Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1910-04-14
LORRIE

ished our wine yet. Like to smoke, my
lord? Well go into the smoking-room
and blow a cloud"
"And | will join the ladies' says
the rector.
Mr.. Melford drains another bumper,
then leads the way to the smoking
room.
What are you thinking about, old
MANI says Jack, which is about his
first remark by the way.
Want to know, really? / was Won
dering what they'd think if walked
out here and cut it?''
"Oh, they wouldn't say anything.
Old Melford would think it must be
the proper thing to do. You're lord,
you know Sorry you're bored, old
fellow
"Oh, it's my fault" rejoins Guy,
rather remorsefully 1T was a rattl-
ing good dinner, and they are very
nice people, if the father would only
keep his mouth shut and the young
man wouldn't smile quite SO much"
"And what about Mis- Diana?" says
Jackk
I'm surprised" said Guy. "She's
the best of the bundle; far and away
the best. How on earth does she man
age to belong to them?"
Thought you'd admire her. 1t is
rather strange she should be old Mel
ford's daughter, isn't it? suppose
she'd rattle it among the best of 'em
wouldn't she?'
Never saw a girl better dressed-ex-
pected to see her with all her war
paint on"
Then you think she'll do?" says
Jack.
do? Oh, you mean-you refer to
my governors letter? For goodness
sake, don't let's talk of it." A pause
for moment Jack, why didn't your
sister, Miss Dolores, come tonight"
"Eh, Lorrie? Oh, / don't know
Didn't care about it suppose No
good expecting any reasons for what
she does! She said that she'd still got
a headache she'd caught sleeping in
the churchyard; but that's nonsense,
of course"
did she say that?'
YES" said Jack staring at him
"Whyg'
'Oh, nothing. Did she know | was
coming?"
Il suppose SO. Oh, yes; l remember
Miss Melford said so in her note"
Jack, do you think that Look
here; I've an idea that I've somehow
offended your sister. Do YOU think I
iaave?"
Offended Lorrfe! Ne. How could
you? Oh, see; you thought so from
her manner! My dear fellow, if you
knew Lorrie as we'll as I do, you
wouldn't take any notice of her. She's
always like that. Born so. No one can
do anything with her-I mean make
her polite, and all that. Greta is al.
ways trying to tone her down and al
ter her; but it's no good. Lorrie is
Lorrie and that's the long and short
of it,"
Thank goodness she can't be any
one else. Who wants to alter her"
"Oh, thought you were complain
ing of her being rude and snappish."
Complain! | only asked if I'd of
Tended her. If it's her usual manner,
why it's all right"
We'll, it is her usual manner" says
Jack, land a jolly bad manner it is,
isn't it? Don't take any notice of her,
old man; she's only a young 'un,
you know
He says this So alphabetically that
Lord Guy laughs aloud, and brings
Seymour down upon them with his
stealthy steps and fresh smile. He has
been watching for an opportunity of
Joining them for some minutes past.
The Carshal races come off next
week, do they not, Lord Guy?" he
asks.
Thursday"
Are you running anything"
Il entered horse for the steeple
chase"
Indeed! l hope he will win
so do l. If he doesn't it will be
my fault. I'm going to ride him N.Y.
self"
Yes. What are the odds?-I must
pack him."
You'd better not, unless you want
o lose your money"
"All the same l think / will back
7ours," says Seymour; Il have heard
so much about your riding. You won
he Cup at the Curragh, did you not?"
Yes. he did. Unfortunately for me,
or | was idiot enough to lay against
lin. | think your money is pretty safe
IN the Gypsy. Melford; and / should
advise you to get it on as soon as you
an while the odds are worth having"
wv must make up . party for the
lay" says Seymour. Perhaps you will
DIN us from the rectory, Latimer?
We will have the four-in-hand sent
.own.'
Thanks" says Jack"
Don't forget you promised to bring
our sisters to lunch with us in the
ent, Jacki''
I didn't know"
Your memory is going, old man,-1
hail be very happy if you and your
lister will jain US, Mr. Melford!"
Seymour bows, his eyes flashing
lnder the formal "Mr.'
Thanks, very much. Ny sister will
'e very pleased, am sure. if she has
ot made any other arrangement. and