The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-12-02

ain significance, and the two looked
straight into each others eyes.
A few days passed, uneventfully
enough though they were full of strange
interest to me, watching with growing
interest the relations between PloWitz
md Mary Fortescue.
The professor spent much Of his timc
With Mr.. Beaufoy, but wc always met
It dinner. and spent some time togeth-
Dr. afterwards.
On these occasions, Plowitz made ev-
ident efforts to overcome Mary ; reserve
and noticed, after a little while, that
though. when left apart with the doc
tor. she was exceedingly quiet AMI dis
tant, and took an early opportunity Of
joining Miss Beaufoy and my SELF. yet
when relieved from the burden Of
tete q .ete she was more spirited and
than usual. Perplexed
rs / was by her demeanor, | was be-
coming more perplexed by my own in
terest in the affair. For all his civility
and, to do him justice. Plowitz was
not Only civil, he was exceedingly
charming-l had no liking for the
man. He had come to the house, |
could have sworn, disguised. had
grave and dangerous suspicious Of the
reasons. Yet could not arrogate to
myself right to interfere in his love-
affairs. still less in Mary Fortescue's.
Putting it in that light had . bracing
effect on my resolve. Twas determin-
ed at least to watch the opportunity to
do what could for her interests.
There was very evidently some sort
of understanding between Miss Beau
Toy and Plowitz, and about Mary For
tescue and no understanding about
about her, in which Miss Beaufoy had
. part, could, felt sure, be for her
good.
Plowitz preserved his calm and pleas
ant demea1or under all the pretty OBJ
vious checks to which ho was subject
ed. To be sure he did not know that
was cognizant OF them and the sYmpa-
thies of Miss Beaufoy were so obvious
II with him that she seemed more OF
an accomplice than . friend. But af-
ter little while l detected something Of
pique and anxiety at times in his man.
ner, and Mr.. Beaufoy also showed
signs Of being annoyed and anxious.
As sat one morning in the garden
chair. Plowitz. Mr.. Beaufoy, and his
daughter were walking on the lawn in
earnest colloquy. Presently Plowitz
left them, and the father and daughter
continued their conversation. They
walked toward the house talking ear
nestly, and passed close by me without
taking the slightest notice of my pres
ence.
You must talk to her," said Mr..
Beaufoy in his curtest tones. .'She
must consent. 1t is our only chance
''She is very obstinate on some
points," replied the Basilisk. ..but
think can manage her."
You must manage her. said Beau.
foy. You knew everything depends
on it."
Il will talk to her." said Giulia.
This seemed to me to threaten .
GOD deal; and they won't into the
lOuso.
Mary Fortescue did not appear Al
luncheon that day. She had = head.
ache. Miss Beaufoy said.
Plowitz looked significantly at her
She answered his look BY saying witt
emphasis:
':she win Re well soon. It won,
LAST
Her absence seemed to remove /
wholesome restraint from the visitor
and he appeared to much less advan
tage than had ever seen him before
will you walk with US this after
noon, Mr.. Coplestone?" asked Mis-
Beaufoy towards the end Of lunch.
with very great pleasure. | said
But" interposed Plowitz. mis-
Fortescue will not be well enough"
''Oh yes. she will. A walk will d.
her head good
In about an hours time we were il
the drawing room ready to start.
.Ah," said Plowitz anxiously, miss
Fortescue will not come" But q
he spoke she entered the room
She looked rather pale. and
thought l saw some traces o
tears, but she seemed cheerful; but .
Miss Beaufoy kept me chiefly by he
side, was obliged to watch her cousil
from q distance. Miss Beaufoy evi
IDENTITY separated us from the others OF
purpose, and could not alter the az
rangemont, even if had desired to
But Mary F0rtescue appeared TO b
perfectly happy, and when we go
home again Pl0witz looked like q ne,
man, triumph was in his face, as we a
slrolled together up to the door, an
his look was reflected in q colder an
more cynical form by Miss Beaufoy .
she met his eye.
II nothing else resulted from thi
walk. it at least showed me the stat
of my own feelings. Strange and di.
NAL was the revelation at such tim
that my interest in Mary Fortescu
was far deeper, far tenderer, than
had allowed myself to imagine. b
the contradiction Of my views, til
sight Of her happiness, and. most I
all, the triumph in rivals fac
showed me that had only been call
while 50 no chance of another b
coming to her what had not venture
to put into clear thought for myself.
In the pleasant before-dinner hou
we were gathered in the twilight in Il
drawing-room. Mary greeted me ar
called me to her side as came
with what sounded to me almost lii
an appeal for help. and saw, thous
she did not know it, look which W,
more the look of hunted animal, tbs
of . woman who was happy in b.
love.
We talked quietly and happily as '
had often talked before. Plowitz can
up and tried to join US. l was pr
pared to yield my place, but somethil
in Mary's face and manner kept me |
her side, and presently Plowitz left U
with q certain haughtiness, which W
m ant for Mary, evidently; but '
talked on pleasantly.
As was going up to dress, Mi
Beaufoy passed me at the door, and '
stood in the hall minute.
don't you know, Mr.. Coplestone
she said, "what people who are in 10
think Of those who prevent them tai
ing togetherP"
"What do you meanp' / asked.
, "You put yourself in that positit
Just now, and kept it with obstina
which does credit to your tact. on