The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-12-04

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"M,ss MARLo.v, WHERE HAVE YoU pEEz
HIDING?"
the day after you left for New Orleans"
rs there any thing very unpleasant
about his attcntions?" was Percy's next
question.
Decidedly so. He is man toward
whom / formed dislike at first sight,
and besides, he dyes his beard. Some
how l never could like . man whose
beard was black all over except At tho
roots"
"You must be Of an ultra-observing
nature remarked Percy.
That is one of the things any woman
will observe" was tho reply. Then she
continued: Ills attentions are the
more Objectionable because they are 50
marked. Were he to see me now he
would be out here in = moment asking
me to dance. really imagine, If the
truth were known, that he is at an age
when dancing is one Of the last things
which would be expected OF him."
''Who is hep" asked Percy.
''IIe was introduced to me as Mr..
limerick. and he volunteered the in
formation that he is engaged in tho
shipping trade with South America.
His place of business is in New York, !
believe"
Percy had been intently watching
Mr.. limerick during the conversation
and was getting interested.
rs he an American" he now asked.
mo, he is not. but it would be dim.
cult to tell what his nationality really
Is. lie speaks perfect English, but there
is just touch Of foreign accent in his
speech. Myself, I should judge him to
be Italian"
DO the people who introduce you to
him know any thing Of his history"
II never asked" answered Armida.
"When we were introduced the lady
who performed tho ceremony did not
speak very clearly, and he persists in
addressing me as Miss NARROW. Up to
the present ] have no intention OF cor
recting the error, thinking his occasions
for speaking to me likely to be very few,
and indeed they will. rs We arc going
away in day or two"
1T may be Imagination" said Percy.
''but there is something familiar to me
in that mans movements; at times he
moves in . manner which l recognize,
| and then, again, he seems to act as
though in an unnatural manner. How
| ever. suppose it is, II anybody 1T all,
| some one / met in Paris in the days OF
long ago. Any way, there is no reason
why we should watch him; your interest
in him is only slight and l have none
whatever. So let us move on" With
these words they moved away.
| An hour later they wero back in the
same spot, and as they sat talking the
gentleman whom they had watched
earlier in the evening came toward
them and stood beside their chairs al
most before they had noticed him.
'Good evening, Miss NARROW. Where
have you been hiding yourself of late7
Your presence has not graced the ball
room during the entire evening"
mo, have been too weary to dance.
The hard society work OF the past few
weeks has almost Frustrated me. But
pardon me-Mr limerick, allow me to
introduce Mr.. Lowell"
The two gentlemen exchanged gree t.
ings, and the elder one remarked: 'Oul
charming young friend Miss NARROW is
in great demand among the gentlemen
of our circle here. Will you not 10th
join us in tho ballroom?"
| Il fear you have mistaken tho lady's
name," said Percy. looking his listener
straight in the face; ''her name Is not
NARROW, but Delaro."
The stranger seemed confused, appar
emily on account of his blunder, but hi
quickly recovered his polite composurt
and profuscly apologised to Armida-
II hope you will allow that it wa.
quite natural mistake" he said -
trust am pardoned; the fact is that {
pistol shot was fred near to my left cal
when was quite young which deafened
me, and as l stood to the right of the
lady who introduced me to Miss Delaro
the mistake is accounted for. Am
pardoned?" he asked, turning to Ar
mida.
Certainly" was the reply.
The tall stranger did not remain lonf
in their company after that. A few or
binary civilities were passed and HI
left them. ostensibly to return to tn.
ballroom, but Armida afterwards re
marked to Percy that he had not done
| 80.
Il share your dislike for the affablt
gentleman said Percy, as he and Ar
| mida returned to their rooms.
Late that night when nearly every
body had gone to bed Percy went to Mr.
Wilcox's room to have few words with
that worthy individual.
Wont you smoke q cigar, Percy?'
the old man asked.
Percy accepted one, and when he had
lit it he threw himself back in his chair
and opened up quietly by saying:
| mir. Wilcox"
"Well. my boy" for he still called
Percy q boy, II am all attention
what's in the wind, another clew?"
mo, not this time. We are called
upon to protect and not to prosecute,
said Percy.
| TO BE CONTINUED