The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1895-09-26

ly. "Why will you continue to insult
the girl you pretend to lover"
Bob laughted light-heartedly.
"Confound your impudence and
your hospitality he said. Haven't
you some whisky or something to
pledge inc with, Reggie?"
l found him some liquor and he
drank but mine stood untasted, though
/ did, in a feeble way, wish him every
thing he desired. My recent hope,
quashed so loon after birth, left me
limp.
by the by" l remarked, presently,
"you take Scrubs report for gospel,
l notice. You don't question his-er-
veracity?'
Bob laughed merrily.
Question the %yeracity of Norton
Scrubs! Doubt the written word Of
the smartest man in his profession!
No, my boy, only an idiot would do
that. Why, even the bar acts upon it,
sometimes. Besides, look at his bill
of costs. Fare to Maypel Court, first
return-E3 1Ss. Lodging and board at
hosiery in the vicinity of the court,
together with tips for information
aud so fOrth-E3 As. What do those
items mean?'
sob, | suppose it's all right / re-
piled. 81 don't doubt that one Of the
hounds has followed the scent, but it's
amazing to me, that you can be salts
fled with the report of any third per-
son aud yet be incredulOus of your
own eyes
Now look here, old man." said Bob,
with a p%aternal flourish, whats mine
can't be yOurs-where a wife is con-
cerned at all events; and so make up
your mind to the inevitable, and if
you must love Iris Maypel learn to love
her as a sister, though there's greater
security both for you and me, to say
nothing of our friendship, if you drop
loving her at ALI"
He left me to ponder over his well
meaning hint and 1 was vainly en-
deavoring to perceive the truth in it
when a letter from Iris was handed In.
The first few lines led up to this:
why have you deserted Us SO long.
Mr.. Give? Failing to meet you at any
social gathering where you are usual
ly to be found we quite expected you
to call. | have, with great difficult.
dissuaded dear auntie from the belief
that | have offended you. Will you
not come and assert your innocence?
Dear auntie's box for Wednesdays
first night is not filed, and if YOU
will honor us by helping to fill it dear
auntie will be really delighted-as also
yours, etc,
"p. S.-Kindly drop us a line to-day.
If you have the inclination to bring
your answer, auntie will be at home
as also yours. etc."
] read the lines and then eudeayor-
ed to read between them. Iris had
V approached me in so intimate
a mood-in fact, | had been shown to
comprehension more than once that
Bobs friend was not necessarily upon
the same family footing as Bob. And
as for auntie-certainly her cold civil
ty had often impressed me, but | had
never flattered myself that she would
have concerned herself if Iris had of
Tended, aye, inSulted me a dozen times
a week.
However, / quickly, resolved upon
action. | would call upon Iris, and if
things ooked favorable l would prom
Use myself for the Wednesday, If not,
L could easily invent an excuse
The fact is, hope, so recently evap-
Grated, condensed again, and | drank
it with avidity.
| fancied there was a smile on the
mans face when he opened the door
of the pretty fat in st. James, and
said
Miss Maypel is in the conservatory
Sir, and expecting you"
Inc mans Smirk spOilt what else
would have been my record heart
leap. Still, 1t looked hopeful that Iris
vas waiting for me in a place l knew
from observation her aunt did not fire.
quent.
The man left me hurriedIy at the
door and | walked around the conser-
Vatory twice and peeped behind every
available refuge-there were giant
palms and no less giant screens in
plenty, Dut Iris was not there.
l stood perpleXed, wondering if
there were any connection between
Iris absence and that ugly serving
mans Smirk. But suddenly heard a
voice, at first family, and then most
distinctly.
Don't be a fool" it said. "You'U
get your money right enough, # you
wait. only let me run alone. I've
got my e screwed on right, | can
assure you. If you interfere you'll
suffer for it, that's ALL"
1T was Iris voice!
But my dear"
There was the thin, piping voice of
her aunt.
Don't but at me"' interrupted Iris.
angrily. Bob Pallant is off, | tell
you, INC all your arguments won't
bring him on again. Little Reggie
Gives my man now"
shrank within myself. At the mo-
ment Iris spoke my name they had
entered the conservatory, and | had
arranged myself for a formidable
sneeZe with which to announce nv
presence. But the end of Iris's SEN
tence broke off my sneeze into a mere
sigh, and before | could rearran ge NV
self for he effort they were speaking
again, and | was uncertain whether.
it was best to boldly face them or to
wait behind the screen on the chance
that they would soon clear out.
81 suppose | must tell you the whole
tale.' Iris continued, peevishly,
though some things are best kept to
oneself Bob Pallant has made an
eEregriOus ass of himself"
Good gracious! How 2" breathlessly
exclaimed auntie.
applied to Cousin Norton for nv
character and antecedents."
WELL"
"Of course Norton humuggbed him
right enough, told pretty lies about