Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-11-05
|Before TheyWere Married.;
Ry HENRY c. PARKER.


here, thought the professor. 1t
he doesn't feel grateful 10 me for get
ting him our of a Scrape. I'm mis-
taken"
Mrs Fhilbriek had dropped Louise's
hand, and now stood looking from one
to another in embarrassment and
doubt.
Il arrived in Belmont about an hour
ago" she said slowly. rs if talking TO
herself, and went nj once to the hotel.
Mr.. Philbrick was not in, and learned
that probably | would find him here.
So | came down, without the least
thought of making Il scene. | think
we'd better go to the hotel, Amasa."
certainly, my dear" responded
Philbrick, humbly.
Let me get the carriage and drive
YOU down. exclaimed the professor
Thank YOU no, returned Mrs.
Philbrick, firmly, Il much prefer to
walk"
I'm not urge it. then; but won't you
sit down and rest?'
Il am not tired. The business |
come to see my husband about is pres
sing. and | must speak to him."
The professor was very urgent with
his hospitality. He was congratulate
ing himself that the device attempted
by Louise was succeeding under his
hands. Could he but succeed in pre-
venting domestic break in the Phil
brick partnership, he would have one
danger fairly disposed Of.
Il should be only too glad" he said,
with his usual blandness, TO have You
take possession of my parlor You
shall be wholly undisturbed for as
little or as long as you choose to re-
main there, and, later. we will have
lunch. What do you say, Mrs Phil
brick"
There was an expression Of naughty
displeasure on her face. She glanced
doubtfuIly at Louise, as if wondering
just how far that young lady was sin
cere, and replied;
81 must decline. Come Amasa."
Then you'll come up in the after
noon or the evening? | shall look for
YOU Prilbrick We will want to get
acquainted with your wife
Il shall not remain in Belmont, re
markd Mrs. Philbrck. stinly.
Philbrick went to the hail rack for
his hat, while his wife stepped out to
the piazza Louise remained in the
hall, holding herself we'll in control,
but expressing contcmptuous resent
ment in the glance with which she fol
lowed PhilbricIi's movements.
y am hors de combat, you see he
Whispered, with primace, as he
passed the professor.
You'll come along all right" re-
joined Professor Drummond, in a low
voice as he gave Philbrick playful
pat on the shoulder
Good day, Miss Drummond," mum
bled Philbrick as he passed her.
She did not reply, and, when Mr. and
Mrs. Philhrick started down the steps.
she turned to go up stairs
You did magniticcntly. my dear"
exclaimed her father his eyes glowing
with Appreciation
Louise stopped an instant. gave him
a glance of whitening contempt. and
then hurried over to her room whore
she locked herself in and gave way to
tears Of modification.
When Mrs. Williams saw that
scene" was impending, she was more
than half way down the stairs. In
stinctivoIy she rotreatcd but The real
meaning of the situation was revealed
before she had come to the top. so
surprised was She that for an instant
she stood stIl and 50 heard part of
the conversation that followed Phil
bricks Introduction of his wife. Then
as the mischief was done the professor
had seen her, and she could not be re-
garded as an interloper. she remained
listening until the end after which
with ama2ement and trepidaton at the
unccasing complications in Fairyicw
affairs, she returned to the sick room.
just avoiding being seen by Louise
The doctor saw at once that something
had happened, and asked about it.
As If there wasn't enough already
to perplox me" she responded.
'''I Jul W idt - II, IlbLHtI
Mrs Phlbrick."
Mrs. what? Phlbrick married."
The doctor himself was 50 astound-
ed that he sat staring, open mouthed.
while his mother briefly recounted
what she had heard
What a villain he Isl" he exclaimed,
and he went TO the window, forgetting
for a moment that it looked out on the
Mlniski and not upon the road to Bel
mont
who's a william" asked his mother.
Who? Both Of them Poor
Louisew
He left the room abruptly. Curios-
ity had its place in his makeup, as
It has in that of all Of us, and he
wanted the satisfaction Of seeing Mrs.
Philbrick with his own eyes He
heard the professor pacing heavily in
the broad hall, and unwilling to have
any words with him, he went TO a
window over the piazza and looked