The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-08-05

B0irg 10 marry man WHO Hdb noou
humbugged like that?" -.
You're unusually tender about lit
tie imposition"
Thank you, that will do. I didn't
pick up chaperon and pay her hand
somely to stand auntie to me for sea-
son and introduce me to society to be
bullied by her In earnest. There are
no men to hear us now, remember. I'm
not a kid. I've ceased to blubber, ana
won't be whipped. Can't you see that
II marry Bob Pailant after this, my
chance of pleasure-to say nothing OF
your chance of your fee--wouldn't be
worth a weeks notice? He would jolly
soon undeceive himself, and then"
you wouldn't be to blame. You
didn't deceive him."
mo, but Norton Scrubbs did, and it
would ruin his reputation and close his
purse to me forever. Norton has al
ready given me to understand as much
and advised me to understand as much
and advised me to take on Reggie
Give. But there, you haven't any
sense"
What an awakening! How I men,
tally cursed myself! How / mentally
cursed Bob for having married his
innocent-lipped, downy-cheeked, dove
eyed Iris right away without inquiry,
and so spared me the agonizing pre-
.dicament was In. How cursed--like-
wise mentally-Norton Scrubbs and all
his kith and kin. And all that mental
imprecation came out through my
pores until drops Of sweat fell soft and
silent upon the lorn petals OF a dying
chrysanthemum.
But / had suffered in silence long
enough. Scene or no scene, scandal,
SANDER, or what not. l cared 81
was callous to them all. I would re-
veal my hideous presence.
The revealing was done for me. That
smirking servant appeared and an
nounced in sepulchral voice that Mr..
| Give had arrived.
There was little fiutter at the an
nouncement and heard fleeting foot
step that betokened auntie's departure.
for it was Iris who replied:
"Very well, Adams, show him in"
"I-have--already shown him in
Miss Iris" stammered the man.
Didn't I tell you to show him here
to the conservatory" said Iris, Sc
verely.
"And SO I did, Miss Iris. l brought
him here several minutes ago, and
have been searching for you ever since
to tell you So"
/ stepped from behind the screen just
in time to witness the full comedy OF
the moment. Iris was spectacle to
behold! She baffied all description
Amazement mingled with fear, shame
guilt, horror, rage, indignation, and 0
number of other symptoms peculiar tc
such a nervous shock. l walked tc
where she still sat, too paralyzed tc
move.
Miss Maypel," said, II have over.
heard your conversation, and l know
you will call me coward and an caves
dropper; but my conscience is innocent
/ was put here by your man, and you
had already committed yourself before
could warn you of my presence, so
waited in the hope that you would leave
me before discovering me-"
She made no reply, SO l gladly walk
ed from the conservatory and the
house.
went home and tried to see the ent
of the business. What attitude woult
Iris adopt when Bob, In the flushing
pride of Norton Scrubbs' report, pro
posed marriage to her? gave up tn
conundrum when, far into the night,
had failed to solve 1t.
l went down to the club the follow
ing day resolved to tell Bob all wher
his familiar face-woaring anything
but his familiar expression-looked in
He came straight across to me, ant
without any preliminaries said:
Reggie! Where's Iris?"
pushed my pIa,e aside and returne,
his gaze. a.... ..
How should know If you are ignor
anti" l repSed. Isn't she with he
her auntie?"
. Possibly" returned Bob. "In fact
: probably But where's her aunt
They've disappeared from their fiat
. flown, owing six months rent beside
salaries and unpaid bills innumerable-
and have left no address,"
"Well," / said refiectively, "I'm no
surprised after what l overheard Il
, their conservatory yesterday after
noon."
What did you hear?" asked Boil
eagerly
/ told him.
, Poor old Bob! I won't attempt I
record his subsequent remarks amen
women in general and Iris and aunt
, in particular, since no self-respectin
! type would consent to chronicle then
. | -Illustratpd Rits