Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-12-28

III you Iniuh III DlluuJ lOIhS. IL
not clever like some of your swell
friends, but I'm not a fool. I've got
eyes, like other women, and perhaps
they're sharper than some. | car
see something is the matter. | saw
1t the moment | rode up to you in the
park today, and I've been watching
you all the evening"
You'd make a decent detective
Fin he said, trying to speak banter
ingly
Il dare say" she assented, most
women would, especially II they knew
the man they were after as / know
you"
yes, we are old friends, Fin, he
said
That's it," she said, and that $
why / ask you what's the matter
what's happened Some men would
put me off or give me the lie, but you
amt like that Yorke.'
Thanks and he laughed.
mo, you always go straight, and
that's one of the reasons why like
you, don't you see?'
Il see" he said. And SO you
thought ! looked this morning as il
Id got something ON my mind?"
Yes; when | came up you were
leaning against the rail- looking at
nothing, as if you were dreaming and;
while you were speaking to Lady
Eleanor"
You don't like me 10 speak OF
herr" she said, with a woman's quick
ness "All right; ] shant hurt you
by mentioning her name"
Don't be foolish, Fin" he sa!1,
coloring at the truth Of her insight.
He did not like to hear her mention
Lady Elcanor's name.
"Oh, I'm not foolish was saying
that you looked at her adyship Just
as you looked at me, as II YOU didn' t
see either of us, as If you We're look
ling right away beyond us; and it's
been the same tonight. You haven't
heard half what was going on, but
have just been incoming and dreaming;
and 40 ask YOU what is 1t? Wait
d minute. If you're going to tell me
it's money matters, you needn't for
shouldn't believe you. If the baiIifIs
were in the house, you wouldn't let it
trouble you, you know"
I'm afraid ! shouldn't he adj
mitted.
VERY We'll she said; then 1t isn't
Ithat-though you are hard up, and
pretty deep in debt, Ell, Yorker"
"Of course, he said. Always have
been, and shall be; everybody knows
that"
And SO you're used to it, and don't
mind it, she went on 1T isn't that,
then. what IS it?'
you don't Ike making clean
breast of it" she said slowly, and
you think it like my cheek to ask you.
But am an old friend, aren't |? I'm
only Finetta, the girl that dances at
the Diadem, but I've got feeling that
I'm a better friend to You than many
of your swell ones. ! dare say they
think I'm u bad lot, and that I've done
you no end of harm. Perhaps | have
I've let YOU come here when you liked,
and take me about riding and drivilg
when you ought to have been win
them; but don't know, after all, that
I've hurt you very much. ] dare say
could if I'd like. You'd have given me-
things like Charlie Farquhar if I'd
let YOU but | didn't. was a fool,
perhaps sometimes ! think am.
llut-b but You see liked you. | didn't
care for the others; they We're noth-
ing TO me- and 1t wouldn't have mat
tered If they'd spent their last shilling
on rings and flowers and things But
with you it was different; | don't know
quite why her eyes sunk thought
fully. Perhaps It was because Non
always treated me like a lady, aud
didn't bother me to run of with YOU or
or marry YOU
Her voice softened and dash II
color came into her olive checks.
You'd have made Il poor bargain +
/ had and you'd consented, Fin" ho
said, gravely.
l uufe say, Sile dSSShiCu' ANY
how, YOU didn't, and don't mean to.
Don't deny 1t. know how you've Al
ways thought of me- I've been just
Finetta Of the Diadem, and its been
pleasant and amusing TO take me
about and come and have supper and
and that's all. She rised her eyes
to his face with smile-a brave smile
that did not hide her aching hear!
from him, And we've been such
very good friends" she went on, after
Ia pause, THAT | speak out straight
and plain when | see that something
is the matter, and ask you what II Il,
And If YOU take my advice you7l tell
me. Who lnows?--I might be able 70
help You II YOU want any help, D0r'N
laugh. WHAT that story about the
lion and the mouse? I'm only a mouse,
Il know, and you are no end of a lion,
but YOU may find yourself in net
some day, don't you know
Her tome was Slanyy huf thpvp M9S