nice old gentleman-frst
making sure that there was no loungers
about the bar, stepped in to see Miss
Beaumont, and, for greeting. he held
her hand, a pretty little hand. and
patted tin quite a grandfatherly man
ner, you underestimate least half
dozen times. Then the young lady
~ L.