The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-07-03

for her by awaiter more humane, OF
less driven than his testy comrade.
You are very good. and We arc much
obliged to you," the guardian said. with
a little bow of acknowledgement which
he took as dismissal also. withdrawing
to his own place. .sSet the table fol
seycn--please." he heard her continu,
to the waiter. busincss-like and quiet
land reserve another seat at that Ia.
Notwithstanding one remote from the
larger--.for gentleman who will
come in by and by. There is man,
too. for whom wish to order luncheon
at the counter in that room. He can
get good meal and be comfortable
there. ,uppose?'
"a travelling party Of nine though,
March. apparently intent upon the
depths OF his soup turcen. with this
girl as courier. yet she mentioned two
men,
The family filed in while he specu.
lated. Twin-boys of twelve or thirteen.
dressed exactly alike in gray jackets
and knickerbockers. except that the
rcd-haired one wore blue Eeck-tie and
the brown-haired scarlet; pretty
blue-eyed girl Of eight. and a foddler Of
two, led by sweetfaced mother. with
fair hair and faintly-tintcd complexion
Of the china sheperdess school. The
courier" assisted by the waiter. seated
them all without hustle. before ad-
dressing an individual. who had fol.
lowed a. a respectful distance. and now
hung aloof, chewing the brim Of u bran
new straw bat.
Homer said the young lady. gently
and distinctly, as She might direct a
child, "You will get your dinner in the
next room. Come
by shifting his position slightly.
March could see her point the man to a
stool and give orders for his refresh
mcnt. lie was understood. lean and
sandy-haired. small of feature and lout-
ish in carriage. His eyes had red rims,
and blinked necessarily, as If excess
siyely weak or purblind. When he be-
gan operations upon coffee and sand
wiches. he gobbled voraciously, gnaw-
ing off mouthfuls like greedy dog.
His clothes were SO distrcssingly ready
made, and accumulated his uncouthness
SO numerically as to leave no doubt
that the wearing of coat and vest was q
novelty and an e4uivocal boon.
IAN odd fish, commented March.
mentally. why should a civilized fam
lily haul him after them like a badly.
made kite-tail? And they are not vul.
garians, either.'
Ills eyes strayed discrectly back to the
table set for seven. The mistress of Ger.
emonies sat at the head. and was study.
ing the printed menu. 1t lay fiat on the
cloth that the crippled girl at her right
might read it with her. Their heads
We're close together, and the gravity
upon the countenance of the elder was
reflected by the shrewd clfin face. Pres
emily they began to whisper, the bare,
thin finger Of the younger Of the two
tracing the lines to the extreme right oil
the carte. 1t was plainly aquestion OF
comparative expense, March perceived
with a pang of his kind heart. For he
had been boy himself, and the chill.
dren were hungry.
Hurry up-won't you, Hetty," called
the red-headed twin, impatiently
Give US the first thing you come to $,
long as it isn't corncd beef, pork and
beans, or rice pudding. I'm starredr'
me, too" echoed his fellow.
''Iou needn't make mince-meat oil
your English on that account" piped the
crippled sister, tartly. 1t is no little
matter to order just the right things FOL
such host. Mamma. you must have Q
cup of tea, SUPPOSE"
The young lady interposed, writing
while she talked:
''Of course. And all of us will be the
better for some good, hot soup. This il
luncheon, not dinner, recollect. We
only need something to stay our appe
tites until six o'clock" she added put
ting the paper in tho walters hand.
She did not look like one who did
things for effect, yet there was meaning
in her manner of saying it. If she
was obliged to cut her coat according te
her cloth she would just now make tho
scantiness of the pattern seem a matter
of choice and carry out the seeming gal
, lantly.
''Iow much further have we to COP
qucried eight-year-old, somewhat rue
fully.
Six o'clock was to her apprehension 3
long time ahead.
1--WE are within half an hour of home
We might have been there by now, bn,
we thought 1t better to wait over q