The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1910-06-30
By F. A. mitchell.

Il
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a gentleman. handsomely dressed
alighted from Il railway train at sub,
urban station aud. going out to where
carriages stood waiting, looked about
for one he expected to meet him.
Passing a landau in which sat young
woman in the costume Of maid, she
called to him:
Beg pardon, sir, Are you MIR. Jur-
negan?"
Il am"
I've been sent by Miss Whitehead
to meet you"
"!ndeedr
"Yes. sir. Miss Whitehead was In
tending to come herself, but she was
called away suddenly this morning"
Since 1t was four hour journey
each way Mr.. Jurnegan decided to
stay. But what was he to do to amuse
himself till tomorrow? He and Miss
Whitehead were both interested In an
estate that was in litigation. Mr.. Jur-
negan's father and Miss Whitehead S
uncle had been partners In business
aud had left their affairs In tangle.
Mr.. Jurnegan seemed to have the best
of the legal situation, and Miss White
heads attorney advised her to meet
MIR Jurnegan. whom she had never
seen. and endeavor to effect compro-
mise. He strongly recommended her
to marry him If she could. She had
invited him to her home for confer.
ence. AS he rolled along he concluded
to pump the maid.
Does Miss Whitehead live aloneP'
he asked.
Yes, sir. with housekeeper for
chaperon."
Good mistress?"
Very good-in some ways, SIR"
in what wayP
Well sir. there's nothing mean
about her. She pays good wages and
gives us days out quite often. besides
lots of fine castoff clothing. But she's
very Independent, does things her own
way, and the neighbors call her
freaky."
There was nothing In this to help
Mr.. Jurnegan to an opinion as to
whether he would be able to make a
compromise favorable to his own in
terests or not. though the fact that
Miss Whitehead was not mean looked
well. On reaching her residence he
allghted and was shown to his room
by manservant. There he made his
toilet and went down to luncheon.
After that he had whole afternoon
before him with nothing to do. Going
on to the piazza. he lit a cigar. The
maid came out with periodicals. which
she placed on table near him.
Miss Whitehead told me was to
do my best to make your waiting as
easy as possible, sir"
II don't know how you can do that
better than by telling me about Miss
Whitehead" he responded. "Sit down
and tell me what she Is like"
The girl demurred at seating herself
near a gentleman, but agreed that II
he would permit her to get her needle
work she would answer any questions
he might ask. He gladly consented
and on her return began his inquiries.
How old is Miss WhlteheadT
Il don't know. sir She might be
thirty"
Thirty. heard she was not more
than twenty-five"
"She looks It anyway"
Good looking?"
"Oh. no. sir. Miss Whitehead Is not
good looking"
Then she's very stupid to have so
pretty II maid. The contrast is detrl.
mental to her own appearance
Naturally the maid was pleased at
this compliment. she bent her head
over her work and said nothing.
Il fancy" pursued Jurnegan. that
your mistress must rely on you for
more than the duties of maid or she
would not have intrusted you with
keeping me here till her returnT
Il sometimes act as secretary for
her"
Indeed"
Yes. sir. and she likes to talk over
her business affairs with me. You see,
she has no one else to talk with about
them"
she wouldn't talk with you very
long about them II she didn't get val
liable hints from you"
At this moment q telegraph messen.
ger boy came in at the gate and deliv-
cred Il dispatch. The maid opened
and read 1t.
Its from Miss Whitehead" she
said. "She is uncertain about her re-
turn and would like you to make her a
proposition through me-"
~ told you so. She has recognized
In you a head for business"
Mr.. Jurnegan was clear headed
man and one who acted on broad and
liberal principles. lie laid down the
business situation between himself and
Miss Whitehead showing that their in.
terests were identical. that they must
manage harmoniOusly the property In
which they were jointly interested
He was proceeding when the maid in
terrupted him.
ut seems to me, SIR" she said. that
by far the best arrangement to be
made is for you and Miss Whitehead
to marry. hope you'll never tell her
! proposed such thing, II you do
I'll lose my place"
81 had often thought Of that myself"
said .Iurnegan. naturally surprised.
But am opposed TO marrying wo-
nr"r older than myself. You say that
A WOman's Great idea.