Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-02-28
Ill this doubtless strikes you as

Is not accorded TO every man.
ITO which do you refer: the honor
or the modus operandi?"
Both Now, an explanation is due
you"
so / observe, gravely.
"The pleasure is mine. To begin
with, permit me to, introduce you to
my guests" One by one he named
them, the ladies and gentlemen.
had heard of them all. Money had
made them famous. 'As for myself,
am Daniel Ainsworth; this is my
home. dare say you have heard OF
me-"
Il have won money on your horses,
sir, with all the gravity of express
sion found possible to assume.
My remark was greeted with laugh
ter.
My host, composing his lips, re-
sumed. And now, sir, whom have I
the honor to address,"
Il am the author Of many famous
poem, TRANQUILITY.
"Ah!"
yes; anonymous. Sir, my name
would mean nothing to you or your
guests; I am poor"
There was a trace of admiration in
the girls eyes as she turned her head.
| Besides T went on, II want little
revenge"
Good" bawled my host; good!
You're man of kidney, sir. A gen.
tleman is always q gentleman and I
do not need to look at you twice, sir,
to note that my niece's choice has
been happy one"
you have not introduced me to
your niece" said I, "who is, next to
myself, the most important guest at
the table,
Hang mel The young lady at your
side is Miss Helen Berkeley, the best
horsewoman in the state, If do say
so myself"
Great applause, as they say in the
press gallery. looked squarely at
the girl, but she was idly busy turn
ing her empty wine-glass slowly
round and round.
II appreciate the honor, sir" I
said; "but now will you favor me with
the modus operandi, or, to be partic-
ular, the reason of all this mystery?"
II approach that at once. This Is
leap year, as you will recollect. On
January first gave leap-year party,
and in the spirit of fun each lady
present declared her intention OF
bringing to series of late dinners a
4 ,hnr nf TIC EnnVy
either by sight or by reputation. He
was to be lured into carriage by
some story or other, and was not to
know the true state of things till he
sat at the table. My niece was the
last on the list. Those who backed
down were to give house-p party of
a weeks length. Women detest
house-parties, and that is the one
reason why this comedy has gone
down the line without failure.
''Now, Nell, tell US how you lured
Mr.. Anonymous into your carriage. "
Very quietly she recounted, the tale
She omitted but one incident.
'Tn front of a club" cried the
ladies in unison. why in the world
didn't we think of that?"
Miss Berkeley has omitted one
thing" said maliciously.
"And, pray, what?" asked Miss
Berkeley's uncle.
| Remember" she whispered, you
are supposed to be a gentleman"
I took umbrage at the word sup
posed"
Miss Berkeley must tell you what
she has omitted in the course of her
narrative
| "And / refuse to tell"
Hang it, Nell, I'll wager Mr..
Anonymous kissed you'll" cried her
uncle.
Caught" cried ono of the ladies.
sAllow me a word" interposed. /
was already sorry. There was a
method in my action which must not
be misconstrued I believed, for
moment, that Miss Berkeley might
be new species of bunko-steerer. II
she objected noisily to my salute /
should find my case proved; If she
cried, | was wrong"
"And?"
@she did neither. She rubbed her
cheek"
~I'll warrant" my host bawled
noisily. ooh, this is rich! A bunko-
steerer!"
Miss Berkeley" whispered, I'VE
are quits"
Not yet,"-ominously.
1t was almost time for me to go!
Il was going to ask your pardon"
said the uncle in his hunter-voice;
.sbut think you have been paid for
your trouble. Is there anything you
would like?"
Three things. sir
"And these?" he asked, while every
one looked curiously at me. I was
still an unknown quantity.
MY hat, my coat, and the way to
the door, for / presume you have no
further use for me-"
My reply appealed to the guests as
monstrous funny 1t was some time
ere the laughter subsidized. Ny host
-