Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-06-24

fully good of you to say so. Are you
sure you mean III Oh, you must tell
me--you little witch,
His Better Halt-Shan't, You're
conceited enough oh-pick, don't
You'll crush me,
(Tappiug heard on door)
Noice-Aren't you two people ready !
I'm sure it's time we We're starting,
The carriage has been round quite five
minutes.
tExeunt Capt, Dalrymple and his be-
ter half, rather shamefacedly, but evil
IDENTIFY we'll pleased with themselves)
SCENE Ill.
tSame us Scene l. Time, next day,
S:45 a. m, after the Hunt ball, Miss
nalrymple in an armchair before the
fire A tap nj the door and enter Mrs,
Dick.
Miss d. (turns half-rounGl -oh,
&C me in, Oracle, Here's lovely hre
and chair just ready for you,
Mrs. Diek-So there is, and you just
ready for chat; but | mustn't stop
long, you know It's SO late. Wiaws
chair W and settles herself comfort
ably)
Miss D.--Early, you mean Are YOU
tired?
Mrs. Dick (yawns undissuisedly)~
Don't mention it, or shall drop off to
sleep at once! Its been good dance,
hasn't it? Have YOU enjoyed it?
Miss Dts been the very, very
jolliest dance | ever went to,
Mrs Dick takes quick and search
ing glance at Miss D,)-Well, YOU can't
say any more than that, Did you
dance all the time?
Miss ID. (scans her program) not
exactly. In fact | sat out most of the
evening.
Mrs. Dick (waves her fan lazily)--Oh,
indeed! Might one ask with whom?
Miss Done might ask (Laughs)
Mis- Dick--Weil, you ought TO have
come to me, as Your chaperon, If you
were sitting out. YOU bad girl! Oh,
Nora, weren't you awfully surprised to
see Maj. Stronghold? was, and so
was Dick,
Miss d. (pokes the fire and make no
articuate reply)
Mrs Dick Caffecls blindness And,
d. YOU know, Mr. Niccars told me he
had maiden aunt, Miss ID. gives a
little start of surprise, which Mrs. Dick
interprets as an INTENDED interraption)
Oh, YOU needn't tell me most people
have, because | know thai. And about
your Aunt Horatia, the dreadful old
party who punished YOU when you
weren't naughty in case you soon
should be. Dick often talks about her.
Dear me, what was 10 say. do YOU re-
member?
Miss d, (demurc.y)~ were telling
me what Mrs. Niccara said about Maj
Strongford's maiden aunt.
Mrs. Dick--So | was. Mrs, Niccars
SAYS that she had lot If money ana
that she died not long ago and left
it all to Maj. Stronghold, And Mrs. Vic
cars thinks-but she told me not to
mention it, so YOU must be sure not to
repeat this 10 any one-th3t Mai.
Stronghold well, Influenced her good
deal and then took care that none OF
her other relations should have a
chance o. coming near her. And
Miss D. scarlet and indignant Mrs
Viccars is an abomnable, gossiping
wicked old woman, How can she tell
such fearful stories. and how can you
believe a word she says when YOU know
she never speaks the truth except by
accident? II isn't ae If he deserved i
in the very least His aunt was old
and III. and she hadn't a penny. ana he
sent her to the Riviera and was aw-
fully good to her and she adorcd him
And then Mrs Niccals SAYS such a
thing Perhaps every one won't believe
her ! wish ! had her here, Pokes fire
viciously)
Mrs Dick very quietly never said
! | believed her But how do YOU come
10 know so much about Maj Strong
ford's affairs. Nor,' who told YOU?
Miss Die toIG me part of It him
self, and | guessed the rest--and I've
promised 10 marry him. Oracle
Pauses. then, as Mrs. Dick sits in
stony silence) Won't you wish me iov
dear? He's the only nan I ever cared
for
Mrs Dick (still quietly and unsym-
pathe 'icallv)-Oh yes. I'll wish You
joy But I am afraid wishing won''
bring It. I should like to know what
ven uurnOsn living Ono
Miss D. With Hugh's and my money
we ought to have enough, though we
sha'a't be exactly wealthy. Not that we
mind that.
Mrs Dick (despondently) Nobody
ever does-at first. ! don't see that
your five years experience has done
you any good. When are you going to
be married? ! suppose you've arranged
all that?
Miss Doh, no, we haven't. wanted
to ask you about ever so many things.
But Hugh is ordered to India in two
months time and is very anxious
should go with him Oh, Oracle, do be
your own dear self and tell me you are
glad for me TO be SO happy. | could
rryor lilo anv ono al za-and it'a henn