The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-07-26
IRIS AND AUNTlE.

his face corroborated his assertion.
GOOD heavens" l exclaimed.
where's the objectionw he began,
in an injured tone. Because it's not
conventional because it's contrary to
custom? That's conventionality's fault,
not mine. Look here, Reggie, throw
precedent and sneaking sentimental
ism to the winds and look the thing
straight in the face and then point out
the harm. Iris Maypel is an angel, we
will assume"
Agreed | said, enthusiastically.
"Oh, we all know you're gone on
her," he replied, snappishly.
Go on" | said.
well If Iris is an angel"
Good heavens!' l interrupted again.
"That's just the point. If should not
enter into the argument. 1t never does,
in fact, where there's real love. That's
the sure signal Of affection. Elimin-
ate the affection and in creeps the if
You're young Reggie" replied Bob.
in tone that made my lip curl. We
will return to our hypothesis. II Iris
is an angel--which at present ] am in
cined to allow-and If she is expect
ing me to put the marriage question
which l feel positive is a fact-where
Is the harm if you go to a private de-
tective-to Norton Scrubbs, to wit
and say, L want to know the ups and
downs of Miss Iris Maypel; here's my
money, report as soon as possibleT
Where's the harm? In a few days I
know all about the lovely Iris from
the worlds standpoint, my own con-
victions confirmed beyond question in
the future. Sure of the quality of my
game, load and fire, and at my feet
falls the young and lovely Iris"
And if the detective report is not to
your liking?"
"Ah, that's where the gain comes in.
1 am saved lifelong disaster. There
are fools who aver that marriage is
lottery. Boshl Built on commercial
basis it's as sure a thing as exists. Start
without any bad debts-without any
misunderstanding, fallacies, precon-
ceived embellishments which never ex-
listed but in your Imagination, and
there's lifelong happiness to draw
from as you require. Where, l repeat,
is the harm of inquiry"
was too disgusted to reply, so plead
ed an engagement and left him.
Bob Pallant was my friend, and I
doubt if | could have swallowed his
impertinent suggestion had it referred
to a stranger but when Iris, the pretty,
soft-voiced, downy-cheeked, innocent
eyed Iris was concerned my stomach
absolutely refused. For l adored Iris
Maypel, and that she should be SUBJ
jected to such an insult as Bob pro-
posed made me simmer. For it was
an insult this prying into her spent
life, even If Iris were conscious of the
liberty. Moreover, l had read of how
these private inquiry agents would pry
even around the domestic hearth, and
could-by mistake or intent-throw
such lurid light upon little error as
to make it appear CHASTITY and ter
rible.
Her innocence alone should protect
her from such duplicity," l argued as
| walked. TO attack such guileless
rusticity with the subtleties of urban
resource was blackguardly in the ex-
treme. Even Iris maternal aunt, who
had piloted her through her first Lon
don season with creditable care and
watchfulness, would hardly be alert to
Bob's unprincipled suggestion.
| wished, as 1 went my way, that one
OF Iris brothers would suddenly pre-
sent himself, Tor I felt equal to prov
ing my friendship to Bob by disclosing
his intention ere he could perpetrate it.
But, after all | knew, Iris was brother
less. I had never managed to elicit
much information of her people beyond
the simple fact that they lived in the
country; certainly that huge, rambling
mansion buried in the recesses of a
ll-timbered park from which there
issued in the morning gay squires and
fair ladies in full hunting rig, and
where, at night, loves soft cooling was
echoed by the woodland doves and the
roar of a hunting chorus was mocked
at by the owls, could not have been al
together a mental alteration, though
who put it all into my head, If not Iris
or her auntie. could not recall
I purposely avoided Bob's rooms for
week / knew / should only insult
him if | went, and l was loath to do
that. Besides, upon reflection, little
brightness broke through the mist. If
Norton Scrubs made mistake and
either by accident or deslgn-suppIieu
Bob with a report of Iris character and
upbringing, libellous and untrue, Bob
would throw ND the sponge, and then
All along ii had been patent, to me,
at least, that Iris preference for Bob
was the result Of chance. She had met
him an hour before | was introduced
and Bob had made the running. He had
had the start Of me and l was not
quite good enough to overhaul him.
But what opportunities for me was Of
fered by an adverse report from Nor
ton Scrubs. would never submit my
darling TO such an indignity. l would
never
In the midst Of my reverie in walk
ed Bob.
Congratulate me, Reggie" he smil-
ed.
"Eh? You're-you're engaged, do
you say?"
GAS good as I've got Scrubbs' re-
port Here it is. Iris Maypel, OF
Maypel Court in the County of Blank,
shire, only child and heiress Of Alex
ander Thomas Maypel, j. p"
He looked up suddenly from the pa
per.
IT verified name and address in tn,
county register" he said.
Anything more?" / asked
"Oh, yes, lots. I'll give you pertin
ent extracts. Born. May, 1876 She
L