The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1907-02-06
CHAPTER i.-continued.

DIT nerVouSly. II Sne annOyS you
Uncle!"-reproachf
Heaven forfend!" ! exclaimed Gag
erly. There is charm in doing I'M
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 n
trick for me-" she commanded pres
emily.
l smiled weakly. couldn't have
done a trick with the cards,-not If
my life had depended upon it. But
rather 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 a sleight-
of-hand trick"
Her uncle, readily entering into the
spirit of the affair. dived into a pocket
and produced the piece of silver. 1t
looked as If l were caught.
There! this may make it 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 l
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"
Il 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" | confessed.
laughing.
Then the comedy came to an end by
the appearance of our separate orders.
i 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.
Its a fool idea" mumbled the old
gentleman; you will get into some
4, trouble or other"
THAT doesn't matter. 1t will be
like vacation.-a fash of old Rome.
. where / wish l were at this very mo-
ment. am determined"
This is what comes of reading ro-
mantle novels, kind of grum-
BILE.
Il admit there never was a particle
of romance on your side of the fam
fly" the girl retorted.
Happily There is peace in the
house where live"
DO not argue with me-"
Il am not arguing with you;
should be only wasting my time.
am simply warning you that you are
about to commit folly"
II have made up my mind"
"Ah, In that case | 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 30 to the
opera with me?'
Il have seen Carmen in Paris,
Rome. London and New York" she
replied.
Evidently a travelled young per-
SOM
Carmen is your favorite opera, be-
sides"
Not tonight, "-whimsically.
Go then; but please recollect that
If anything serious comes of your
folly, did my best to prevent it It's
scatter-brained idea. and no good
will come of 1t, mark me-"
Il can take care of myself"
lently.
so / have often been forced to OBJ
O,rve."-dryly.
q wondered what it was all about)
But, uncle dear. l am becoming so
dreadfully bored!"
That sounds final,'' sighed the old
man, helping himself to the haricots
verts. CThe girl ate positively nothingD
But it seems odd that you can't go
about your affairs after my own rea-
sonable manner"
Il am only twenty"
The old mans shoulders rose and
fell resignedly.
No man has an answer for that"
Il promise to tell you everything
that happens: by telegraph"
That's small comfort. Imagine re-
ceiving a telegram early in the morn
ing, when a mans brain is without in
vention or coherency of thought! /
would that you were back home with
your father. l might sleep o nights,
then"
Il have so little amusement!
You work three hours day and
earn more in a week than your father
and do in a month. Yours is a very
unhappy lot
Il hate the smell of paints; l hate
the studio"
And l suppose you hate your
/ fame?" acridly.
Bah! that is my card to living.
The people l meet bore me-"
Not satisfied with common folks,
Ell? Must have kings and queens to
talk to?"
Il only want to live abroad, and you
and father will not let me,'-petu-