Gilpin observer., 1906-11-22
The Antiquary's
Paradise
By DESMOND F. T. COKE
Copyright. by Joseph B. Bowles.) )
t seemed almost inevitable.


was almost vanquished. when in the
Collectors l came upon heading
THE Antiquary's Paradise" l pro
test. l tried not to read the article
! knew what / should find-the glo.
ries of the Friday curio-mart in the
Metropolitan meat market. | was de.
termined not to read it. But l did
Then told the Female Connoisseur,
and my fate was fixed. I'VE must go,
she said, in grim resolve. The Female
Connoisseur has a great way with her.
"We?" l echoed duly.
You and l." was her stern answer.
| tried diplomacy | told her that
it was long way off 1t was no
place for woman (here she snorted).
1t was dirty, very dangerous | told
her that haTf the mysterious disap.
pearances in the city were from that
part of town.
This seemed only to rouse the spirit
of romance in her Her eyes glis-
tened. "Oh! won't it be fascinating?"
You must put on the very dirtiest
of clothes" / said, with inspiration
otherwise they'll raise their
prices double"
It'll be just like in a book" she
cried. For a married woman the F.
c. Is absurdly ungrammatical and
youthful
I'VE shall have to make an early
start
meant this as discouragement;
she took it as an added joy. Yes,
we'll creep out in our old things. with
the milkman. Let's say nine o'clock,
on Friday next. from here"
This seemed to clinch the matter
Nine O'Clock, on Friday next, from
here" | repeated vacantly. and said
"Good-by." My stock of tact and pa
tience was exhausted. After all,
could solve the matter by forgetting
| had nearly managed to forget, in
all sincerity, on Thursday night. when
| received letter
Il hope" it said. your cos
tune is ready? Mine is quite a tri-
umph. This is only to remind you
We start from here at nine a. m,
wet or fine
1t was not quite closing time for
kilograms. and l dashed to the near
es. post Office.
NO Antiquary's Paradise if wet"
wired Falsehood comes so easy on
a telegraphic form. Then I settled
down to pray for rain.
James," I said to the butler, II
may want calling at half-past seven
tomorrow. il it's fine. But. mind"
| went on very impressively-I hope
l 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 1t
would not be my fault if James failed
to wake me.
My conscience was entirely easy
when James came in next morning
l merely felt little sorry for the Fe-
male Connoisseur. alone in all her
finery.
"Half-past seven. sir" said James.
| leaped up. What" l began,
in awful anger.
'Ah. the weather." James contin-
ued. It's just like summer to-day.
A rare peace O. luck. sir. Not a
cloud" He drew the curtain swiftly,
letting in a light that hurt my eye.
trust that said nothing.
suddenly resolved to oversleep
myself. But, somehow. could not
really sleep: and the thought of the
upon me. determined to see the
matter through. But one thing
would not do: would not indulge
her by putting on absurd. odd clothes
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 q
dealer, or she, either. | put on al
ordinary morning suit. and was at the
F. C.'s house by nine o'clock.
She must have been most eager fol
the trip. for she was ready. and opened
the front door. At Il first glance
took her for the servant A mackin
tosh coat of a disreputable age, ;
stained and napless skirt OF serge
cheap bead-chain. were the frs
things to strike me. The F. c. curt
seyed ."O~- ~
Oyer like me. ARR" she smiled
Such playfulness so soon aftc
breakfast struck me as close upoi
immoral. Looking back. perhaps
was in rather an unpleasant mood
Il didn't notice anything different.
| said.
The F. c. Kept hsNeeable-she a
ways does. How like u man." sh
laughed. Not Aotice!"
hate sneefs at the sex II did ne
tice your DRESS" l said. but it's a
usual. hook at the hat, now; tina
gives You away. No common perso
could ever"
YES" she Interrupted, pssasantl,
but coldly. Il borrowed II from Lii