Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1888-04-20
CHAPTER XXI.
THREE is A CROWD"

The reader may be quite sure that Oak
hurst lost no time in presenting himself u
Paletto's studio on the morning after his las
interview
"On hand early, see," said the other
"And how fresh you look! The blood come
dancing into your face; you are radiant will
expectations"
you mummy, what do you suppose an
made of, if the thought of meeting Agne
should not quicken my blood little9"
"lf it were my case, think my cheek,
would tingle from another cause"
"Now you need not try to brighten me-
will see her first | don't believe she has for
gotten me-"
'Nor l; but forgetting is one thing and for
giving is another. Besides, we haven't seer
her yet"
81 haven't, know, but III wager you
have"
"Wel, my Hotspur, sha'n't entce her
away from you"
Let US go" said Oakhurst.
Presently; l must look over my mail
BY the way, don't you know Mr.. Trillion
the capitalists"
Il have good reason to remember him
though don't know him myself Ny father
was once connected with him in business, and
not at all to his own advantage
II never heard you speak of your father
in fact, 1 never knew you had one"
at was not necessary to speak of him; he
has been dead many years"
"And left you nothing to remember him
by. Now a man with an estate has per
petual reminder"
$50 has the son of famous man: and peo.
pie are continually depreciating him, com
l. l.. 90
fruitage of the ancestral tree. l prefer to
acquire my own fortune and my own fame
My father did his part by giving me being
and educating me. But come; you have
kept me too long already"
Il suppose | must yield. First lavation
There, wiping the water from his nous
taches, "now l am qualified to meet that
queenly rose, Mrs. Norcross, or even that
delicate spring violet of yours-if we should
find the nook where she blooms"
Arrived at the house where Mrs. Norcross
boarded, they were ushered into the reception
room; but Palette, bidding his friend wait.
followed the servant upstairs. Waiting is
never an agreeable employment. To Oak
hurst the delay was full of torture; he paced
the room, looked at the pictures without see
ing anything, looked out Of the window,
turned over the gift-books on the table,
counted the squares in the carpet, and finally
sat down in utter despair. At length Palette
returned Oakhurst started up.
Where is she! Have you seen herr Why
doesn't she come down. And why, in the
name Of goodness, have you kept me waiting
in this outrageous wayp
u don't know-I have mott can't tell YOU
And because couldn't help it-Never say,
after this Cont answer all your questions y
Now what is the use Of all this mystery r.
SOFTLY, my friend; and let us not make a
mess Of it. Mrs Norcross advises us TO walk
out awhile"
Il am obliged to her and 20 you for your
well-neant caution, but don't intend TO go
out until have seen Agnes-if she will see
me-"
"But consider"
81 have considered, and am determined to
see her; can't endure this suspense
"But Agnes bore it much longer. Be ad-
vised; Mrs. Norcross wants to prepare her for
you"
Il thank you; but Idon't mean TO have any
stratagem acted for my benefit. will trust
the decision TO her; IL she loves me, all will
be well; if her just resentment has uprooted
her love, the sooner / know it the better
While they were engaged in this mutual
expoanla1lon, agnes, ail-uncOnscious OF the
impending situation in the drama, was busy
In her own room-for Mrs. Norcross had not
yet decided bow to break the news to her
and having an errand that led her to tbs
street, she put on her cloak and hat and
uipped lightly down stairs. Naturally she
went into the drawing-roo to make sure, by
the mirror, that her ribbons were neatly ad-
justed AZ she entered, fastening her cloak,
and hamning some simple air meanwhile,
she started back at the sight Of strangers,
and was rapidly retreasing, when voice
that she had not forgotten exclaimed: Great
Heavens, there she Is now. Agnes, Agnesi
stopl beg Of your
Oakhurst at the same time bounded 20 the
door, and, seixing her hand, drew her, be-
wildsred, faint, and futtsring, back into the
room.
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.