Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-11-13

a customer, he seemed little inclined 10
trouble himself about the matter. The
promise of fee, however, made him
more reasonable, and Re offered to let me
see his books, that l might search for the
name wanted to find. But then didn't
know the name l wanted to find. 1t was
unlikely that the photograph had been
done for Thrapstow; if it had, there would
probably appear in the books only the
useless record of his address, already
known to me. Then the man shook his
head. If / didn't know the name, it was
no use looking; the card was nothing, he
said; he sent hundreds out every month.
What information could he possibly give
meg Then tried to describe the person
al appearance of ThrapstOw. But again
he shook his head. If he hadn't taken
his likeness, he wouldn't be likely to re-
member him; hardly even then, so many
people passed through his hands.
All this time he had been carelessly
holding the card in his fingers, glancing
at it now and then, and suddenly an idea
seemed to strike him. stop a Bit" he
said and went into his dark chamber, and
presently emerged, smelling strongly OF
chemicals. "Look here" he said, trium-
phantly. looked, and saw a very faint,
ghostly impression of photograph. Its
printed itself through" said the man
"they will sometimes-and I've brought
it to light. Yes, l know the original OF
that" Again he dived into closet, and
brought out negative with number
and label to it. Then he turned to his
book, and wrote down an address for me
Mrs. Maidmont Larkspur Road, Not
ting Hill.
Away I went to Larkspur Road Mrs.
Maidmont's house was small, comforta-
BILE residence, with bright windows, veran-
dahs, gorgeous window-boxes, and striped
sunblinds. Mrs. Maidmont was at home,
said very neat pretty-looking maid ;
and l sent in my card, with
a message: On most i'm
pOrtant business" The maid came
back to say that her mistress did not re.
cognize the name, but would | walk in?
/ was shown into pretty drawing-room
on the first floor. An elderly lady rose
to greet me with old fashioned courtesy,
at the same time with a good deal of un-
easy curiosity visible in her face. This
was not the original of the photograph,
who was young and charming girl.
Madame" l said rapidly, !" / believe
that my friend, Charles Thrapstow, is
well known to you; now, it is of the ut
most importance that | should ascertain
where he is at this moment"
"Stay!" said the old lady. You are
laborlng under complete mistake;
know nothing whatever of the gentleman
whose name you mention; IA name | never
heard before"
Was she deceiving me? did not think
perhaps Miss Maidmont may know
| said eagerly.
Miss Maidmont is not likely to have
formed any acquaintance without her
mothers knowledge" said Mrs. Maid
mont with dignity. There seemed to be
no alternative but for me to retreat with
apologies.
Il am very busy, you see," went on
the old lady, with wave of the hand /;
and indeed the room, now looked about
me, | saw to be strewed with preparations
for some festive event, ball perhaps, or,
from a wreath of orange blossoms that
saw peeping out of milliner's box, more
likely a wedding. | was about to take
my departure reluctantly, when a young
girl, a charming young girl, bounded into
the room: she was the original Of the
photograph.
"Oh, mammal" she cried, "herc's a
letter from poor Charlie To say he can't
possibly come here tonight Isn't it
provoking? And | want to consult him
about so many things"
swell, my dear Isabel" said the old
lady placidly, you'll have enough of his
company after tomorrow" From which
judged that my surmise as TO the wed
ding was correct, and that Charlie was
the bridegrOom-elect.
'By the way" she went on, "here's a
gentleman, Isabel, who insists that we
know a Mr.. Charles - forget the name
now"
"Thrapstow," interjected.
"a Mr.. Charles Thrapstow. You know
of no such person, Bella"
IL know of no Mr. Charles but Charles
Tempest" said Isabel.
at is singular, too, that the initials OF
our friends should be the same. May
ask if you have given your portrait, taken
by Blubore Of Kensngton"-
Upon my word" said Mrs. Maidmont
rising, and sounding the bell, this is
rather too much from total stranger.
We don't know your friend, and we don't
know you. Susan, show this gentleman
out"
"But gentleman" ! cried, "with blue
eyes, and yellow beard and moustache,
and turned-up nose
mo more!" cried Mrs Maidmont. Gam
to repeat once more, we know nothing
about him."
What could / do under these circum-
stances but take my leave? In Susan,
however, found an unexpected ally. She
had heard my parting words Of descrip-
ton, and she turned TO me as we were de-
scending the stairs, and said, Miss
Isabel's young man is exactly like that"
Half crown and few Establishments,
which, under the circumstances, think
even my worthy spouse would have con-
doned, put me into possession ofthc facts
Miss Maidmont was really going to be
married tomorrow morning at st. Spike
nards Church to Mr.. Charles Tempest,
very good-looking young man, whom
they had not known 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.
"Had Miss Maidmont photograph OF
her lover?" / asked.
She had, in her own room, it seemed.
Susan couldn't get at it now without
suspicion; but she promised to secure it,