The Ordway new era., 1906-11-02
It seemed almost inevitable.


Ihad fought the great temptation, II
was almost yanquished. when in the
second number of new Journal for
Collectors l came upon heading
The AntiGuary's Paradise. pro
test. tried not to read the article
knew what | should hnd-the glo-
ries OF the Friday curio-mart In the
Metropolitan meat market ! was de-
termined not TO read It, But | did.
Then told the Female Connoisseur.
and my fate was fixed We must go.
she said. In grim resolve. The Female
Connoisseur has a great way with her.
rWe?" | echoed duly.
You and l." was her stern answer.
| | tried diplomacy. | told her that
It was a long way off. 1t was no
place for a woman therc she snorted).
1t was dirty. very dangerous. | told
her that half the mysterious disap-
pcaranccs In the city were from that
part Of town.
! This seemed only to rouse the spirit
OF romance in her. Her eyes Elis'
tened oh won't 1t he fascinaunE?'
"You must put on the very dirtiest
OF clothes" | said, with Inspiration
dress seemed the most vulnerable
/ theyu raise their
prices double"
"Itn be just like in a book" she
cried. For a married woman the F
| c. Is absurdiy ungrammaucal and
youthful
We shall have to make an early
start"
r,a,. ,Lt- ,. ,g,rg,,,rrs ,,s,,,,,p,-
she took It as an added JOY. Yes.
wo1l creep out in our old things, with
the mIlkman. Let's say nine o'clock.
on Friday next. from here
This seemed TO cliuch tho matter.
Nine O'Clock. on Friday next, from
here l repeated yacautly. and said
"Good.by." My stock Of tact and pa
tiencc was exhausted. After all, |
could solve the matter by forgetting.
had nearly managed ia forget, In
all sincerity. on Thursday night, when
I received a letter.
Il hope" II said. your cos.
tumo Is ready? Mine Is quite tri.
umph. This is only 90 remind you.
We start from here At nine a. m.
wet or fine"
II was not quite closing time Tor
tclegTams, and | dashed 10 the near.
est post office.
No Antiquary's Paradise II wet" /
wired. Falschood comes so easy on
a telegraphic form. Then settled
down to pray for rain.
James" | said 10 the butler. Il
may want calling at half,past seven
tomorrow. II it's fine But. mind.
went on very impressiyely- hope
Il didn't wink-"if there should be
one drop OF rain. or any sign OF drops
TO come, shall not want calling un.
til nine O'Clock. You understand" II
would not be my fault II James failed
TO wake me
My conscience was entirely easy
when James came in next morning.
merely felt a little sorry for the Fe-
male Connoisseur. alone in all her
fincry.
"Halfpast seven. sir" said James.
| leapcd up. what" / began.
in awful anger.
"Ah. the weather." James contin.
ued. It's Just like summer to-day.
A rare peace o. luck. sir. Not
letting in a light that hurt my eye
suddenly resolved to oversleep
myself But, somehow. could not
really sleep; and the thought Of the
+. C''s disappointment came 20 weigh
upon me. determined to see the
matter through. But one thing I
would not do: would not Indulge
her by putting on absurd. odd clothes,
a dirty collar. and the rest. What
was the use Of it? She had said they
would take us. then. for dealers. As
though | could be mistaken for
dealer, or she. either! I put on an
ordinary morning suit, and was at the
F. C.'s house by nine O'Clock.
She must have been most eager for
the trip, for she was ready. and opened
the front door. At first glance /
took her for the servant. A mackln.
tosh coat OF disreputable age. a
stained and napless skirt OF serge.
cheap bead-chain. were the first
things to strike me. The F. c. curt.
seyed.
Dyer like me. Alf?" she smiled.
Such playfulness SO soon after
breakfast struck me as close upon
immoral. Looking back. perhaps
was in rather an unpleasant mood
Il didn't notice anything different,
/ said.
The F. c. kept agreeable-she al
ways does. How like q mani" she
laughed. Not notice"
hate sneers at the sex. II did no
tice your Dress" / said. but it's ms
usual Look at the hat, now; that
gives you away. No common person
could ever"
YES" she Interrupted. pleasantly
but coldly, II borrowed 1t from Liz
the kitchen maid" Then she stepped
back. "Oh, but admit you're bet
| pr1o Xta-tha ha0ov ~,