Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-08-18

Long before eight he mad dressed
himself IN his best clothes, consist
ing of hideously light pair of lilac
trousers with black stripe down
the side, cutaway coat of dark
claret, patent leather boots, and a
silk hat with broad turned-up brim.
This attire, aided by bright blue
necktie, with large brass pin. a
thick chain of the same material. an
unreal diamond ring, and a. silver
top walking-stick, completed what
Mr. Sinclair considered a remarkably
neat and effective "get up
It was effective, certainly, for it
nearly gave the porter at Maurice's
a fit when Mr.. Sinclair walked into
the hall and demanded to be taken to
| the Marquis of Merle.
"The Marquis of Merle!' repeated
the porter, staring vacantly at the
vulgar apparition, and his dismay
was echoed by couple of footmen
and waiter who stood near. You
want to see the Marquis of Merle!
Good heaven! my man, the marquis
can't see such as you at this hour If
you've got a bill or anything, send it
in the usual way"
Mr.. Sinclair got red and drew him.
self up.
i Its the chap who talked to the
marquis as he was getting into the
cab this morning" remarked one OF
the footmen; 81 saw him."
eyes, you saw me talkin' to my
| friend, the marquis. my good man"
said Mr.. Sinclair, pompously. And
you'll hear more than you care to
| if you don't take my card up" and he
handed it to the man.
The footman took it gingerly, and
glanced from one to the other of his
fellows obviously.
Perhaps it is some racing man."
said one of them, struck with
bright idea. "Take his card up,
James. If it amt right, the marquis
will soon have him kicked out"
This was not pleasant for Mr. Sim
clair to hear, but he bore it as well
as he could
II don't think the marquis will
have me kicked out, young man." he
said. "Just you take my card up,
and I'll teach you better manners
than to insult friend of the Mar
quis of Merle"
Too astounded to argue any longer,
| the footman assembled the stairs
slowly with the card.
The marquis was dressed for din
ner, and seated in a small room
which had been set aside as his writ
ing-room, study, or private room. In
his Well-cut evening dress, his snowy
shirt front with his single diamond
glittering in it, with his pale, clear
| face, he looked the model of an arts
tocrat from the white, shapely hand
to the smooth, close-cut hair.
There was not a line upon his
face, not tremor upon his lips, al
though since the time he had driven
away from the man, he had looked
| forward to this interview and won
dered what evil it BODIED for him.
He took the card glanced at it and
nodded carelessly
Show the man up"
The footman went downstairs with
a grin.
'The marquis will see you, my
man" he said, condescendingly
Mr.. Sinclair redeemed furiously.
Don't you call me my mani" he
said, passionateIy 'I'H teach you;
but wait-only waltz and he clinched
his hat in his hand and walked up
stairs.
The marquis was reading the even
ing paper, and lowered it to his
knees as Mr. Sinclair entered. A
faint smile Of amusement and disgust
played in his eyes as they rested on
the extraordinary sget-up" of his Wis
itor; and with almost good-natured
eontempt-if good nature could posi-
bly, be attributed 70 the marquis-he
said.
Now, my man, have kept my
promise. I will give you ten minutes
quite long enough for you to tell
|any reasonable number of lies in
at the end of that time | shall ring
the bell, and hand you over to the
IpoIfcer7
He did not ask Mr.. Sinclair to sit
down SO that gentleman, putting his
hat on the ground, took chair and
wiped his forehead The marquis
leaned back in an attitude of perfect
Incidence and eyed him with a smil-
ing contempt
Now, sir, begin, if you please?"
he said.
Mr. Sinclair polished his face and
pulled down his cuffs.
I've got story to tell you. my
lord. that viii astonish YOU" he com.
mppon1