Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-04-07
I[f]LEleMR. 100.
a Society Hovel.
NAME coRELL
a Society Hovel.
Continued,
-.-0N.
MARsa coREtLj.

An hour later he stood in the office
Of the Snake, courteously inquiring
fer Mr. Snawley-Gruhhs. Apparently
he had come on horseback, for he
held riding-whip in his hand,-the
very whip Burlington had left with
him the previous day. The inky,
dirty, towzle-headed boy who presided
III solitary grandeur over the Snakes
tingy remises, stared at him inquir-
.fgly,--visitors of his distinguished
arre arance and manner being
father uncommon. Those who usually
had business with the great Gruhos
were of different type altogether
some of them discarded Wallets or foot
men. who came to gain half a crown
or five shillings by offering infor-
nation as to the doings OF their late
masters and mistresses. shabby
"Supers" from the theatres, who had
secured the last bit Of scandal concern
ing some celebrated stage or pro-
fessional beauty"-sporting men and
t, RI gamblers of the lowest class, --un-
Cuocessful dramatists and small verse
writers-these, with now and then a
few ladies of the bar-room
ballet, and demi-monde, were the sort
OF persons who daily sought private
converse with Grubbs-and Beau Love-
lace, with his massive head fine mus
"Ilar figure, keen eyes, and self-assert-
i've mein, was quite a novel specimen
of manhood for the wondering obser-
walton of the Office boy, who scrambled
,ff his high chair with haste and some
thing of respect as he said
What name, sir please?"
Beaufort Lovelace," said the gentle
man, with bland smile. Here Is
my card. Ask Mr.. Grubbs whether he
can see me for a few minutes. II he
T. congratulations generally are en-
gaged-tell him III wait"
The boy went off in a greater hurry
than ever. The name OF Lovelace was
quite familiar to him-he knew him,
rot as distinguished novelist, but
as i'm who makes such n precious
lot of money" And he was breathless
with excitement when he reached the
IN all editorial chamber at the top of
a dark narrow fight Of stairs, wherein
sat the autocratic Snawley, smiling
sauvely over a heap of letters and dis
ordered MSS. He glanced at the card
which his ink smeared attendant pre-
serted him.
"Ah, indeed" he said condescend-
ingly Observation-Disclosures? oh, yes
suppose it must be the novelist Of
IL at name-yes! show him up"
Shown up he was accordingly, He
entered the room with firm tread
and closed the door behind him
"How do you do, my dear sir" ex-
claimed Grubbs warmly. "You are
we'll known to me by reputation!
am charmed to make the
personal acquaintance Of one who is
yea-let me say who is brother In
literature! Sit down, beg Of you'll
And he waved his hand towards a
chair, thereby displaying the great
rings that glistened on his podgy
fingers.
Beau, however. did not seat him
self-he only smiled very coldly and
coptemptuously,
I'VE can discuss the fraternal nature
of our relationship afterwards" he
said satirically. Business first. Pray
eir,''-here he drew from his pocket
the last number of the Snake--"art
" u the writer Of this paragraph"
He pointed to 1t, as he flattened the
journal and laid it in front of the
ed'tor on the desk. Mr.. Snawley
G1bbs glanced at it and smiled un
concernedly.
! No | am not. But happen tC
kpow that it is perfectly correct
/ received the information on the high
est-the very highest and most cred
IDLE authority"
Indeed" and Beaus lip curlec
harghtily, while his hand clenchec
the riding-whip more firmly. "TheI
allow me to tell you, sir, that 1t II
utterly false in every particular-more
over-that II is a gross libel, published
with deliberate intent to injure thos'
whom 1t presumes to mention,-ar
that. whoever wrote it,-you. sir, yo'
alone are responsible for most mis-
3hievous, scandalous, and damnabl'
lie!"
Mr.. Grubbs was in no wise discon
certed. Honest indignation honestly
expressed, always amused him--ll'
was amused now.
You're unduly excited, Mr.. Love
lace" he 3aid with a little laugh
Permit me TO remark that your Ian
guage is rather Interchangeable
too strong under the circumstances
However. you're a privileged person
genius Is always a little mad, or shal
we say.-eccentric? suppose yol
are a friend OF Sir Philip Errington
end you naturally feel hurt-yes- yes
/ I quite understand! But the scourg'
OF the press-the wholesome. puri.
flying scourge, cannot be withheld ou
OF consideration for private or person
a. feelings. Mono! There's a higher
l a. . ;