The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-08-01
IRIS AND, AUNTIE.
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"Put you are not IN earneSC! 1 Salu.
,"Certainly 1 am" replied Bob, and
his face corroborated his assertion.
"Good heavens!' I exclaimed.
"Where's the objection!' he began,
in an injured tone. because it's not
conventional, because it's contrary to
custom? That's conventionality fault,
not mine. Look here, Reggie. throw
precedent and sneaking sentiment
talism to the winds, and then look the
thing straight in the face and then
point out the harm. Iris Maypel IS IN
angel, we will assume.
s'Agreed." | said, enthusiastically.
sob, we all know you're gone on
her." he replied snappishly.
go on" | said.
"Well, if Iris is all angel
"Good heavens!' l interrupted again.
"rhat'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.
Eliminate the affection. and in creeps
the if
You're young, Reggie" replied Bob,
in a tone that made my lip curl. I've
will return to our hypothesis. If Iris
is an ange|which at present am in
clined to allow-and if she is expect
ing me to put the marriage question
which l feel positive is fact-where
is the harm if l go to a private de-
tective--to Norton Scrubbs, to wit
and say, I want to know the ups and
downs OF MSS Iris Maypel; here's my
money. report as soon as pOSSiDle"
Where's the harm? In a few days 1
know all about the lovely Iris from the
worlds standpoint, my own convic-
tons confirmed beyond question in the
future. Sure of the quality of my
game. l load and fire, and at my feet
falls the young and lovely Iris"
and if the detectives report is not
to your liking?'
"Ah, that's where the gain comes
in. l an saved a lifelong disaster.
There are fools that aver that mar
riage is a lottery. Bosh! Built on a
commercial basis. it's as sure thing
as exists. Start without any bad
debts-without any misunderstand
ingS, fallacies, preconceived elnlellish-
mentS which never existed but in
your imagination, and there's a life
long happiness to draw from as you
require. Where. / repeat, is the harm
Of inquiry?'
| was too disguised to reply so
pleaded an engagement and left him.
Bob Pallant was my friend, and I
doubt if I could have swallowed his
impertinent suggestion had it referred
to stranger, but when Iris, the pref
ty, soft-voiced, downy-cheeked, inno-
cent-eyed Iris was concerned, my
stomach absolutely refused For I
adored Iris Maypel and that she
should be subjected to such an insult
as Bob proposed made me simmer
For it was an insult this prying into
hcr spent life, even if Iris were con-
scious of the liberty. Moreover. I had
read of how these private inquiry
agents would pry even around the do
nestle hearth, and could-by mistake
or intent-throw such lurid light upon
a little error as to make it appear
CHASTITY and terrible.
Her innocence alone should protect
her from such duplicity," argued as
I walked. "To attack such guileless
rusticity with the subtleties of urban
resource was blackguardly in the ex-
IRENE. Even Il'iS's 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.
1 wished as I went my way, that
one of Iris's brothers would suddenly
present himself, for 1 felt equal to
proving my friendship to Bob by dis
closing his intention ere he could per-
petrate it. But, for 1 knew, Iris was
brotherless. I had never imagined to
elicit such information of her people
beyond the simple fact. that they liv-
eel in the country; certainly that huge
rambling mansion buried in the re.
cesses Of a well-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 God
land doves and the roar Of q hunting
chorus was Knocked at by the owls
could not have been altogether a men
tai alteration, though who put it al
into my head, if not Iris or her avntie
I could not recall
purposely avoided Bob's rooms fo
a week. l knew I should only insul
him if went, and I was loath to d,
that. Besides, upon reflection. a littl
brightness broke through the mist
If Norton Scrubs made a inistak
and-either by accident or design
supplied Bob with report of Iris
character and upbringing, libellou
and untrue. Bob would throw up tn
sponge, and then
All along it had been patent, to me
at least that 1ris's preference for Bo
was the result of chance. She had me
him an hour before was introduced
and Bob had made the running. H
had had the start Of me, and wa
not quite good enough to verlar
him. But what opportunities for m
were offered by an adverse repo1
from Norwood Scrubbs! would neve
submit my darling to such an indign
ty. I would never ....
In the midst of my reverie in wall
ed Bob.
"Congratulate me, Reggie he smi
ed. .& E
"Eh? 1oure-yo,t're engaged, d
you say?" @sa3. .-a. ~
" GAS good as. I've got Scrubs r,
port Here it is. Iris Maypel, {
Maypel Court, in the county of Blanl
shire. only child and heiress Of Ale,
nEder Thomas Maypel. J. Pr
y