The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-12-11

out a negative with number and la
bel to it. Then he turned to his
book and wrote down an address fol
me-Mrs. Maidmont, Larkspul
Road, Noting Hill.
Away l went to Larkspur Road.
Mrs. Maidmont's house was small,
comfortable residence, with bright
windows, verandahs, gorgeous win
dow-boxes, and striped sun blinds.
Mrs. Maidmont was at home, said a
very neat, pretty-looking maid, and
L sent my card, with the message :
"On most important business" The
maid returned and said her mistress
did not recognize the name, but
would l walk in? l was shown in to
a pretty drawing room on the
first floor. An old lady rose to greet
me with an fashioned courtesy,
at the same time with good deal of
uneasy curiosity visible in her face.
This was not the original of the pho
tograph, who was young and
ch arming girl.
"Madam," l said rapidly, 81 be-
lieve that my friend, Charley Thrap-
stow, is well known to you ; now, it
is of the most Importance that /
should ascertain where he is at this
moment"
"You are laboring under a great
mistake" said the lady. 81 know
nothing whatever OF the gentleman
whose name you mention, name l
never before heard"
Was she deceiving me, l did not
think so.
"Perhaps Miss Maidmont may
KNOW" said eagerly.
eMiss Maidmont is not likely to
have formed any acquaintance with
out her mothers knowledge" said
Mrs. Maidmont with dignity. There
seemed to be no alternative but for
me to retreat with apologies.
81 am very busy, you see," the old
lady went on, with wave of the
hand /; and indeed the room, now l
looked about me, saw to be strewn
with preparations for some festive
event, ball perhaps, or, from a
wreath of orange blossoms that 1
saw peeping out Of a milliner's box,
more like wedding. Twas about
to take my departure reluctantly,
when a young girl, chaming young
girl, bounded into the room, she
was the original of the photograph.
ooh, mamma !" she cried, "here's
a letter from Charley to say he can't
possibly come tonight! Isn't tpro-
voking :? And wanted to consult
him about so many things"
"Well, my dear Isabel" said the
old lady placldly, "you will have
enough of his company after to-mor-
row." From which l judged that
my surmises as to the wedding was
correct, and that Charley was the
bridegroom elect.
''But, Isabel" she went on, "here
is gentleman who insists that we
know Mr.. Charley-I forget the
name now"
"Thrapstow," interjected.
ga Mr.. Charley Thrapstow. You
know no such person, Bella ?"
81 know of a Mr.. Charley, but it's
a Mr.. Charley Temple said Isabel
"It's singular, too, that the initials
of our friend should be the same
May 1 ask if you have given him
your portrait, taken by Bluepore, oi
of Kensington.
"Upon my word" SAID Mrs. Maid
mont rising, and sounding the bell
"This is rather too much for a totaI
stranger. We don't know your
friend, and we don't know you. Su
san, show this gentleman out"
"But gentleman" l cried, "witt
blue eyes, and yellow hair, beard and
moustache, and turned-up nose.
"No more !'' cried Mrs. Maid
mont. "Must repeat once more
we know nothing about him ?'
What could do under the circum
stances but take my leave. In Su
san, however, l found an unexpected
ally. She had heard my parting
words of description, and she turned
to me as we were descending the
stairs, and said: "Miss Isabel'l
young man is exactly like that
Half crown and a few blandish
ments, which, under the circumstan
ces, l think even my worthy spouse
would have condoned, put me into
possession of the facts.
Miss Maidmont was really going
to be married tomorrow morning a
st. Spikenard's Church to a MIR
Charley Temple, very good-lookine
man, whom they had not known very
long, but who seemed to be very
well off, my description of my friend
tailed exactly with Susan's of the
bridegroom but the coincidence
might be merely accidental.
"Has Miss Maidmont photo
graph of her lover p / asked.
She had in her own room, it seem
ed, but Susan could not get at it now
without suspicion, though she prom
lsed to secure it, and bring it will
her, if I would meet her at min,
at the corner of that street.
l was punctual to my trust and a
nine, Susan made her appearance,
with morocco case containing al
excellent likeness of my friend, Char
ley Thrapstow, massive pin with top
az in it, and all.
Now what was to be done
Should l go to Mrs. Maidmont, ant
tell her how she was deceived in he
daughters lover That would hav,
been the best way adopted to spar
the feelings of the Maidmonts, bu
would it bring back the fiv Thousand
pounds ? l thought not.
"Miss Maidmont," / soliIoquized
"wiil find some way to warn her low.
er. Even robbing bank may moi
embitter a girl against her sweet
heart, and no doubt she's over heaC
and ears in love with Charley" NJ
I'll determine on different plan.
l rose early next morning, dressed
myself with care. put on pair o
pale primrose gloves, donned my
newest beaver and took the cab t,
st. Spikenard's, No ting Hill.
The bells were jingling tmerr,ly a
l alighted at the church door. 4
small crowd had already gathered
on the pavement, drawn together b,
that keen foresight of coming ex
citement characteristic of the human
species. GA friend of the bride