The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-12-25

cret? Eugene Breezy called at the Office
and was told that Mr.. limerick was l.,
South America. l called to make the
same inquiry and was told he was in
Europe. Probably neither of their re.
plies was the truth"
.Still twill not be hard to determine
on the most favorable chances said Mr..
Wilcox. ''Tho man has no business IN
Europe. and. as we know. he has an Of.
flee in Buenos Ayrcs. Tho latter would
undoubtedly be the most likely place tc
| find him."
Then what do you propose to do?'
said Percy.
THAT II for us now to decide" 70.
piled the old man.
II will make proposition" said
Percy, that 60 alone to Bucnos Ayres
| and find out just where this man is, who
he is and what he is doing My further
actions must depend to large exten:
on what discover
Good" said Mr.. Wilcox, land in the
meantime, ] will keep sharp lookout
to see II he returns to New York"
But what excuse shall l have for
going?" asked Percy. 1T will not do to
let too many into the secret"
You can soon frame an excuse. /
have, as you know, large Interest in a
beef extract company down there AMI
that will furnish plausible reason for
your going"
Then it is agreed upon?" queried
Percy.
Eyes. and you can 60 just as soon As
you please"
''As first step, will 60 downtown
in the morning and find odt the best
and quickest means Of reaching Bneno'
Ayres. Steamers sail so seldom 70,
these South American ports that it may
be some weeks before can start"
by noon the next day Percy had
made arrangements to sail on the ANA
ION leaving in four days time for Ric
de Janeiro, whence he would have to re-
embark for the River Plata. That
same night Percy and Armida were en-
gagged to go to ball at the Metropolis
tan Opera House.
They had not been drawn far into the
maelstrom Of New York society bu,
their life was not without some little
pleasures of the kind and this was one
OF the exceptional occasions. This
would probably be Pcrcy's last oppor.
tuntty OF escorting Armida anywhere
during that season. The ball passed OF
pleasantly. but several times during the
evening Percy felt that the attentions
which Armida was receiving from q
crowd of admirers worried him cons;d
erably and he began TO wonder whether
it would be safe to leave her among
such crowd Of eligible men. During
his absence she might possibly moo,
one who would capture her free heart
IN that case she would never know thu,
he had loved her unless ha told hel
now.
Many times during tho evening Ar
mida found him sitting in quiet place
apparently lost in thought and once sac
accused him of being exceedingly dull
But Percy had made up his mind VIVA,
he would do, and on the way homo from
the ball he began to put test question:
to Armida The result Of her reptile.
was that as they each sat in tho pario
warming their toes over register pre-
yious to retiring. Percy declared hi
passion. 1t was only the old story to!e
perhaps with slight variation. but be
fore Ls had finished Mr.. Wilcox. wh,
had heard their voices. came down t,
have parting word. /. was past hi
usual time for retiring. but he ha,
waited to see the pleasure-secixers 70
turn as he knew they would not remain
very late and even now 1t aas only
little after one o'clock. He ca a,a down
stairs almost noiselessly and % h.
reached the door Of the parlor b. notices
Percy bending very closely over Armid
engaged in earnest conversation. TIL
old fellow was angry with himself 70
interrupting SO interesting u scena. bu
having entered he could not At one
withdraw. "Ah." no thought. "tais
encouraging"
Armida soon retired and lott MI
Wilcox ara Percy to have tall: Lcfor
going to bed. Percy did not tel, M,
Wilcox WI at happened and II dcsnl,or
conversation relative to Percy's dc
parture was INDUCED in and they scpa
rated for the night
Alas. how easily things 60 wronl;--
word seit out or q sigh too long
The bright sun chased away by tl,c rain.
And life IL never the same again"
How near. that night. Percy was
winning Armida for his wife will move
be known. That was lis last chInce I
be alone with her for many Il long da
"A chance spoiled quite inaasertcntl
by the last man who would have wishe
to do such thing.
Two days later he was on his way I
South America.
TO ~ egn7lNUtp.1