Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-01-26


this crooked grove, he glanced at that
mornings issue of the Daily Courier
and, by strange fatality, his eyes
fell upon the following advertisement
ADVICE to those about to get mar
ed-don't-follow the celebrated
caution Of Mr.. Punch but rather as
certain through Mr.. Providers Pri-
vate Inquiry Agency the aatecedents
OF the lady Of your choice: remember
matrimony is IN irreyocable step, but
under favorable circumstances, it is a
step onward. So consult Mr.. Prowler.
21A Frederick Place, Old Jewry. T.. C.
Hours. 10 to {.
All that day, though Mr.: Jeffock' $
head was bent over musty parchments,
the advertisement stared him i'm the
face. 1t was not chiyalrous to doubt
his lady love, but Mr.. Jeffcock was
scarcely a chivalrous person, nor had
his affection been purely disinterested
The long and short of it was that
when he left the office al ) that after
noon, he bent his steps TO the dark
and dingy little place wherein the
ingenious Mr.. PrOWler had his Lair.
Having sent UP his card, he was
shown into back room on the first
floor. He heard voices in the next
room. Then in few minutes time
the door Of the front room burst open
and CHEEKY, ringing voice cried out:
Well ta-ta, good Old Prowler;
you've managed the affair AL Given
the old chap the complete knock. I've
made the check out for IN extra pony
No thanks"
'Good-by, capting; good luck to you;
and, next time, look if the DOORS shut"
The footsteps died away, and the
last speaker, who was clearly Mr.
Prowler, popped his head into the
waiting room, and. saying:
Now, SIR led Mr. Jeffcocl into his
sanctum.
Mr.. Prowlcr was a very sharp-look-
ing gentleman. whose naturally vlll-
pine expression was enhanced by Il
pair of red bristly whiskers.
I'm afraid, sir, the rooms Il bit
full Of smoke" he said, throwing open
the window. You see, my friend,
Captng Somerset, he must have his
weed. Just arranged Il little affair for
him; lady, don't you know Every
thing put straight-no scandal; so he
sort of man / like to work and slave
for"
He must be uncOmmonly well off, -
remarked Mr.. Jeffock, apprehenSively.
Well off! bless your heart, why
he's stone broke He's going 10 have
Il final bust in the 'Shires,' and then,
so he says, he'll file Il petition in
bankruptcy and enlist us Il trooper in
the Blues. But never mind the cap
ting. Now, sir, let ne know what I
can do for YOU
With Sundry "hem's" and has" and
Il general air of having just robbed
Il henroost, Mr.. Jeffcock explained that
he had become mot exactly engaged"
but very intimate with young lady
in the position Of Il governess. That
she had been in several situa tons be-
fore her present one. none of which
she had kept long. And. in short, be
fore he became definitely engaged he
would like to know why she had left
these situations whether it was
fault of temper or was it some other
cause perhaps more serious. He had
seen Mr. Providers advertisement that
hence his visit.
Most prudent, sir. most prudent"
said Mr.. ProWler. Young ladies in
that position have frequently stories
But first. sir, kindly tell me what posi-
ton do you yourself hold
Il am managing clerk to firm of
HIM calculated Mr.. Prowler.
Now, Mr.-Mr. Jeffcock," he contin-
ued, glancinG at the card before him.
What is the true reason for your
desiring to marry this girl at all? 1t
is clear you are not i'll love with her,
otherwise you would mot be here.
Your own income, l may assume, is not
very large. and the girl is, prcsuma-
bly,. pennileSs. Now, what is your mo-
tive. 1t is better that we should have
no concealment
Mr. Jeffcock was startled. The I'M
erring skill with which the inquiry
agent had put his finger Oh the right
spot unneryed him.
Though Mr. Providers foxy smile
did not encourage confidence, the man
. ginS clerk forthwith told him without
reserve the true reason of his wooin@.
The girl, unknown to herself, held a re-
version of a large sum of money; but
there might be a protracted interval
before she succeeded to it. And; there
fore, as it rested upon the girls char
acter whether their married life on
4 small income would be happy, the
question arose, was the game worth
the candle?
Well" said Mr.. Prowler. IN do my
best for you. The position is certainly
very curious. And, of course, l can
easily guess the means whereby you
obtained the information regarding Mr..
Merrydew's will. But that's not my
business. You must find out from her
the various people with whom she has
lived and let me have their present
addresses. But TO save time, trouble
and expense, you must introduce me
to her 1t might simplify matters"
simplify matters" echoed Mr.. jeff
cock
Certainly; the young lady's name
you tell me is Miss Mary Crofton
That may be her real name. but for
aught you know l may have come
across her during my various investi-
rr, ,,nIn,. Soma nfhar nop,n Ali