Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1896-07-30
|Before They We're Married.;
BY HENRY c. PARKER.
Rv HENRY c. PARKER.


brick laid hold OF the line, and drew up
a great perch, such a prize. rs any
angler would be proud 10 lay on top of
his basket 10 exhibit to admiring eyes
on his way home.
BY iove! what luck you have doc
tor" said Mr.. Ptilbrick. That's four
times better than anything I've got 50
far"
He is a good one" admitted the doc
tor, half ashamed of himself now that
the excitement was over, and regretting
the feeling of comradeship that the
event had called forth.
Mr. PhilbriCk seemed to feel that the
most cordial relations haG been estab
lished, and, as he unlocked the perch
and rebaited the hook, he chatted away
in sportsmanlike fashion, conGratulat-
ing DR. Williams, and even suggesting Il
days sport together
Throw in again, Doctor he said in
a tone that took ii for granted that the
doctor would gladly accept the oppor-
tunity.
No. thank YOU" replied the doctor,
awkwamly; fix your pipe and fish
yourself. | don't care for it,"
/ Il hate TO disCredit man. laughed
the angler, but could swear that YOU
We're genuine fisherman by the way
you managed that fellow"
/ The doctor was silent for moment.
while Mr.. Philbrick resumed work upon
Lis pipe. Then he said:
Mr.. Philbrick, it is hard for me to
discredtt my feelings, or TO be anything
but frank. | may as we'll tell You that
l came back here because 7 saw YOU
trying to get into the house"
Did YOU" responded the angler,
blowing through his pipe to find out
whether it We're clear; lit was a good
deal OF trouble, but YOU had some sport
out of it. didn't YOU"
DR. Williams shut his jaws together
to repress his anger. that intiamed
quickly at this mans insOlent indiffer-
ence. He succeeded in asking with
calmness:
why did you try to open the front
door,"
Mr.. Philbrick looked up with an
amused smile
| See here he said rising, and he led
the way to the front door. 1t has a
Yale lock, you see" he continued,
pointing to it; well when the fnmily
had gone to the funeral | thought 1t
would do no harm to drop my line from
the piazza. I'm not acquainted with
the Drummonds, and, as request from
a stranger might not be welcome, con
| Guided to fish here without asking per
mission. So | trotted up. | saw that
the lock had not caught. The door eV-
identity needs planning, for it took quite
a jerk to pull it to. regretted it as
soon as | had done So
Mr.. Philbrick gazed at the doctor
with an ingenious smile.
Why" asked the doctor
Il knew you'd ask. Because | wanted
a chair to sit on while fishing, and
thought it would do no harm to borrow
one. | had spoiled my opportunity for
comfort. All the windows were fastened
! | had locked myself out, and when eX-
plored below the piazza | found |
/ 3,
it was unmanly to think of such a
thing, but there would have been no
harm done, would there?
/ Perhaps not answered the doctor,
somewhat confused by the mans imper-
turable frankness, but 1t hardly seems
to me the part of gentleman to invade
a strangers house"
Mr.. PhilbriCk looked solemn.
/ Well" he said, with sigh, you
speak doubtless as a friend of the fam
lily, and so apologize. | will With
draw. | presume you will have no OBJ
lection to my casting in from the top
of the ledge at the back
Il disclaim any right to object re-
sponded the doctor stitiiy, and he turned
away to conceal the flush that he felt on
his face.
! Mr.. Philbrick slowly gathered up his
traps and went around the house The
doctor sat on the steps and waited un-
til the professor and the young ladies
came home once or twice he went TO
the river side of the piazza and saw Mr.
Philbricks rod projecting from the
ledge at the end of the house.
The professor was surprised TO see
doctor
j. thought said the latter, that
Miss Willis might be in need OF some
restorative"
NO" said Amelia, Il am better,
thank you"
The professor drove around 10 the
stable without unlocking the door, and
while waiting for lin the doctor and
the young ladies strolled to the river
side of the piazza.
Look there!" cried Louise, clutching
at the doctors arm.
She pointed to the ledge. Mr.. Phil.
brick had crept 50 far along its steep
side in his eageTness for sport that he
had come TO a place directly over the
water, and just as Louise spoke he lost
his footing and went down.
AS he slipped be sprang as well as he
could away from the rock, in order 10
avoid bruises, and fell with a loud
splash into the stream.