Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-20

Iis mind faithfully upon the smile and the
Bttrition Of his hands in order TO continue
them, but he performed them with mechan-
ical regularity for some time.
At u O'Clock on Christmas day Mr. Prouty, |
his fine form clothed in holiday attire and I
his handsome face flushed with eager antici- /
patton, awaited his three expected guests in 4
his study.
Below, the parlors were thrown open, |
long vista of comfortable elegance, with |
flowers in fancy baskets and leaping CRATE |
fires; and the darkened dining room shons |
with the bright array of silver and the |
sprinkling of tinted fairy lights and the scin-
tillations of the laden sidsboard; and the |
odor Of the little pig patiently roasting In the |
range mingled with the aroma of the plum !
pudding steaming above it, and gently hoat-
ed in.
The bell rang, and Mr.. Prouty, pacing his |
study floor with an irregularity of pleasure |
BILE emotion, hurried downward.
Selkirk Prouty was removing his outer gar
ments before the hall mirror. He wore a |
rundown collar Of some width, covered in |
the rear by his falling locks, and joined in |
front by blue silk scarf and he carried |
package. He greeted Mr. Prouty, standing
in speeches. establishment, with a gracious |
smile
81 altered my arrangements" he explained, !
with benignity, land resolved to join you at
your Christmas dinner All; rather cozy,"
he admitted, rubbing his hands before the
CRATE, with unbending OF complacent be-
nevolence. Miss Rogers has not arrived ] |
have slight token TO present TO herr He
unwrapped volume Of his poems and placed
it at conspicuous point on the mantel
Mr.. Prouty opened his lips forcibly, with a
gasp, and stroye to speak. He assured him |
SELF strenuously, that nothing more crafty
ing could possibly have occurred. 1t would
be an excellent opportunity for the further
ance of his hopes regarding Polly; possibly
the occasion would bring about happy cul-
mination. He reproached himself for having
omitted Selkirk from his primal arrange
ment.
II wish to see Miss Rogers privately, by
the way Selkirk continued. 81 have mat
ter to discuss with her which has been for
some time upon my mind, and it occurred to
me to embrace this opportunity"
"Certainly-certainly," Mr.. Prouty muir
INJURED. He looked at his nephew hopefully.
His well poised dignity, his self conferred man
illness, had never appeared to greater advan-
tage surely If there were choice between
his nephews as regarded their fitness for Polly,
Mr. Prouty believed that Selkirk was that
choice.
''If some little management proves neces-
sary for my seeing Miss Rogers privately"
Selkirk added, spreading his blue scarf, 81
may depend on your assistance"
"Assuredly, assuredly," Mr.. Prouty re-
sponded, with hurried warmth.
'Ah, thanks!" Selkirk sank into chair in
a languor of self recollection.
The bell pealed; Mr.. Prouty fastened into
Lao+ a,,I 90, al -,
amazement.
carrying large and very carefully enveloped
burden.
Didn't look for me, ehg' said Bub, remov-
ing his pale gloves. "Wen, changed my
plans and concluded I'd drop In. Just put on
another plate, Molly" he remarked to the
retreating girl.
1.-TWO, Mary" Mr.. Prouty faltered
Bub glanced into the parlor; frowned at
the disclosure of his cousin, and lowered his
voice.
''She amt here yet7 Brought her a little
present; little thing I've been doing" He re-
moved its wrappings and placed it in an adj
vantageous light against the hat rack.
'How's thatr He rubbed his dangling glass
with his scented handkerchief and seized Mr..
Prouty's lapel ''See here l want to see her
little matter. Keep the gang off and give
me chance, will you-eh9"
Mr. Prouty hesitated, bewilderedly. Bulbs
impulsiveness, his offhanded spontaneity
struck him with fresh force, and f4vorably.
Perhaps Pollys clinging sweetness - Mr..
Prouty was certain that Polly's nature was
one Of clinging sweetness-would crave more
warmth, more demonstrative ardor than
Sell1irk would be likely to lavish upon her;
perhaps-yes, surely-Bub would make her
happier.
"Eh?" Buh repeated, sharply.
"Why, yes; to be sure, my boy" said Mr..
Prouty, with dazed cordiality and Bub saun-
tered into the parlor, yawning.
The bell jingled again, this time with d
gentle timidity. Mr.. Prouty felt thrill,
half of poignant pleasure and half Of painful
apprehension, Jingle through him. He went
forward at an unsteady pace.
Yes-it was Polly. She met Mr.. Prouty
with pleasant SMILE and pretty flush, and
laid her gloved hand in his, with her blue
eyes swiftly raised to him; and covered his
agitated silence by chatting brightly of the
day and the weather, as she laid aside her
jacket, and rolled up her gloves and put
them in her muff and pinned her veil
to her hat, and pressed her dextrous hands
TO the shining blonde aureole above her
charming face, and went with her host into
the warm fire lighted, flower scented parlor.
She started back In shy alarm at the
sight of th5 two masculine figures within
Selkirk rose hastily from the chair in which
he was half doing. Bub bounded from the
sofa upon which he was unconventionally re-
cllning They hurried forward simultaneous
ly, and Polly bowed to them each, with a
sweetly impartial smile. Bub looked at Sell
kirk frowningly; Selkirk returned the look
with naughty GOODNESS.
at is a delightfully."- beautiful day, Miss
Rogers" he remarked, drawing a chair near
to her.
at is very pleasant" said Polly.
1.-The glad Observation-Disclosures does not
welcome it2" Selkirk demanded. He looked
suggestively and severely at Mr. Prouty, and
Mr. Prouty, with a sudden startled remem-
brance, turned hastily to Bub.
IL have some engravings I think you
have not seen, Benjamin." he said. They
are in the back parlor."
Bub had slapped down chair at Polly's
vacant side.
Jolly day, Miss Rogersf" he observed.
They are from recent French paintings,
Benjamin" said Mr.. Prouty, an1iousy.
"You will be interested in examining them. "
"I'n awfully glad you're on hand, Miss
with an amazed and threatening glare.
sit is day Of bright associations and
blessed hopes" Selkirk proceeded.
II have not shown you my new edition of
Carlyle Selkirk," Mr. Prouty faltered,
struck by wave of confused recollection.
ST you will come upstairs for a moment to
the library
"It is a season of peace and love- said Sell
kirk with a stern gaze Of wrathful consterna-
ton at Mr.. Prouty.
you're looking tip-top, Miss Rogers" Bub
put in.
"They include some Bonheurs and Meisso
niers, Benjamin. said Mr.. Prouty, daEedly.
IF you will come into the back parlor"-
Bub rose to bis limited height with a vio-
lent jerk. Mr.. Prouty wiped the perspira-
ton from his forehead.
''There is portrait and biography, Sell
kirk" he gasped, with Bulbs fierce eyes upon
him Shall we go up to the hbraryfn
What do you mean by not going, sirin
Bub demanded, cycling his tall cousin Zero
:iously.
ITO whom are you speaking, sirf' Selkirk
rejoined, rising with stern dignity.
Miss Rogers, may request you to accom-
psny me to the further end Of the roomi
desire to speak to you privately; without in
reference"
"Win you 60 into the hall with me, Miss
RogersF" Bub demanded, glowing with
wrath.
Polly, standing with huttering breath and
claspei hands WAS timiily shrinkincly 81