Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-12-30

his visits Whether he did or did not sus-
pect something of this, he was s1nguiariy
impartial in his attentions to Kate ana my
self. We both liked him. We could NOT 6e
Jealous Of each other; yet think each woulo
have felt q greattul sense OF relief nad ne
been more marked or positive In his atten-
lions to either.
our plans for the holiday festivities, and
this browning effort, the ball at the
Governors mansion New Years Eve: ne
had attended great many similar balls ana
10 could give good many hints.
wick came to visit US and spend the holidays.
but most Of all to go with us to this, our nrst
bull.
Father was absent good deal. and that
made John Goodwin's constant visits all the
more desirable. He was our escort to near
" every place we went, and it came about so
quietly and naturally that We scarcely
of going even to church without
him.
He was to be our escort to the ball, until
young Burnett, who had become desperately
smitten With Nelly, insisted upon taking her.
Then It was managed that Kate should go
with them and John Goodwin should fall to
mo alone. l was afraid 1t was not quite
agreeable to him, and begged him TO take
Kate and let me go with Nelly. When had
said this to him . few nights before, [ was
surprised but not displeased at what fol-
lowed.
" Do YOU prefer to 60 with them rather
than with me?' he asked, with one OF his
grave, sober looks.
"No, but / thought you would be better
pleased to have it SO" .
..I am best pleased to have you to myself;
so don't alter the present arrangements.
That of course settled it; but, although
was pleased that he should declare his pre-
ference for my company, there was no
ground for feeling it was more than the
courtesy any gentleman may show a lady.
= All through the holidays we were busy
making, altering, planning, devning new
adornments for this, our first, ball Ihere
was q dressmaker in the house all the time,
and our own fingers had not been idle. II
had proved serious matter to our young
and inexperienced heads.
The last day of the old year had come, and
the finishing touches had been given to our
ball dresses. Another serious matter was
the hair dressing. The couture has so much
to do with ones general appearance that it
is no trifle to choose just that style most be-
coming to the wearer, and yet accord prop
erly with the dress and its comcornltants.
Older heads than ours have pondered long
over it and then gone wrong. Experiment
is the surest way. J.
what they conceived to be the most becom-
ing way: then the new ball dress was put
and suggesting changes when father came
in. He stopped at the door moment and
surveyed us. We expected to. hear good
natured laugh at our serious vanity.
"Bless me, little girl" he said, catching
me suddenly in his arms and kissing me,
81 never saw you look like that before; and
-and-I don't know whether ought to
laugh or cry"
There were tears in his eyes, actually-the
dear old father. Then he had all our arms
around his neck, until he broke loose from
US, laughing. -,
sarah, our house girl, had come to the
door for something, and stood there, keenfy
watching this unusual performance. When
father was on his feet, he took out TWO smal
packages, and tossing them into kate's iaI
and mine, said:
Little girls, your Christmas didn't come
this year until New Years; but here it Is Al
last"
Each package was a roll of bills, which
dollars each.
TWAS so unexpected, and so much, too
that the arms went around his neck again.
"WeiI, Sarah," said he, at last, '.the girl,
are so much carried away with the ball. AND ls
| now their Christmas, that they never thini
| Of you. What is it"
Sarah was duly attended to and sent he
way. She hxd scarcely left the room De10Ts
| the bell rang, and Mr.. Goodwin called
There was momentary panic among US, 10
| such calls in the midst OF preparations llk'
| ours: but father laughed, and said he would
| 20 down and tell him to please excuse tn
young ladies, for they must have one dres
rehearsal for the ball.
OF course, that would not do at all, and n
was shown up, to join in the laugh agains
| US.
He came in, looking his gravest.
"What singular docking girl" he said
"this Sarah is, with her blue goggles Wher
| did you get her? There is something in tina
girls face strangely familiar, and yet can
| place her"
"She came to us in the country first; bu
she did not wear goggles then. She is nea
and capable, but very queer sometimes"
! answered.
Then I opened the closet door to go to tn
| safe with our presents. Vanity perhap
prompted me to stop and show them to MI
Goodwin.
But you are not going to keep such
large sum as thar-ten thousand dollars
Yes said father. "when Fan carrie
the key to the safe, it is all right"
"No, Mr.. Livingstone, it Is all wrong.
ceived a dispatch from Jacksonville, askin
me to come there to identify some burglar
| whom I had once sent to State-prisoT
McAfee, the leader Of the gang. and who's
wife tried to kill me once, is said to be hid
ing here in this city. That was my bushes
YOU to wait an hour later for me to get bac
from Jacksonville tonight May ask"'
"Certainly, why not"
Think would have given up the ball
he had asked me to do SO, much as L hope
to enjoy it.
.s'fhanks; then I must leave you and ru
to my train. Good-by till 10 O'Clock, then.
"Good-by."
And he hurried away. We watched hin
running half the time, as he went rapid
down the street.
"You had better go to the bank with h
, money, father" said Kate, seriously.
"Nonsense; why, who is going to rob tn
ho1se with 80 many Of us always presen
Then, who knows but ourselves if there is
l@dollar in the house:"
While this conversation was going on
, was in the closet, putting the money in u
| safe. AS came out it certainly seemed ned,
! he some person besides myself in the close
, With that feeling turned back and locke
, for a moment at everything in it, but the
was nothing unusual.
At eight O'Clock cattle trader called ar
, took father back with him to his hotel.
little later Mr.. Burnett came with carria!
They loft he horpS