Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1906-11-15
The Antiquary'S
Paradise
BY DESMOND F. t. COKE


Ever since had read about the
place in a daily of two years ago
had fought the great temptation. 1t
was almost vanquished. when in the
second number Of a new Journal for
Collectors came upon heading,
"The Antiquary's Paradise" pro-
test, / tried not to read the article.
knew what / should f1nd--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. 1--WE must go"
she said, in grim resolve. The Female
Connoisseur has a great way with her.
"We?" | echoed duly.
you and l." was her stern answer.
tried diplomacy. | told her that
It was a long way OF. 1t was no
place for a woman (here she snorted).
1t was dirty, very dangerous. told
her that half 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 1t be fascinating?"
You must put on the very dirtiest
of clothes l said, with inspiration
dress seemed the most vulnerable
they'll raise their
prices double"
It'll be just like in book" she
cried. For a married woman the F.
G. is absurdiy ungrammatical and
youthful.
I'VE shall have to make an early
start"
l meant this as Encouragement;
she took 1t as an added joy. yes,
Wen 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
mine o'clock, on Friday next, from
here" 1 repeated vacantly, and said
"Good-by." My stock OF tact and pa
thence was exhausted. After all, I
could solve the matter by forgetting
had nearly managed to forget, in
all sincerity, on Thursday night. when
I received letter.
Il hope" It said, your eos
Aums is ready? Mine is quite q tri.
umph. This is only to remind you
We start fr0m here at nine a. m.
wet or fne."
1t was not quite closing time for
kilograms, and dashed TO the near
est post once.
NO Antiquary's Paradise II wet"
wired. Falsehood comes so easy on
telegraphic form. Then l settled
down to pray for rain. =.
James" said to the butler, II
may want calling at half-past seven
tomorrow. II It's fine. But, mind"
went on very impressively--I hope
didn't wink--'1f there should be
one drop Of rain, or any sign of drops
to come, l shall not want calling I'M
til nine o'clock. You understand" It
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
fnery.
"Half-past seven, sir" said James.
1 leaped up. What" began,
in awful anger.
"Ah, the weather." James contin-
ued Its just like summer to-day.
A rare peace O. luck, sir Not
cloud" He drew the curtain swiftly,
letting in light that hurt my eye.
trust that said nothing.
1 suddenly resolved to oversleep
myself. But, somehow, l could not
really sleep; and the thought of the
F. C.'s disappointment came to weigh
upon me. | determined to see the
matter through. But one thing. Il
would not do: l 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 I could be mistaken for a
dealer, or she, either! put on an
ordinary morning suit, and was at the
r. 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 a first glance
took her for the servant. A mackin-
tosh coat of a disreputable age,
stained and napless skirt of serge,
a cheap bead-chain, were the first
things to strike me. The F. c. curt
seyed.
Dyer like me, ALP" 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 a mani" she
laughed mot noticel"
l hate sneers at the sex. 81 did no.
tice your dress ! said, but it's as
usual Look at the hat now; that
gives you away. No common person
could ever"