The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-12-04
McGREGoR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, DEC. T. 1861.

High street, Raffaelle saw an elegant
brougham, into which the groom invited
him to enter. The artist took his sea-
therein, and the driver instantly whipped
his horses into a fast pace. Raffaelle had
learnt nothing from his interrogation of the
groom. He threw himself back on the
seat, and resigned himself to wait the de.
nouncement Of his ling adventure.
'Ah, ha, he said to himself, IS the brough
am dashed along the road, the whole thing
resembles an incident in play, and am
at this moment performing the part Of q
fashionable lover flying to secret rcndez.
vous with his lady love. At any rate, il
will be good story to tell my friends-that
is, provided the play does not terminate in
lugubrious fashion. One thing is Ger.
tain,' he continued, which is, that don't
know single individual in Cokehampton.
Can any of my friends have come down
here without my knowledge? No, that
hypothesis will not stand, for I left London
without telling a single soul where ! was
going None of my chums know where |
am, and only intended to bid them good,
bye by letter, after had put fifty miles Of
railroad between u.s.
The horses still maintained their fast
pace and Rafflcle threw himself back in
| the carriage, giving free rein to his imagin-
alton.
i have it, he cried, suddenly slapping
his knee, 4 have found the key Of the
enigma! I'll wager that this the work OF
Thompson or Meglip. Idon't know which,
but have dim recollection Of one oi
them telling me hc had an uncle living in
the neighbOrhood of CokehamptOn. That's
it. Either Thompson or Meglip is rusti,
eating down here-has seen me get out at
the railway station-and (sublme idea y
has sent me an improvised invitation. A
clever and discreet groom-a mysterious
notc-I am carried off alght at the
avuncular door delightful surprise
truluction-good dinner-c capital little par
ty-choice winc-lis shts- conversation.
Ah, good joker
Raflaelle had no sooner brought his soil
loquy to his satisfactory termination, than
he thrust his head out Of the window
| lie was resolved to put his idea at once
upon an authentic basis, by extracting a
rw confrmatory replies from the groom.
Hi, coachman just pull up a mo'ncnt.
Young man, hc contained, addressing the
groom. i want you to answer Inc ques
| ton
rhe coachman pulled up his horses the
groom was ut the door in an instant.
Your masters name is Thompsony in.
qnirel Raffiellc.
| The groom touched his hat. NO, sir
| Then you are in the service Of Mr.. Me-
;ilpy
Don't know no person Of that name
SIR replied the laconic groom.
R,ffaelle tell back on his seat, thorough,
ly routed. In an instant the active groom
and The vehicle was whirling rapidly along
the road. d.-Raffaelle pulled his hat over his
eyes, crossed his arms, and felt like gen.
eral whose elite corps, sent forward to turn
the tide of battle, had just been repulsed
--annhilated. At the end Of ten minutes
the brougham stopped before little green
gate, which was Immediately opened. The
artist descended, and mechanically follow
ed servant, who led him across garden.
After proceeding along a trinity kept grav-
| el walk, he reached the back entrance of a
country mansion.
Beg pardon, SIR said the domestic, but
mistress thought you would not mind com
ing into the house though the kitchen, as
you might not like to be seen by the COM
pany till you had changed your Dress
Don't mention it, replied Raffaelle, cast
ing a glance at the great fire, the spit and
the bright stcwpans. They crossed the
kitchen, and the servant, opening the door,
led the way up the narrow staircase.
Hush Be- silent as you can, sir; we
are on the private stairs Of the house lead
ing to your apartment. Pray take care,
hold on by the rail, follow met Raffaelle
accended on tiptoe. This is your room,
sir. WM~you please to take a seat while
| go and inform my MISTRESS?
Ratfaellr Smitas dropped into chair,
ono, more entanglsd in an inextricable maze
Of superstition.
There is evidently some mistake here
1t is quite clear that am taken for some
one else. When the lady Of the house
discovers that am total stranger-well
| shall be politely shown to the door,
amidst the laughter Of the company
that's all Come, the the affair is now
taking tragic turn. That splendid repas,
on which my imagination dwelt, is being
whiSked from under my nose, like Sancho
oanza's dinner But if it turns out so,
mutt'red the enrag-d artist between his
teeth If ! am eject ii from this house, my
unappease,l appetite will drive me to halt
kill that villainouS hunkey who has brought
me into this scrape. Hark hear foot.
steps! They approach! The catastrophe
is now at hand
The servant entered and said in . whis.
per to Raffaelle-
: Here il INV miStressv
At the same instant lady entered the
apartment. She appeared about fifty years
IL age. Grave, seIfpossessed, and perfect
ly ladylike, her department reassured the
bewldered painter The lady requested
the servant to wait outside, advanced and
held out her hand with smile, in which
there was just shade Of elegant and well
bred familiarity. Raffaelle responded to
| this polite reception by making several
hows Of an attempted aristocratic chArac-
ter.
What on earth is she going to say to
ne' thought the Young painter. The la
ly APPEARS to look upon me in the light Of
friend. / wonder what reason she will
assign for my abduction
'Ah, sir! began the lady, we have been
awaiting your arrival with the greatest
anxiety. 1t appears that Charles has not
accompanied you as We requ sted him to do.
At any rate, we have received YOU Gam
other smile on the part of the la y-giving
h,r, in Ratfaellc's eyes. the most sphinx like
attributes.) 4 am sure you'll agree with
me when I say that that is the essential
point. How many thanks and apologies do
we not owe you!
Owe me, madam! lam sure-yes-ah =
replied the young painter, Judging that in
such reply there was nothing to compro-
mise him.
Yes, sir. But Charles has made you
acquainted with the imperious motives
which have caused US to act in this abrupt
manner-and these strange and exception
al circumstances will. I trust, completely