The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1886-07-01

repeated Mrs. Merrigale. why, it's
Andover Place where Miss Ophclia
Upton lives! Yes. it's nice ncighbor-
hood enough. Ill look ut the place )"
Half an hour later. Mr.. Merrigalc,
who was dreaming in his dark little
law-oiiicc Of the lovely hazel eyes Of
Miss Ophelia Upton, was aroused by
the brisk, sharp tones Of his mother.
Come. Mark said she, Its easy
TO see that You are not particularly
busy this morning. | want YOU to 90
with me to look at furnished house
for Mrs. Arthur. I'm little bit ncr-
vous, you know, about going into
empty houses. One never knows hut
that thieves and robbers may be con-
ccaled there. and bounce out ut ole
with loaded reyolvers.
Il hardly apprchend that, mother, =
said Mr.. Merrigalc. checrfully. but
| shall be very glad to escort you"
putting his pens and papers on one
side. and reaching out for his hat.
The modest little coupe which carried
Mrs. Mcrrigalc and her son had stopped
at the door of No. 80 Andover Place
before Mark fairly realized where he
was.
..lIallo!' lie exclaimed. why, this
is close to the Upton house, isn't it?'
Never mind the Upton house. said
Mrs. Merrigalc, impaticntly. Here's
the key. Let us get into the premises
and view them rs soon as possible.
The rooms were very pretty. and
We're furnished as tastefully as possible
and Mr.. Merrigale went out on the
| balcony ut the back,-a secluded spot
screened by morning glory vines,
whose delicate pink and blue cups
were rs yet scarcely wilted BY the sun
shine.
If were 10 rent this place." said
he laughing. .'tliis is where | would
come to smoke my cigar.
| just ut that moment little girl
burst wildly out into the adjoining
back yard, upon which the vine draped
balcony looked. just as the prosccninm
boxes in theatcr command the stage.
II was Marian Upton followed by
Miss Opbclia. in decided deshabille
of faded cambria wrapper, curl papers
and down-at-heel slippers.
don't whip me, sister. don't, =
pleaded the little one, holding both
hands deprc catingly over her herd rs
Ophelia fairly cornered her into one Of
the angles of the fence. Il didn't
mean to spill your bottle of cologne.
1t rolled oil the bureau before knew it
II was Georges fault rs much a.
mine.''
1T was both your FAULTS screamed
Ophelia Upton in voice as unlike Il
possible to the dulcet tones which Mr..
Mcrrigale had always heard from hcl
little imps. And Ill cuff the wicked.
ness out of you before | get through
with you, now see if don't. lido hate
children
And, acting strictly MP 10 her words
the lovely Ophelia vigorously slappe,
her demonstrating captive first on ont
side OF her face and then on the other
Mark Merrigale stood rivetcd to tn.
spot in sort of horr0r-stricken spell
Was this his angel? his silver-tone.
Madonna? Was this
What an excellent step-mother SHIT
would make! whispered m:schicvou
voice in his ear-.nd turning with !,
stare he saw his mother standing clos,
to him. She drew him gently into til,
back parlor.
Come she said. lit is high tim,
we were going. Fastcn the window
Mark, dear. I've just taken 4 peep IN
to the cellars and there are four inches
of water there. OF course, | can't re-
commend house with any such drain
age as that The whole thing is at al
cnd.
YES" Mark mechanically repeated
1.-The whole thing is at IN end.
| And he never again saw the fail
blonde conntcnance Of Miss Ophcli:
Upton. The young lady herself ncvc
could understand why this promisin.
love affair was SO earl, blightcd. Ant
the screen Of blue and pink morning
glories at No. 36 Andovcr Place KEEP
their secret inviolably.