Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-01-25

eS.
''In your room2"
eyes"
Cant fetch it for youT''
at will be too much trouble, l
know"
s'But assure you that it will not
"You are altogether too good, Mrs.
Maberley quite gushingly said. You
know my room, Mr.. Abercombie? No.
90, second floor; and the embroidery
is lying on a small table near the door.
I shall be so much obliged to you.
Here is my key"
Mr.. Abercrombie bowed, and NOV
ed smilingly away. A second after
he had left the piazza and entered the
house, Mrs. Maberley rapidly follow
ed the direction he mad taken. She
saw him ascend the stairs, and, at
a safe distance, silently pursued him.
He now stood in front of the door
of her own chamber, unlocking it.
Presently he opened the door and en-
tered. Mrs. Maberley followed rapid
ly, and herself entered the chamber,
just as Mr.. Abercrombie was removing
the piece Of embroidery from the side
table. She closed the door behind her
and began quietly TO lock it.
Mr.. Fame Abercrombie heard her,
quietly as she moved, and turned
around in some surprise:
$50 you concluded to come yourself,
Mrs. Maberley!' he stammered, hard
ly believing what he saw.
"Y-e-s," drawllngly spoken. Eek
T.. A hi
while l lock you in
Lock me in, madam
Precisely
Mr.. Abercrombie stared with amaz-
ed eyes.
II don't think that | exactly com
prehend YOUR meaning"
well, then, will endeavor to make
it clear"
Mrs Maberley had locked the door
on the inside by this time and placed
the key in her pocket.
II have heard, Mr. Fame Abercombie,"
she placidly continued, that you
have a very high opinion of what is
called responsibility. You are proud
of the name you bear, and would con-
slider any publicity attached to it
decided disgrace. Am | right?"
you are, unquestionably, madam,
Any publicity, for instance, like
that of being found hidden in a lady's
closet"
'Madam!"
l thought you would get indignant, ="
proceeded Mrs. Maberley. with a
laugh. Such scandals are bad enough
when man of twenty five is connect
ed with them. But when one of sixty
or Whereabouts
BE good enough to unlock the door,
Mrs. Maberley!" exclaimed Mr. Fame
Abercrombie, with irate haughtiness.
II do not understand your conduct,
though | understand enough of it to
see that you are attempting some
some"
Practical joke, Mr.. Aborcrombie
Upon my word, you are right With
the exception, however, that the whole
matter is anything but joke to you.
1t too closely concerns the happiness
of your niece, Emeline Maynard.
'My niece"
Eyes! Doyou know, Mr.. Fame Alb
ercrombie, that unless you make me
solemn promise, this morning, every
person in this hotel shall know, before
evening, that the very respectable per-
sonag6 whom have the honor of adj
dressing was found by me hiding i'll a
closet of my chamber2'
"But such a statement, madam, will
be, rs you know, an atroclous false
hood. "
Mrs. Maberley laughed Il gay, little
malicious laugh, her eyes sparkling
with fun.
"Of course it WILL" she answered
coolly. People will believe otherwise,
however, when vouch for It's strict
truth.
For heavens sake, madam, inform
me why | am to be scandaliEed in this
shocking stylc"
Because" and Mrs. Maberley's
eyes flashed now scornfully. because
sir, you have treated your niece Eme-
line III SO brutal manner. There is
no objection to Leonard Leavitt for
Emeline's husband, save an absurd,
tyrannical ono which you yourself
have raised"
"And you wish NC" stammered
poor Mr.. Fame Abercrombie thor
oughly aghast.
II wish you, Mr. Abercrombie, to
remove that objection. Unless you do
SO shall open this door and shrek
away your character, through this
great hotel, in less than five min
utes."
'Shriek away my charaeter2'
"Exactlym exclaimed Mrs. Maber.
ley. Extreme cases require extreme
remedies. Moreover, | shall give you
but short warning"
The man glared at he as if lie would
like to knock her down.
She went on coolly.
Consider, Mr. Fame Abercosbie,"
she said; (which is it to be-your re
spectability preserved intact or its ut
ter and irremediable ruinf | am in
earnest. | was never more in earnest
in my life. ! love Emeline, and have
an opportunity of saving her from
great unhappiness You are in trap.
You had better yield gracefully, ac-
knowledging your defeat Come, de-
eide quickly. Either swear me
solemn, sacred, binding oath that you
will freely consent to Emeline's mar
riage with Leonard Leavitt or else
find yourself suddenly converted
from the irreproachable Mr.. Fame
Abercombie into somebody whose best
friends feel privileged to talk against
as having lost caste and respectable
ity."
The victim paused moment But
there waSno escape.
Madam, he said, at last, II agree
TO your terms, | will take the oath
you desire"
He spoke coldly and stiffly.
Mrs. Maberley bowed and unlocked
the door without word.
The next day Mr.. Fame Abercrom-
bic himself announced Leonard Lea
Wits engagement to Emeline May
nard. The marriage followed soon
after. Mrs. Maberley's victory was
signal and entire; but Mr.. Fame Aber-
crombie never spoke to her afterward.
For this, however, she did not care
She had her revenge, when the happy
pair were safely united, by telling the
story of his promise made under COM