The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-07-10


has two servants, and they set tho most
luxurious table one could think of
Have the girls improved any in cooking
since I was with you. Cousin Mary?'
"Oh, l don't know; my daughters are
both very good cooks. can not think
what should have done il my girls
had not helped me as they have done. !"
a mothers partiality.' returned the
pleasing Mrs. Mason, glancing with II
smile at Mr.. Jewett.
Il can speak Of the girls proficiency
in cooking myself said Mr.. Jewett,
smiling. Having been here SO long.
/ know what experts in the art they
are"
Mrs. Mason smiled rather uneasily,
one Of her studied points being the art
Of making other people feel small, and
she had hoped Mr.. Jewett would agree
with her sentiments in regard to the
girls.
When the dinner was finished, Mr.
Jewett followed the ladies into the par-
lor, saying:
II am going to drive five miles this
afternoon to inspect a bridge, and !
would like the company Of You ladies,
il agreeable to you both.
Mrs. Holmes gave him reassuring
smile and bow. and Mrs. Mason made
him very polite reply, in very
grandilo1uent manner, and the gentle
man then departed. after informing
them that he would drive around for
them ut about 5 o'clock.
Before the time appointed, Mrs.
Mason had made another ostentatious
toilet. and joined Mrs. Holmes and her
daughters in the sitting room.
"What an elegant man Mr.. Jewett
is, and how kind Of him to plan that
drive on the very first day of my visit,
for, of course, he saw that would be
very lonely here"
"Mr. Jewett is very kind man., re.
piled Mrs. Holmes, while the girls
winked at each other behind their
elders backs.
sand he thinks of all the proprieties,
too" sighed their visitor, "for he
thought, of course, that would no,
accompany him alone at this very early
stage of our acquaintance, and so in
vited you to act the part of chaperon
for me-"
Mrs. Holmes found that her thimble
was missing at this moment, and Clara
attempted to turn the subject by asking.
How do you like our new house.
Cousin Martha?"
"Quite we'll, il it was not where it is
and OF such . hideous color, and SC
very, very old
"Now, l think the color is very nice,
was Claras reply, n very delicate
color for this old gothic stone hons, /,
should feel very proud of it, If it was
only little more out of the way ol
obnoxious visitors"
Mrs. Holmes gave her daughter {
look. but their cousin went on calmly
II have been overlooking the upper
part Of the house, but could not find
the third-story stairs, or isn't ther,
anye',
al believe not" replied Clara, wht
was at that moment thinking over ,
place for her meddling visitors benefit
"How odd" said Cousin Martha, bu
at that moment the elderly beau drov,
up, and the middle-aged three departed
on their pleasure drive.
After they were we'll gone the girl
looked at each other and laughed
heartily.
| II decl re, Clara, she is worse thar
ever, said Belle.
And she thinks Mr.. Jewett is afte
her." cried Clara, with tears of laugh
! ter in her eyes.
Il thought I should die when she tol.
mamma that Mr.. Jewett asked her fo
q chaperon for herself
do you know what I should hav,
done had l been in mammals plac'
| then?" asked Clara.
Something awful, l suppose; wha
would you?"
II should have told her distinctly t,
pack her trunk and / would send he
to the depot in the morning."
1T would be the very best thing I,
do; but mamma won't say thing, s,
We shall have to put up with her tn,
whole living summer"
She'll try her best to cut mamma
out"
"And she will talk so about the cook
ing that oil the boarders will leave"
"Now, Belle" said Clara, solemnly
IF you will promise not to say one wor,
to mamma have plan by which
think We can make Madame Martha be
take herself to her brothers, wher
they have everything SO luxurious. an,
who is indeed three times rs able I,
take care of her as mamma is"
"But you will have to look out wha
you do, or mamma will be very angr,
at us both, for she always lays half tn
mischief to me-"
"very uriustly, too: but she won
find us ont this time. Let's max
Martha believe the cottage is haunted.
"How could We do that?'
Easy enough; you know she sal,
she had been searching around for tn
third-story staircase, and could no
find it. Well, you know as we'll as
do that there are two, one opening int
our room with a curious sliding panel
and the other opening into hers wit
another. Now she will never find on
that those panels are doorways.'
Il don't know as she would bu
mother will tell her."
mo, she will not, for told her no
to; because we have all our dresses an
everything in the attic, and we did no
want her inspecting them"
"Very we'll, but still do not see tn
point"
"The point is just this am going t
appear to her."
"Clara Holmesl"
I'll see if she will make us all I'LL
comfortable oil summer, without sayin
as much as by your leave"
But she will demand another room.
"Then we will exchange with her."
"Capital! it will be lots of fun"
Mrs. Mason was in ecstasies over he
drive, telling the girls how man
agreeable things Mr.. Jewett had sal
to her during the afternoon, and, u