Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-05-31


OF the AFFAIR."" and the little man
leaned back with an air of satisfac.
ton.
Olivia laughed thoughtfully.
Yes, 1t is rather mysterious" she
admitted, to his palpable delight. do
you think that he is a coiner or sim.
ply gentleman suffering from the
pangs of guilty conscience?"
Mr.. Sparrow could not see the
twinkle in the dark eyes, and as the
sweet voice was perfectly grave, took
the question seriously.
We'll, must confess that the
thought did--er-cross my mind; |
mean in respect to coming; one reads
Notwithstanding stories"
"Ah, yes" breathed Miss Amelia,
with a delighted little gasp. Good
gracious fancy coiner in Hawk.
wood! OF course, you have limited
your suspicious to Smallbone?"
Smallbone was the village police
man, who, II having nothing to do
from one years end to the other can
produce happiness, should have been
in continued state OF felicity.
'Well-er-no," said Mr.. Sparrow.
Perhaps 1t occurred to Mr.. Spar.
row, aunt, that even coiners are not
so utterly imbecile as to set about
their work by attracting the attention
Of all their neighbors," said olivia.
"Aheml That is true! That Is very
true" remarked Mr.. Sparrow, with a
little cough. "And | confess that the
counterfeit coinage theory scarcely
holds good Mr.. Faradeane does not
give out the idea of-er-that class of
criminal"
is he more like burglar?" asked
Olivia, with apparent innocence
Mr.. Sparrow shook his head
No, no. dear me, no! | think /
said he was most distinguished look.
ing Quite--er-aristocr and-er
-patrician Remarkably good-looking,
also"
Miss Amelia pushed her chair
nearer a book cabinet and seized
me Peerage.
oh, I've looked through that" re.
marked Mr.. Sparrow, with charming
simplicity. There Is no mention of
the name of Faradeane In that or The
County Families.
Miss Amelia closed the book with a
gesture of despair
rs there no way OF finding out
something about him, dear Mr.. Spar.
row."
Il know OF none" he replied,
solemnly.
"And can only think of one,
said Olivia.
Both pairs of eyes were turned up.
on her with eager impotence.
Really! Now, what is that, my
dear?' demanded Aunt Amelia.
You might ask him to tell you his
history" she said, without moving q
muscle.
Aunt Amelia sank back with a ges.
ture OF disguised disappointment, and
Mr.. Sparrow coughed.
'I--er-have reason to believe that
the man-servant was asked question
or two"
by you, Mr.. Sparrow" said Olivia,
still with the expression of an limo.
cent child.
The little man blushed.
We'll, not exactly; but my man
Walker happened to meet Mr.. Fara.
deanes man, and got into converse,
ton"
And what did he say" demanded
Miss Amelia, eagerly.
Well, | regret to say that he told
poor Walker to mind his own bust
ness"
Amelia had only time to turn to the
piano to hide the smile which seemed
to fash across her face and dance In
her eyes like ray Of sunshine.
We'll, really never OF course,
NO one will think of calling upon
him. said Miss Amelia.
Again Mr. Sparrow colored slightly.
I--er-thought it my duty as a
neighbor,' he said, hesitatingly. ito
just call. II was yesterday. The
dog shuddered, and screwed up
his slender legs as il at some painful
recollection-"the dog Is one of the
largest animals, and am con.
yinced II the servant hadn't come up
at the moment, l. He shuddered
again. He said his master was out.
saw Mr. Faradeane walking in the
orchard at the side of the cottage
quite distinctly"
Then he was out" said Olivia,
gravely
My dear olivia" exclaimed her
aunt. you seem to be quite anxious
To make excuses for this extraordn.
AIRY young man; you do, indeed"
Well. II cant be denied that he
was out of the house." said Olivia. as
grayely as before. we usually look
over the stairs, aud whisper to the
servants TO say that we are not at
home. For the future | shall imi,