Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-07-20
Just Too Late.


Two men were sitting on a 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 ad-
justed his eyeglass and gaZed pensive-
ly after a dainty, disappearing figure.
cts 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 a 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 desti-
tute and ugly, whose characters have
survived their compilations and must
be guarded with almost as much jeal-
ousy and care"
"But the sun, you know, plays the
mischief with a pretty skin of pink
and white, and parasols are more for
ornament than use
Presently Miss OGilvie 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 of
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.
Il bet you thousand Mr. Sharples, y
muttered Sir Marcus under his nous
tache. chat WOO and win and marry
that girl before Sunday next. That is
my future wife"
Ozone" exclaimed the American. ca
gerly, IAN even thousand you don't
that's So"
1t was Sunday evening, and the two
acQuaintances 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 O'Gil-
vie'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
cifer," in diary form, and full of the
raciest reading. Naturally the barone
procured this at the earliest opportu
nifty. and was casually and ostenta
tiouly absorbed in it when Miss O'Gil
vie happened to pass.
wonderful writer" he innocently
observed, as she approached him; 'anC
this is a most successful work"
81 am glad your tastes agree will
mine. Sir Marcus" she replied, fallin:
readily into the baited trap.
''You have anticipated me, them"
mo, indeed have not seen it yet.
Permit me. then, to lend it you;
know it all by heart" which was boil
statement, as he had not read a singh
page, and had no idea of doing so, hav
ing a lively horror Of novels generally
May l." asked the baronet, cleverl!
Selling the psychological moment
have the honor of riding with you to
morrow"
1t was Monday evening now.
Il shall be only too happy, Sir Mar
GUS" she answered, sweetly; "a groom
is dull companion.
Let me provide the mount, Mis-
O'Gilvie, as l know all about every de
cent horse for hire in Eastbourne, an
I will get you the best possible.
SO 1t was arranged pleasantly be
tween them, and at l o'clock the
started from the Grand in the directio
of Pevensey. 1t was a perfect morn
ing in September, and a cool, fres
breeze was blowing.
''She is darling" said Miss O'Gi
vic as they trotted merrily alon
through the eastern end of the tow
"and goes like little angel"