Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-10-29

lN, without looking up. 1T was very
natural, and so was your action; but
il was terribly unfortunate that that
Woman overheard YOU, You see, she's
\ relative of mine, with an interest in
my property, and that interest would
be affected by my marriage She eN-
acted half promise from me once
that wouldn't marry again, and
talked about being mother to my
daughter. and all that; hut you can soc
OF course. that she's wholly untitled
for such q place, wouldn't have her
in the house nov, hut that Betsty's de-
parture some time ago, made il neVcS-
sary to have somebody about.
Your daughter seemed to greet Mrs
Appleton as a stranger" remarked the
doctor who was convinced that Pro
fessor nrummoud was lying.
Mes. They never met before Mrs
Appleton came to Fairviaw You see,
ii was my plan if youl mother con
Sidcred my offer tavorahly, 10 have the
marriage take place without Mrs.
Applcton's knowledge wanted to
avoid just such scenes as YOU witnessed
moment ago"
The doctor made no comment
You were saying about your
mother" remarked the professor, ten
tatively.
Il think, responded the doctor,
without Disgusting his contempt, that
won't continue the discussion"
Some other time them" said the
professor
Possibly; bat let us understand that
| am to speak for my mother, If YOU
have anything to say, address yourself
to me-
Agreed my dear boy agreed Pray
don't let my little exhibition of temper
disturb YOU My bark is worse than
my bite.
Dr Williams hurried from the room
with Il consciousness of ign0miulous
failure. The dramatic conuetemps he
neither regretted nor considered. 1t
was sufficient that he felt wholly I'M
equal to the task of Wtfully winning
some confidence from the professor
How diff ,rently thai; smooth Phil
brick would have managed" he
thought.
The smooth" philbrick was certain
ly having an easy time of it in the
course he had chosen to follow. Louise
with her ready faculty Of dtsregarding
dtsagreeable things, was bright aud
laxative when with him and never
withheld her compionship. \ hundred
times he seemed to be on the point Of
prOnouncing the magic words, Il love
YOU, and as many times he drew back
Just avoiding them. and keeping her
heart in a constant tluttcr of cXpCctan-
Cy. She leased him about himself and
he had told her many a yarn from his
experiences, never defining his posi-
sion in the world with absolute def
nitcness, but giving her to understand
that he was man of means, that he
travelled much, and lived where ana as
long as his fancy suited
That morning, when the professors
voice was heard in angry alteration
with DR. Williams and the other ply
slcians. she had expressed alarm, and
wish that her father could avoid such
distressing scenes. Philbrick had said
he guessed he could sop it, and had
gone in through the window She
had not seen what he did or heard
what he said but she had observed the
result and it filled her with wonder
approaching awe. What wonder, she
reflected, that man who exercised
such a strong control over her father
should have completely mastered her
own spirit?
Professor Drummond remained
whore the doctor had left him for
several minutes, and then sought Mrs
Appleton, with whom he convcrsed
al length. After that he went out to
the piazza and paced back and forth
its entire length. a glance in at the
dining-room window showed Philbrlclt
in his custo nary attitude of leaning
slightly toward Louise, as if every
breath she drew were precious mes
sage to him.
What does he know? What does
he know" rang repeatedly in the pro-
fessor's thoughts.
He wished that he had managed
better with the doctor
III Mrs Williams will even consider
the proposition he reflected, that
end Of the situation may be covered.
Then there's Philbrick, and II uise will
fix him I'm only holding back with
her, anyway for the sake Of securing
the doctor What's the use? The
doctor seems to be out with her and
all chances must be taken on that side
with his mother, and the fact that he
is publicly committed to an oDjIIon
that ought to settle the matter. Phil
brick it is, then.
When he came 70 this conclusion he
was standing in the front door looking
toward the dining-room. Philbrick
and Louise came out at that moment.
The time seemed opportune for a
stroke. and the professor tried TO play
il. Mrs. Williams was at the head Of the
stairs, but he didn't see her until he
had begun TO speak and then 1t was