The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1888-04-19

affecting to be unaware of Natalic's pres
ence.
why. there she is. Don't you see her!'
Looking up, hastily. the young man blushed
(thank Heaven this was genuine, and stands
out like refreshing, green oasis in the des-
crt of all his other artificial. cut-and-dried
actions), appeared surprised, and quickly
and rather awkwardly pulled OF his hat and
bowed
Natalie looked puzzled And she was dis
turbed. Where had she seen that brow and
those eyes before. They both were strange
ly familiar.
her reflection. the hat was replaced. and
Arthur Fairfax came forward, and smiling
ly said:
This little fairy has dragged me, willy
nilly into the presence OF a stranger who. !
trust, appreciates my situation, aud will
pardon this seeming intrusions"
What a pleasant voice! Natalie saw
on closer inspection that he was much older
than ut first sight he had appeared She
now oyershot the mark, and called him
thirty.
In reply to his remark, she answered,
simply and quietly:
Il think you must be the gentleman who
has captured Dolores heart
'.Ah:' queried he. laughing. II can't say
as to that. But lido know that I'm one Of the
individuals whose heart Dolores has capt
ured''
Natalie smiled. and Dolores turned her at
tention to Max, having overcome her fears
Of that large animal.
'.Yes.'' continued the stranger. Il came
here day or two ago to hunt for roll OF
music that lost somewhere about here,
and while was searching, met this young
fairy
WAS it manuscript" eagerly interrupted
Natalie.
1T was. promptly responded the other,
feeling that his ruse was succeeding.
WAS it called Stella Mca.'''
1T was. again he replied. affecting a lit
tie well-feigned establishment ut her ques-
tons and manner.
Then | have it, continued she. with
evident delight. = found it here. and. do
you know, like it very much, indeed. Did
YOU really compose it. You are musical,
them as well as poctical."
Verify, Mistress Natalie was overcoming
her man-hating procliyities.
Still this was not at all surprising. When
this young man resolved TO win the good
will of any one. male or female. few reason
ness, that apparent simple-mindcdness
threw strangers OF their guard, and ere
they knew it, the citadal of their reserve had
quite capitulated.
Il am glad you like it. indeed answered
he, with slight bow, looking very much
pleased. '.How fortunate ! am to have met
you! For, strangely enough, have been
unable to recall all Of either the melody or
the words May return with you to the
house and get it,
''Certainly," replied Natalie, falling quick
ly into the trap; I'm very glad to have dis
covered its owner"
The ice was now broken.
Fairfax had once more plotted success
fully. Natalie, had she only paused to re-
fleet upon her course, might have been sur
prised, to say the least. She was chatting
away as gayly and unconcernedly with this
stranger, of whom she knew absolutely
nothing, as if she had known him for years.
They walked together up toward the cot
tage, Dolores between them, holding tho
hand of each in her tiny fingers, while Max
followed demurely behind.
Fairfax quite naturally let slip the re-
mark that he was located in the pretty cot
tage across the fields-Natalie had often
seen it and admired its charming situation
and quaint architecture-''and," he added,
Il have rented it for the autumn months.
Glen Gore is it's name"
Fairfax refraincd from making any per-
sonal remarks whatever to Natalie until, as
| they approached the house, he said:
II think must have heard you singing,
when I passed along the shore recently.
| You sing, do you mott"
"Yes," answered she, simply. do you!"
"No, am sorry to say do not. l some
times play for my own amusement, but
there is such wretched piano in my cot
tage that take little pleasure in perform
ing upon it. Have you q good piano"
"Yes,' said she, readily and unsus-
piciocsly falling into the second little trap
he was laying.
He had so timed his question that they
now stood on the porch, and Natalie, before
she realized what she was doing, had added,
courteously:
''Will you come in and try it.''
with pleasure" responded he, immedi-
ately stepping in through the door.
AT first Natalie felt little alarmed, when
she considered that she had introduced an
absolute stranger into her dcfenseless and
"maleless" home. Fairfax, however, gave
her no time for reflection. With easy
grace and the utmost GOODNESS he moved
quickly toward the instrument, uttering, as
he neared it, the pleased exclamation:
''How delightful! know the make well!'
So saying, he sat down before the key.
board and began soft, sweet prelude OF
Chopin's. Natalie Immediately recognized
the touch of a musician, and listened with
increasing pleasure.
Fairfax now decided upon . bold eosD
d'et0t.
49,, fro sE oos1lsuzn4 ~ !.