The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-05-31

piness. Moreover, through it all Joe
Gaines seemed to maintain the most
complete external semblance of frank.
hearted friendship with Bob Humphrey.
Odd as it may seem, the young lawyer
also found that his practice had under.
gone very sensible increase, cahscd
mainly by the warm though covert en-
comiuns which the good deacon's heart
compelled him to utter here and there
in his keen appreciation of his young
friends tact and management.
Time will fly, however, and the mails
brought at last to Pilsey homestead the
welcome news that its absent hope and
heir would shortly return. There were
letters from Scott Pilsey to his mother,
and his sister Maggie, and to Irene
Wyer, and even to the old cronies and
schoolmatcs, Joe Gaines and Bob
Humphrey. and to each he had doubt
less some matters Of special interest to
communicate.
No noisy, smoky, disgusting railway
trains as yet vexed the retirement and
repose Of the village, but at last, on a
morning when all things were in state
of almost painful expectancy of his ar
rival, not the ordinary stage coach, but
a private hir,d carriage, heavy with
trunks and packages, bore Scott Pilscy
to door of his fathers home.
In all instant the little veranda was
full Of those who awaited him, but when
the dcacon's tall, sun-burned, and
bushy-headed son sprang out upon the
grass, he turned his back to the veran-
tah for moment, while he aided the
movements Of a graceful well-favored,
dark-featurcd young lady who followed
him, and whom, even in the first warmth
Of his welcome home, he introduced
as, ''my wife, my Lucia"
Maggie Pilsey hugged her and kissed
her, and SO did Irene Wyer, and so, in
Il moment more, did old Mrs. Pilsey,
and the deacon was too wise a man to
seem altogether astonished, while Joe
Gaines and Bob Humphrey were fairly
boisterous In fact Scott Pilsey's CAL
ifornia bride was so overcome by the
warmth Of her greeting that the toor
thing forgot her pride, and burst into
tears. In half minute after that there
wasn't lady visible, and then Bob
and Joe knew enough to leave the dea-
con and his son to themselves. The
young men walked off arm in arm, but
they were back again before the day
was over.
The deacon's face was trifle serious
but not exactly clondy, and before long
he managed to get Joe Gaines off by
himself for bit Of private conversa-
ton.
"And So, Joe," said he, "you and
the rest knew all about this matter of
Scott's some time ago."
"Well, yes; Irene told me in conf
dence, and then, when they wrote and
told Scott now matters were here, he
wrote to congratulate us, and begged
us not to spoil his surprise to you. We
tell after that, you know"
"Ahem! well-no-I can't say; but
praps not. can't be mad with Scott,.
for she's brought him big rancho and
a mine, but what am 1 to do with YOU
now? l like Bob Humphrey frst-rate
Il alters did like Bob-and now it
can't be Scott, don't sec as ort to
interfere. You've armed your fee, and
LII pay it; but, then, you see, there
ain no more use''-
"Oh! no, not bit, interrupted Joe
"Bob is a good fellow, and he and
Maggie are just suited. Irene and |
think that Maggie couldn't have made
a better match, and we think Scott's
done splendidly WELL"
''lrenc and you:" exclaimed the
deacon.
eyes, of course. I've explained to
Irene that | can't afford to lose my fee.
told her at the beginning, and she said
must earn it. Seems to me I've
done that; but I'll let you up"
"Done it," exclaimed the deacon.
"Well, yes, Joe; on the whole, I should
rather be inclined to say 1 guess I think
you have! Yes-you and Irene!
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