Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1904 — TOO LATE. [ARTICLE]

TOO LATE.

A refreshment room at Earl's Court Enter Mrs, and Miss Oramrod.As they pass one of the tables a young man Sturts violently, half rises and takes oft his hat. Mrs. Ormerod eyes tiirn with an impertinent stare, and Miss Orraerod looks fixedly at the wall beyond him. The young man hastily resumes his seat. When they have found seats at a safe distance and ordered refresh meats, the ladies give vent to their In dignation. “Well, Laura, of the impudent”— “Mr. Marston never was noted for his modesty, mother.” “I should think not. But London is. the place to bring him to his senses. He’ll soon find his level here.” “I wonder what he is doing? He seems well dressed." “Counter jumping or shoplifting, I should imagine. That’s all lie's fit for.” “lie could waltz divinely.” “Then he had one redeeming virtue. Perhaps he teaches dancing.” As the band outside ceases playing sundry people saunter in. “Why, there's Sir William. Ido hope lie'll see us." “Why doesn’t the man look this way?” "If lie isn’t talking to Mr. Marston! How flattered that young man must feel!” “Perhaps he is ordering a new coat." “Or, more likely, complaining about the old one.” "I hope he is arranging for some dancing lessons. He waltzes horribly.” "You could forgive , that if he were only good looking.” “At any rate, he is very good natured.” “Or he wouldn't be talking to young Marston.” “At last lie sees us.” The ladies bow gracefully. Sir William walks across to them. "Now, whoever would have thought of meeting you here!” “How badly expressed, Sir William! ‘An unexpected pleasure' would have sounded so much better.” “I sit corrected. Ices, I sec. Are they good ?” “Very bad. But we are pretending it’s summer.” “By the way, Laura and I are quite dying to know what you have in common with Mr. Marston.” “A Very great deal. Mrs. Ormerod.” “Coats and—waistcoats ?” “Dancing?” “Really, I ought to have had an ice, for without one I see no connection. You know Marston, then?" “He was a clerk in father’s office. We did know him, mother?” “Certainly, my dear. Sir William will understand the degree of intimacy that Indicates.” Sir .William looks from one to the other In a doubtful, questioning manner and tlnui says gravely: “Mr. Marston is a friend of nfftie.” “How extremely condescending of you to put it that way! Mr. Marston would lie flattered if he heard you.” “I fail to see why.” “Look at your different positions in life. You are a man of title.” “And Marston is a man of genius, a somewhat scarcer article.” “Why, what has he done?” “nave you not read ‘Waiting?’ ” “Of course. Some one sent me a copy. I never found out who. But that was by ‘Godfrey Newcome.’” “Quite so Marston’s pseudonym. Then I know you have seen his play, for I was in your box at the Lyceum. On Tuesday, wasn’t it?” “Did Mr. Marston write ‘My Lady Disdainful?’ ” “Indeed he did. Mrs. Ormerod. lam surprised you did not know it.” Miss Ormerod appears lost in thought. Then she sees Marston rising to go. She turns quickly to Sir William. “Do me a favor. Tell Mr. Marston I wisli to renew our old friendship.” “Delighted!” He walks after Marston. “Marston. an old friend wishes to speak to you—Miss Ormerod.” “Does she?” A pause. “You remember what I told you about that girl in the country -who said she would give her answer when 1 was famous?” “I told lier she would have to send for me then, as I should never ask again. You have just brought her summons.” “The deuce I have?’ “She lias only just learned that I am —er—a success?” “Not a whisper of it till I toid her.” “I thought so. She cut me dead a quarter of an hour ago. It’s too late now, old man.. Tell her—what you like, only don’t hurt her unnecessarily.” “All right, sonny. I understand. Wait for me outside.” Rejoining the ladies. “Mr. Marston wishes me to say he would liave-been delighted to have had your message a quarter of an hour earlier, blit as it is”— “Well, Sir William, as it is?” “As it Is, Marston and I are returning to town together. Good afternoon, ladies.”—Sketch.