The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1902-04-11
THE BORE.


THE BORE.
They drew for partners the FIRST even
ing Madge DENLY arrived at the Manor.
She opened her little slip of paper.
IL heard someone inquiring who the
dickens is Dickensr" put in Laura Rev-
erley, her hostess. II think it was Mr..
Lorrimer. He is very nice: l am sure
you will like him. He is the man who
wrote that wonderful book, The Evolu-
ton of the Thinker Talk to him about
it, and YOU will be sure to get on with
him. And she fitted away to her other
guests.
Madge looked around She had been
introduced to several people, but in the
beWilderment ct ner arrival she had not
been able to distinguish who was who.
II tall man came up to her.
Il believe you are my other half" he
said, aud then dinner was announced,
and she went in with him.
DO you know many people here?' he
asked as they sat down. The light from
the pink shaded candle fell on her face,
and he looked at her admiringly. How
more than pretty she was.
No. she replied. ''And, to tell the
truth, | am rather afraid of Laura 5
guests since she has formed this Society
Of Minds. You are so clever and all
celebrities, aren't you?'
He smiled: Are We? Then, if that
is SO, what is your particlar sphere?'
She laughed, and it was silvery
laugh-the sort of laugh that made him
wish to say something in order to pro-
woke it again.
=. People arc just like BIRDS she said,
WHO all sing ut once. There is never u
bird that listens"
I'm that case you must be rara avis
IN every sense OF the word,' he an
swered; How popular you must be!'
He looked around the table. you say
everybody her is noted for something or
other. Don't you know any of their
names? Who. for instance. is that very
misunderstanding lady opposite?'
Madge followed his glance.
isn't she thin:' she agreed. "Her face
is like two profilcs stuck together. You
can only see her when she turns side
ways. She is Miss Lowell, the writer of
that great novel which was considered
the book Of the year"
1.-The Two Ways?' do you mean? I
remember reading it. l did not care for
it,"
"Nor did I. 1t is very clever, of course,
the prime minister to the sweep. 1t is
like Il brilliantly executed piece on the
piano, when there is no feeling in it, One
feels breathless when it is finished and
wonders at the power, but it is without
soul or expression; one never wants to
hear it again"
He looked at her smiling.
'"The rara avis is u very critical list
cner," he said.
She smiled back, but wrinkled her
brows.
II think one ought to try and make
others happy she said little dreamily
land try to be as happy as possible
oneself. The world would not have been
made so beautiful if ono were not intend
ed to enjoy it,"
''Ah, but you must remember the hap
plness of great many people lies in be-
ing miserable. I know several who
would never be content without a griev-
ance." He looked around again more
critically. II don't think" he went on,
Judging from the present company, that
intellect has very happy etfect-no one
here?"
NO, I believe there is one philistine,
though casting her eyes up and down
the table. II don't know which he is,
Laura says he is the most unintellectual
and a dreadful bore. She warned me
against him.
"Poor man! What dreadful sin has he
committed to deserve such a punish
ment?'
We'll, she invited him to a meeting Of
Minds one day. I believe they all sit
around in a ring while one of them reads
paragraph out Of a very deep book, and
then pauses. and each Mind gives his or
her ideas about it,
THAT sounds very interesting. And
what did the bore do?'
"Oh, he got tired Of it very soon and
walked away, saying that if Laura did
not mind he would prefer to go and fish,
He laughed amusedly.
THAT was dreadful!' he said. "But
can't imagine why Beverley ever asks
him again.
"Ah, but there other reasons" said
Madge. "You see, the bore is Lord Ayl-
mer, and though Robert Beverley is his
likes'
'Ah, I understandable is as we'll to
keep Oh good terms with the borey'
Yes, indeed; the mere idea that he
might marry hangs like sword OF Da-
lnocles over Roberts and Laura's heads ~
ont he IS smiled nil nor And so you mean to keep
If he is bore, certainly SHALL Such
people ought to be avoided. 1t is not
good for one to be bored. nor is it good
for the bore to encourage him."
Poor Aylmer! Then, by that reason.
| ing, he will be sent to Coventry alto.
gether?'
Madge ruminated for a moment.
| "You see," she said. Il may not find
him so dull as Laura does. Boredom is a
| question of perspective. don't you think
| Now, for instance, most of the girls bore
| meat least, they did this afternoon
They all talk TALL or think they do
and don't understand them, and don't
believe they always know what they are
| saying themselves
| do they talk about their own works ??
Either that or their own thoughts and
feelings always about themselves?" She
paused a moment and looked at him
| do you know" she said, Il have beer
doing all the talking this evening, and i,
is you who have been the rara avis. 1,
is so stupid of me, for Laura said 1 was
to speak to you about your book and Their
we were certain to get on. I forgot al
about it,
| I'VE have got OH very we'll without
Which book did she mean? He watched
her with some amusement as she wrink
led her brows.
1T was the evolution of-of some
thing" she said at last.
He laughed outright.