The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-07-09

his way homeward. filed with bitter
disappointment. Hehad long regarded
Maud with tenderness, and had desired
to offer her his hand and fortune, and
now he felt that he was rejected. He
had seen nearly four-score years of
bachelorhood, and it was getting mo-
notonous. He dragged himself YEARLY
and sadly home. and retired to his
couch in wretchedness.
/ VII.
The clock had just struck eleven. and
the town was as silent as the grave.
when two Misunderstanding men, with
masked faces, broke open the street
door of large mansion where an ancient
bachelor lay dreaming OF a supercilious
maiden who had declined to meet him
in her parlor few hours before. The
men passed safely into the house, and
were soon standing by the bedside of
the dreamer. A moment later swift
blow fell upon the unconscious million
aire; but before it could be repeated
the assassin was stricken to the floor.
His companion escaped. The police
were summoned by the servants, who
had by this time been aroused by the
noise, and the captured man was led
away in irons.
"Who is this young man that has
followed these villains, and risked his
own life to save mine?" asked the
wounded man.
"My name is George Adolphus
Clarendon" was the prompt reply.
George Adolphus." said the million
aire, "you have done brave and noble
deed. l am MORALLY wounded, and
must die in few hours, but you shall
be rewarded. You shall be my herr
The next morning there was Grape OF
the door of the Muggleton mansion,
and George Adolphus Clarendon was
millionaire. He had been suddenly
landed in the lap of luxury. He could
not have been more completely taken
by surprise if he had suddenly succeed
ed to the English crown. And yet his
magical elevation to wealth and posi-
ton did not SO engage his min, as to
dispel certain memories that were
lingering there-memories that carried
him back to the foot-bridge across the
canal. Who was that beautiful stran-
ger that had almost made the canal
bridge "bridge of sighs?" Why had
she sought watery grave? And if she
wanted to rid herself Of sorrow, why
didn't she jump off house, instead of
hunting up dry canal. full of broken
glass, iron and old boots? These ques-
tons were too much for George
Adolphus. In less than a week he
found himself in a perfect fever of
mental excitement. He felt that he
was growing rapidly worse. 1t did seem
as if he could not get that hair-pin near
enough to his heart. He thought of
swallowing it. but. changed his mind
and had it made into bOsom-pin. In
another week the malady had obtained
so complete mastery over him that he
began to write poetry. He could not
even think in prose, and when he read
. newspaper the lines all seemed to
commence with capital letters and end
with jingle.
Thus the weeks passed YEARLY by
without the slightest intelligence of the
owner Of the golden hairpin.
VIII.
In a brilliantly lighted ballroom in
Couponville, gayest of the gay, and
admired of all admirers, Maud Muller
promenaded to and fro like fairy
queen. Her wretchedness had de-
parted with old Mr.. Muggleton. but
she had not forgotten the night when a
stranger had rescued her from self
destruction, and she secretly longed to
know who it was that had saved her
from herself. She closely scanned
every gentleman that entered the room,
as in half frightened expectancy. She
had heard of Mr.. Clarendon, the young |
millionaire, but as he had not appeared |
much in society, she had not met him.
OF course she was not curious, for she |
was woman, and women are not curl
Gus; yet she could not feel easv after
learning that Mr.. Muggleton's heir was
present till she had signified her will
ingness to have him presented.
As George Adolphus advanced, arm
in arm with an acquaintance. Il percept-
ible pallor Overspread Maud's counte-
nance. Was it caused by the peculiar
pin that Ornamented his shirt bosom?
She tried to convince herself that the
pin signitied nothing. Perhaps he had
picked up the hairpin in the street on
that eventful evening she so well
But when she heard his
voice she withered like stricken flow
er. George Adolphus was puzzled. So
were all the by-standers. It was very
case indeed, they all said.
Presently, however, Maud rallied, as
she and George Adolphus were left
alone.
"Do you remember me?" she asked
''Do you remember hav-
inn coon mo hoforo -,
Suddenly the truth flashed upon
George Adolphus like National Con-
vention bulletin.
EYES," he replied. making an effort