Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-01-27

RCCnQ aSaln-lnoFe quickly --uoM
break the circle in centre-enter Miss
We're" he paused growing still red
lie. in the face, and demanded, Where
IS Miss Vere?"
He was standing just beneath the
painted bough of the sham tree, and
in one second his hat was deXterouSly
kicked off, and two heels met with n
click round his neck.
Here | am, pickaninny"' retorted
Miss We're, holding him fast in this
novel embrace amid the laughter OF
the supers. You're getting rs blind
as Tommy! Steady. steady now, don
-steady-whoa!" And in trice
she stood upright, one foot planted
firmly on each of his shoulders.
NO weight, am l, darling? she went
On Jeeringly, and with an inimitably
6erisive air she put up an eye-glass and
surveyed the top OF his head You
want wig, my dear-you do, indeed!
Gene with me tomorrow, and III buy
you one to suit your complexion. Your
wife won't know you!"
And with vigorous jump she sprang
down from her position, managing to
give him a smart hit on the nose as
she did so-aud leaping to the center
o: the stage, she posed herself to COM
mence her dauce-when Tommy came
creeping back in his slow and dismal
fashion, bearing something in pewter
pot.
That the ticket" she cried as she
perceived him. Pm as dry as a whole
desert! Give it here!" And she
snatched the mug from the feeble hand
of her messenger and began drinking
eagerly.
The little red-faced man interposed.
Now, Miss Vi" he said. lis that
brandy?"
Rather SOL" returned the We're, with
a knowing wink, land a good many
things besides. It's a mixture. The
'Vere's OWN Ha, Ha! Might be the
name of a regiments"
And she buried her mouth and nose
again in the tankard.
Look here said the little man
again. why not wait till after the
dance? It's bad for you before
"Oh, is it, indeed" screamed Violet,
raising her face, which became sud
denly and violently flushed. 80 good
Lord! Are you temperance preach
er? Teach your granny Bad for me-?
Say another word, and I'll box your
ears for you! You braying jackass!--
you snivelling idiot! Who makes the
Brilliant draw? You or |? Tell me
that, you staring old"
Here Tommy, who had for some
minutes been vainly endeavoring to at
tract her attention, raised his weak
voice to feeble shout.
II say, Miss We're! I've been trying
to tell you, but you won't listen!
There's lady waiting to see you!"
"a WHAT" she asked.
"a ladyn' continued Tommy, in loud
tones. "A lady of title! Wants to
see you in private Won't detain you
long,"
more, and drained off it's contents.
Lord, amt | honored!" she said,
smacking her lips with a grin. "A
lady OF title to see! Let her wait!
Now them" and swapping her fingers,
she began to dance, ana went through
it to the end, with her usual vigor and
fIankness. When she had finished,
she turned to the redfaced man who
had watched her evolutions with much
delight In spite OF the abuse she had
heaped upon him, and said with an
affected, Sinking drawl-
SHOW the lady of title into my
dressing-room! shall be ready for
her in ten minutes. Be sure to men
ton that | am very shy,-and unac-
customed TO company"
And, giggling gently like an awk-
ward schoolgirl, she held down her
head with feigned bashfulness and
stepped mineingly across the stage
with such ludicious air Of prim pro-
priety that all her associates burst out
laughing and applauded her vocifer-
ously. She turned and curtsied to
them demurely-then suddenly raising
one leg in a horizontal position, she
twirled it rapidly in their faces, then
she gave little shocked cough behind
Ter han |. grinned, and vanished.
When, in the stipulated ten minutes,
she was ready to receive her unknown
visitor, she was quite transformed.
She had arraysd herself in trailing
gown OF rich black velvet, fastened at
the side with jet clasps-a cluster OF
| natural. innocent, white violets nestled
IN the fall OF Spanish lace at her throat
her face was pale with pearl-powder
and she had eaten a couple Of scent
ed bon bons to drown the smell Of her
recent brandy-tipple. She reclined
gracefully in an easy chair. pretending
TO read. and she rose with an admir-
ably acted air of startled surprise, az
one OF the errand boys belonging to the
Brilliant tapped at her door, and In an
swer to her Come in" announced
Lady Winsleigh!"
faint sweet questioning smile