Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1907-03-20

she admitted, IOlulnB ner nanuS unueI
her chin. 1T must be an interesting
life. Presto-change and all that"
"Oh, find 1t rather monotonous In
the winter; but in the summer it is
fine. Then wander about the sum
mer resorts and give exhibitions"
"You win pardon my niece" inter
polated the old gentleman, coughing a
bit nervously. IF she annoys you"
"Uncle!"-reproachfully.
Heaven forfend!" / exclaimed Gag
erly. There is a charm in doing un
conventional things; and most people
do not realize it, and are stupid"
Thank you, sir" said the girl, smil
ing. She was evidently enjoying her
self; so was l, for that matter. DO a
trick for me-" she commanded pres
emily.
smiled weakly. l couldn't have
done a trick with the cards,-not II
my life had depended upon it. But
rathar neatly extricated myself from
the trap.
Il never do any tricks out Of bust
ness hours"
Uncle, give the gentleman ten
cents; | want to see him do sleight-
of-hand trick"
Her uncle, readily entering into the
spirit of the affair, dived into pocket
and produced the piece of silver. 1t
looked as if | were caught
There! this may make 1t worth
your while" the girl said, showing the
coin in my direction.
But again managed to slide under;
was not to be caught.
1T is my regret to say,"-frowning
slightly, that regularity in my bust
ness is everything. 1t wants half an
hour for my turn to come on. If
tried a trick out of turn, | might
foozle and lose prestige. And besides,
| depend so much upon the professor
and his Introductory note: Ladies and
gents, permit me to introduce the
world-renowned Signor Fantoccini,
whose marvellous tricks have long puz-
zled all the crowned heads of Eu-
rope"
"Fantoccini," = musingly. That's
Italian for puppet show"
81 know it, but the dime museum
visitors do not. 1t makes fine i'm
preston"
She laughed and slid the dime back
to her uncle.
I'm afraid you are an impostor,"
she said.
I'm afraid so, too" I confessed,
laughing.
Then the comedy came to an end by
the appearance of our separate orders.
| threw aside the cards and proceeded
to attack my dinner, for was hungry.
From time to time l caught vague
fragments of conversation between
the girl and her uncle.
IT'S a fool idea" mumbled the old
gentleman; you will get into some
trouble or other"
THAT doesn't matter. 1t will be
like vacation,-a flash of old Rome,
where wish l were at this very mo-
ment l am determined"
This is what comes of reading ro-
mGctic novels, with a kind of grum-
BILE.
Il ADMIT there never was particle
II romance on your side Of the fam
w" the girl retorted.
Happily. There IL peace in the
house where live"
do not argue with me-"
II I'm not arguing with you; l
should be only wasting my time.
a.. simply warning you that you are
about to commit folly"
Il have made up my mind"
"Ah! In that case l have hopes"
he returned. When a woman makes
up her mind to do one thing, she gen.
orally does another. Why can't you
put aside this fool idea and go to the
opera with me?"
Il have seen Carmen in Paris,
Rome, London and New York." she
replied.
Evidently a travelled young per
son.
Carmen is your Hzvorite opera. be
sides"
Not tonight, whimsically
GO, then; but please recollect tlrat
If anything serious comes Of your
folly, i did my best to- prevent 1t. IT'S
a scatter-brained idea, and no gpnd
will come of it,. mark me-"
Il can take care of myself, "-trucaa
lently.
80 | have often been forced to OBJ
serve, "-dryly.
q wondered what 1t was all about
But, uncle dear, am becoming &c
dreadfully bored!"
THAT sounds final,~ sighed the ole
man, helping himself to the haricoti
verts. THE girl ate positively nothing
but it seems odd that you can't g
about your affairs after my own rea
sonable manner"
Il am only twenty"
The old mans shoulders rose ant
fell resignedly.
mo man has an answer for that"
| ~ .u..la- - AM xy01, axy0rvt him