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

his face corrob0rated his assertion.
Good heavens! exclaimed.
. "Where's the objection he began,
in an injured tone. Because It's not
conventional, because it's contrary to
custom? That's conventionality' fault,
not mine. Look here, Reggie, throw
precedent and sneaking sentimental
ism to the winds and look the thing
straight in the face and then point out
the harm. Iris Maypel is an angel, we
will assume"
Agreed" said, enthusiastically.
"Oh, we all know you're gone on
her." he replied, snappishly.
go on" l said.
well, IL Iris Is an angel
"Good heavens" Interrupted again.
"That's just the point. If should not
onter into the argument 1t never does,
in fact, where there's real love. That's
the sure signal Of affection. Elirnin-
ate the affection and in creeps the IT, ,"
you're young Reggie" replied Bob.
In tone that made my lip curl. We
will return to our hypothesis. II Iris
Is an angel--which at present l am in
clined to allow-and IL she is expect
ing me to put the marriage question
which / feel positive is a fact-where
is the harm IL you go to private de-
and say, I want to know the ups and
downs Of Miss Iris Maypel; here's my
money, report as soon as possible?'
Where's the harm? In few days I
know all about the lovely Iris from
the worlds standpoint, my own con-
yictions confirmed beyond question in
the future. Sure Of the quality Of my
game, I load and fire, and at my feet
falls the young and lovely Iris"
"And II the detective report Is not to
your liking?"
"Ah, that's where the gain comes in.
I am saved lifelong disaster. There
are fools who aver that marriage is
lottery. Bosh! Built on commercial
basis it's as sure a thing as exists. Start
without any bad debts-without any
Misunderstanding. fallacies, precon-
ceived embellishments which never ex-
listed but in your imagination, and
there's lifelong happiness to draw
from as you require. Where, repeat,
Is the harm of inquiry"
/ was too disgusted to reply, so plead
ed an engagement and left him.
Bob Pallant was my friend, and I
doubt IL l could have swallowed his
impertinent suggestion had 1t referred
to q stranger, but when Iris, the pretty,
soft-voiced, downy-cheeked, innocent
eyed Iris was concerned my stomach
absolutely refused For / adored Iris
Maypel, and that she should be sub
tected to such an insult as Bob pro-
posed made me simmer. For 1t was
an insult this prying into her spent
life, even If Iris were conscious OF the
liberty. Moreover, l had read OF how
these private inquiry agents would pry
even around the domestic hearth, and
H., ...ta oil
such lurid light upon little error as
tc make 1t appear ghastly and ter
rible.
Her innocence alone should protect
her from such duplicity," l argued as
I walked. ITO attack such guileiess
rusticity with the subtleties Of urban
resource was blackguardly in the ex-
treme. Even Iris maternal aunt, who
had piloted her through her first Lon
don season with creditable care and
watchfulness, would hardly be alert to
Dob's unprincipled suggestion.
wished, as went my way, that one
of Iris brothers would suddenly pre-
sent himself, for l felt equal to prov
ing my friendship to Bob by disclosing
his intention ere he could perpetrate It.
But, after all knew, Iris was brother.
less. had never managed 20 elicll
mucn lnIOTIudllOu VI hCA pOoPAS pSJoAN
the simple fact that they lived In the
country; certainly that huge, rambling
mansion buried in the recesses OF
well-timbered park from which there
issued in the morning gay squires ant
fair ladies' in full hunting rig, ant
where, at night, loves soft cooling was
echoed by the woodland doves and the
roar of a hunting chorus was mocket
Mt by the owls could not have been al
together a mental alteration, thougl
who nut It all into my head, II not lri
or her auntie, could not recall.
I purposely avoided Bobs rooms TO
n week. knew / should only insul
him IL went, and was loath to d.
that. Besides, upon reflection, a littl
brightness broke through the mist. l
Norton Scrubbs made mistake and
either by accident or design--suppne'
Bob with report OF Iris character an,
INFRINGING, libellous and untrue, Bo
would throw up the sponge. and then
All along 1t had been patent, to me
at least, that Iris preference for Bo
was the result of chance. She had me
him an hour before I was introduces
and Bob had made the running. He ha
had the start Of me and was no
quite good enough to overhaul hin
But what opportunities for me was OF
fered by an adverse report from Nor
ton Scrubs! ! would never submit m
darling to such an indignity. woul
never -,
In the midst of my reverie In walk
ed Bob.
Congratulate me, Reggie" he smi
ed.
"Eh? You're-you're engaged, d
you say?"
"As good as. I've got Scrubbs' rt
port. Here It is. Iris Maypel,
Maypel Court, in the County OF Blani
shire, only child and heiress OF Ale,
ander Thomas Maypel, ]. p"
He looked up suddenly from the p'
per. 4,
II verified name and address In Il
county register" he said.
Anything more?" asked.