Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-07-20
Just Too Late

Two men were sitting on sea front,
smoking cigars and interchanging
those superficial commonplace and
condolences which we delight to bestow
on strangers.
One had been already some weeks IN
the town, and the one had only arrived
recently They were comparing notes
and impressions of the place and peo-
pie, and surprised to find that they had
little or nothing to quarrel about. AT
this moment they were discussing the
agreeable subject of pretty women.
Her face is only a blur of red,
cried Sir Marcus durham, as he adj
iusted his eyeglass and gazed pensiVe-
ly after dainty, disappearing figure.
Its all that COMPOUNDED veil" re-
piled his casual friend, Thomas G.
Sharples of American extraction. a
short. oldish man, who had made big
fortune by hard work and desperate
speculation, and in appearance resem-
bling the half-burnt stump of cigar
with a head of hair like the gray ashes
at the top.
"Veils," sighed the baronet, who was
young and handsome and an eligible
bachelor. "are the refuge OF the destl-
tute and ugly, whose characters have
survived their compilations and must
be guarded with almost as much jeal-
ousy and care. y
"But the sun, you know, plays the
mischief with pretty skin OF pink
and white, and parasols are more for
ornament than use"
. Presently Miss O'Gilvie returned and
this time for some reason her thick
veil was lifted off her face, displaying
dark hair. eyes of hazel, and radiant
ROSY cheeks, and the inimitable air oil
good breeding. Her wandering gaze
accidentally met that of the baronet
and she inadvertently, half uncon-
sciously. and wholly unintentionally
smiled, and then lowered her veil again
to hide her pretty confusion.
81 bet you thousand, Mr.. Sharples,
muttered Sir Marcus under his nous
tache. chat I WOO and win and marry
that girl before Sunday next. That Is
my future wife"
Done" exclaimed the American, ca
gerly, IAN even thousand you don't
that's So"
1t was Sunday evening, and the two
acduaintances were staying at beauti-
full Eastbourne and living at the Grand
hotel. where also was Miss O'Gilvie
with her maid Burdekin. Nor did Sir
Marcus find it hard considering how
often they were thrown together, to
make himself socially known and con-
versationally acceptable to her.
And, by a judicious expenditure OF
gold, he ascertained from the venal
Burdekin something about Miss OGil-
yie's tastes and habits, and much use
full information. She liked riding she
liked boating, she liked golf, she liked
billiards and read a good many novels.
Her pet novelist had just published
a new book, called THE Loves OF Lu-
cifer," in diary form. and full OF the
raciest reading. Naturally the baronet
procured this at the earliest opportu-
nifty. and was casually and ostenta-
tiouly absorbed in 1t when Miss O'Gil-
vie happened to pass.
Wonderful writer he innocently
observed, as she approached him; "and
this is a most successful work"
II am glad vour tastes agree with
mine. Sir Marcus" she replied, falling
readily into the baited trap.
You have anticipated me. them"
mo, indeed. / have not seen Il vet. :
Permit NE. then, to lend Il you:
know II all by heart" which was bold
statement, as he had not read single
page. and had no idea OF doing So hay-
ing a lively horror OF novels generally
May T. asked the baronet. cleverly
seizing the psychological moment
have the honor OF riding with you TO-
-..rrow2"
Il was Monday evening now.
Il shall be only too happy, Sir Mar
Gus" she answered. sweetly; "a groom
is dull companion"