Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-09-08
CHAPTER XVI.

the IIHllt DtlplN'
Nor | but It belongs to the most
beautiful creature have ever seen"
That's because you haven't seen
Una Rolfe," put in Jack, coolly. But
say Len, what has come to us? We've
caught the universal epidemic at the
same time. It's nothing wonderful in
me you know--but you-you, who
wouldn't look at woman! Have you
got II had, Len?"
every bad, Jack Yes, the time
which Rosseau calls the supremcst In
ones life, has come to me. AS a
novice In the art Of lovemakng, ]
come to you for advice"
why, It's easy enough in your case.
You know where to put your hand up
on the lady. What are you to do?
Why, disguise yourself as sweep, and
10 and sweep the chimneys at "a
Cheltenham Square, or pretend you're
the tax collector, or come to look at
the gas meter Yu'ye got half n
dozen plans, but what am to do?
I've seen the most beautiful creature
in existence and If I'm not in love
with her"
II should say you were" said Leon.
ard. gently.
found that COMPOUNDED cottage empty,
But what am to do? ! haven't the
faintest clow to her whereabouts. The
old gentleman with the Ratchet may
have murdered his whole family-her
included--Or emigrated to Australia"
1T is very strange. Didn't you
notice any sign Of n move about the
place the first you were thcre?"
mo, none. Everything looked ms II
it had been going on for hundred
years--exceptlng una-~and meant TO
80 on for another hundred, Len, I'm
afraid we've been bewitched Perhaps
It's all n dream; | haven't been down
to Hurst and you havoa't been down to
Wcrmsley. We shall wake up direct.
ly--oh, no! The poor squire! Len,
bits ali true, and we're couple of
young fools"
Speak for yourself old fellow. j.
have been fool until three days ago,
now ! am as wise as Solomon, for
have learned what love IT,"
80 have IL have Also learned the
vanity Of human wishes, and the next
thing shall have to learn will be
some way Of earning Il livelihood.
should prefer an honest one, but
poor men cant afford TO he particular,
and honesty doesn't seem to pay now.
adays feel 80 hard up and reckless
that could become n bank director or
member Of parliament without feel
Ing pang of conscience"
Leonard looked up at him. for the
vein of bitterness was plainly to be de-
tected running through Jacks banter;
and Leonard knew that when Jack
was bitter which was but once In a
year say-he was reckless.
I'VE must talk II over. SIT down
get off that table; you're making "A
perfect hash of my papers--and let's
talk II over, You won't so out to-
night"
YES, | shall shah go down to the
club"
mo, no, keep away from the club
tonight, Jack"
What are YOU afraid Of? DO YOU
think ! shall want to gamble? lveI
no money TO lose
That's the very reason you'll want
to play, Do keep ut home tonight"
y couldn't do It, old man. he said
I'm" on wircs-l'm all on fire. If II
sat here much longer | should set mp
suddenly, murder YOU, and sack the
place. The Savage has got his paint
on aad is ON the trail"
Don't be fool, Jack You arc
hot ana upset. Keep away from the
club tonight, Well, wen let the
ecarte alone, at any rate"
IAN right, I'll promise YOU that II
won't touch card tonight Ecarte,
/ couldn't play beggarmy neighbor to.
night Len. wish You were bigger
man; I'd get up row. and have Il
tunto with YOU. sit down here Il
couldn't do It, ! want to be doing
something something desperate. You
can sit here and ream over your com
plant: ! can't should 50 mad
Don't sit up for me,
Leonard looked after him as he dis
appeared into one Of the two bedrooms
which adjolned the common sitting
room, and with a shake Of his head.
muttered, Poor Jack" and returned
to his work.
Jack took cold bath dressed him.
self, and merely pausing to shout
goodnight, as he passed down tho
stairs, went into the street, and jump.
ed into hanson, telling the man To
drive to the Hawkes. Club
II was rather early for the Hawks"
and only a few of them had nuttered
in II was about the last club that
such man ms Jack should have been
a member Of II was fast, it was ex-
pensive, II was fashionable. and the
chief reason for its existence lay in the
fact that play al any time, and to any
extent, could be obtained there.