The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-04-12
tho sliding door being partly open
while he was at work in the front

~ -
some ono softly whistled IL behind her;
and, turning quickly on the revolving
stool, she saw the young painter, brush |
IL hand, standing in the doorway.
beg pardon, but that IS what YOU |
wanted. is il notq" he asked, as he |
ceased whistling, in voice as deep rs
that Of the bassoon grandmother, though |
much more melodious.
"Oh, yes, thank you'll" said Gertrude,
with blush; and, turning to the piano
again, she played tho whole Dir skill
fully and gracefully.
ITS beautiful thing said the
lninter, still standing IN the doorway;
sbut 1 think tho song beginning III this
why and he prepared to whistle again,
when he encountered the frozen frown
Of Madam Won Breeks Won Starch, rs
she stepped into the room from the bal
cony, and fed
And the next day the piano was closed
and locked, and the fair performer n
prisoner in her own room; and Grand
mother Huffey, meeting Mr.. Evcrdell
Tremlett as he came to work, requested
him in ono brief sentence to 'get through
his work and 60 about his business rs
soon rs possible
But Love bless his merry little
heart.- laughs at locks and locksniths,
and the very next time Gertrude went
for her singing lesson 10 the Conserva
tory Ito md from the door Of which
she was always escorted by either
Madame Won Breeks Won Starch or
Mistress Huffeyl she found there new
pupil with magnificent bass voice, and
that new pupil was the fair.haireal, bite
eyed young freseo-paintef.. Sot one
word u this Injecting, nor Of the meet
ings that followed it two or three times
week for six months thereafter, did
the naughty girl breathe to either of
| the three grandmothers. and the two
| Younger of tho trio eAulted greatly
| oves the strict vigilance with which
| they guarded the future bride accord
ing to their long-laid plans) of Diedrich
Won Breeks, the rich Holland merchant,
due in New York with the new year.
But their exultation CAME to m end on
New Years eve. On that evening the
Conservatory Of Music gave a pupil
concert, and the very first duet was
sung by Miss Gertrude Won Breeks and
Mr.. Eyerdell Tremlett. In vain had
the latter begged to be left out of the
programme; in vain had he summoned
to his aid a mysterious Throat disease.
His professor declared that sing he
must, or lose his place in the Conserva-
tory, and, what was still worse, prove
himself an "ingra-a-tel" And 50 the
three grandmothers, sitting in great
state near the stage, were Mortified
that is, two of them were (great-gran
munched her caraways as placidly as
eyer)-by seeing and hearing their
granddaughter made operatic love to,
in very real love-making way, before a
most fashionable audience, by the young
man who frescoed their parlors.
In moment the whole truth flashed
upon their minds, and how they sat on,
the rest Of concert, 40 great was theil
indignation, they never knew. But al
last, much to to their relief, il came tc
on end, and the ominous silence with
which they received the pretty culprit
prepared her for the storm (the after
claps of which have recorded at the
beginning Of my story that burst upor
her head as soon as they reached home
When il was over Gertrude was allowed
to seek her room. Here she threw of hel
cloak turned the key III her door and
took from her bosom q note, which she
hastily read.
my DEAREST" thus 1t ranI-@I suppose-il
fact, know-you will have a scene will
her Royal Highness Won Dreeks Won Stnrcl
| and her faithful henchwoman theDuchess'
de Huffey l arm SO sorry for you. dear
l~AA II II
be frightened Mt what / am about to pro
pose. To morrow will be New Years day
Consent l entrcat you, to begin the Noy
Year with me. have but humble hom
to offer you, but in it waits the blessedest o
: mothers and tho best Of grandmothcrs twh
will make your fourth) to welcome you.
shall be waiting, when you read this note
with carriage around The nearest corner
Our alto and tenor will he with me, ready =
act as bridesmaid and groomsman You
/ grandmothers would never consent to on
, marriage, and unless you take . decisiv
self, t, your Dutch fifth cousin. Come, m
2 darling come EvERDEIL4
p. s,-If You find it impossible to max
! your escape, why, then l must beard tn
} duel with the Won Breeks Won starch assoc
MS he arrives in the county.'
Gertrude stood an instant in thought
0 Then she glanced in the mirror. 1t n
r ilected bride-like figure. Dress I
n somc clinging creamy white material
n daisy y-decked head, cloud OF lac
/ clasped at the throat by tiny gol
+ cross. She smiled softly, reread he
!. note, waited impatiently until half a
a hour had passed. and then unlocke
It der door, opened it, and listened. A
l. was silent as the grave. Cautiousl
r she ventured out into the entry, grope
c her way to the stairway, and began
descend the stair, pausing on ever
r other step to make sure that no one VI
q astir and watching her. At last 81
J. reached the street door in safety.
i seemed an age to her until she had su
ceeded in unfastening the heavy chai
z across tin reality it was just thr,
/ minutes-and then she felt for the ke
I It was gone! Her heart sank with
l. her.
q "Poor Everdell!" she said, and sad
Y prepared to retrace her steps-not da
n ing to try the basement way, becau
h the servants slept in that part of Il
n house--when faint light appear,
n above her head, and, looking up, 81
saw great-gran, carrying lighted ca
e. die in her hand. coming down the stai
II as carefully as she had come down the
r herself. "She will call the others
ID soon as she is sure it is l." she q
IN claimed, clasping her hands in an ago.
le of fear. But great-gran came straig
h. on, without n word, until she stood |
H. side the frightened girl.
D. Here's the key, my dear she 50
It. in whisper, and with quite grill
I'd air. 1--WE got key that fits the Gene
Il ais door, though she don't know it, a
90 took this from under her pillow. O
H. if she'd caught me. But she sleeps Ii
ct soldier of the Revolution. And her
ny little gift for You putting SIN
d. package in Gertrude's hand. In
"A child, how much yon do look like
of the night ran away with Oliver Peel
he Your sweetheart's good boy; l KIN
ne all about him. Good d-night, and hap
u New Year to you hoth!" And eNerti
tt. all his strength-Gertrude standing n
i - Nt.a !,