Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-08-12

The anchor, which in the summer was at
tached to bathing-line was now drawn up
on the shsre, and deeply imbedded in the
sand made snug recess, of which Sylvia
upon the arms of the anchor, and offered
Sylvia the cosy, tapestried seat; but she, de-
Ginning it, sat in the open air, and he went
far back in the shelter.
now Miss Sylvia, when are you going
awayw
And the Professor week after. I shall
be lonely! See here, Miss Sylvia, why don't
you stay here all winter? You have no idea
how charming it is. No ice, no snow, the
air visible tonic exhilarating, sparkling!
You could paint and get new inspirations.
STAY, Sylvia, stay"
"The inspirations would not be of much
pose Mr.: Reimer would take panel in ex-
change for my board"
But, my dear, said the Doctor, " an art
list is free. He need. not live in his shop
his studio, I mean. Paint your pictures
ssaS said syvs
If fashion patronizes me, must be on hand.
You ought to see me receive, Doctor" she
went on. 6 wear long, monkish brown
gown, and on it is many spot of paint. My
sometimes. can fancy you at one! Will
you come?
Nonsensev' said he, flushing. Chow
frivolous you try to make yourself! won
der you paint at ALL"
az don't'' said Sylvia. 81 wouldn't like
to be no more than the basket handle; know
too well all the joys of independence! Still,
you see, haven It money, 80 I earn il"
g That is just tw cried the Doctor, COM
ing little way out Of his niche. g You
work because you must have a living. Very
good. And your occupation is genteel and
Iady-like."
'fDon't say 'genteel'p cried Sylvia.
"That is very good word. Would re-
spectacle be any better? No? Well, this is
what meant to say-a pretty, domestic
fact, you ought to have been married some
time ago."
Chow do you know I am domestic%'
said s; Sylvia, slightly coloTng, and Ignoring
considered Bohemian rather than domes-
tic."
10 .oh, but you are not an out-and-out
"Indeed ami" cried Sylvia. 81 haven't
much genius, but you don't suppose spend
and exhibit them, and, what is more to the
purpose, sell them"
II don't doubt it," said the Doctor, but
all the same you ought to get married.
There's that child's father; why don't he
marryr"
81 am sure don't know" and now Sylvia
did really color.
''He ought to do it," pursued the relent-
less Doctor. ''T That child can not be prop
erly brought up by servants, and he has no
sisters. Do you know, Miss Sylvia-now,
suppose you'll get mad II had great mind
to advise him to ask you. 1t seems pity
for him to lose the chance of so good a
mother for Josie. You see [ have an OBJ
her. You are fond Of her, you have pleasant
little ways with her, and she is certainly
fond of you. Yes, you would make very
good mother for her."
Sylvia laughed at this. She did not mean
to betray any feeling again.
''T The reason why | am so candid, and
perhaps abrupt-yOu do think me abruptT'
81 do,'' said Sylvia.
" Well, the reason is that the matter is a
little involved. When I first thought of it,
for the child in the sand, and she was jump
ng about in high glee. Do you rememberl"
Yes, Sylvia remembered it very well.
1T was pretty picture, I thought, and it
blind if he did not see what he ought to do.
Ask you to marry him, l mean"
81 ought to be very much obliged to you"
said Sylvia coolly.
ooh, but that isn't allv' the Doctor con-
tinued, pushing the scarf off his ears. "You
don't understand yet how the matter is in
volved. When I went back to the hotel it
occurred to me that was very great fool.
had much better ask you to marry me.
am sure need good wife,"
every well," said Sylvia, with admirable
gravity.
"Still, YOU see, =" he said, cit seemed rather
mean not to give him the chance. 1t is of
course obvious that he needs the wife the
most-on account OF the little girl, you
know. My first thought referred to his mar
rying you, and that gives him, you see, a
sort of pre- emption claim"
81 am not sure of that replied Sylvia.
"Don't they give patents, or something OF
the sort, for the first idea!"
"Then," said the Doctor eagerly, "you
would be willing to let me ask you"
"Oh, perfectly" said Sylvia.
81 wish / knew what you mean-WOuld
you refuse But no, won't do it. really
little girl is to be considered, you know"
els it Josie who is the first object?" said
Sylvia. elf that is so, l might adopt her.
That would make it all right, and none of us
be worried"
I am thinking of the welfare of all. By
George, Miss Sylvia, 1 wish l knew your
Eng; or rather wish the Professor did, I'd
like Chang myself! OF course Arnold knows
nothing of this. 1 thought had best speak
to you first. 1 was afraid he would not ex-
plain the situation, NOT as l would"
81 don't believe he could" replied she.
'Well," said the Doctor, "what have you
to say"
II can not say any tnlnS, sue ausWeIou'
ssYou can not?" repeated the Doctor.
81 could offer an opinion, l suppose"
said Sylvia; ''but you see can't, under the
circumstances, make it personal matter
yet"
'sYou mean," the Doctor said, "that Ell
Their of us has yet asked you?'
exactly" Sylvia answered.
every well, then. Now, suppose before
we go any further, that we see just where
we stand in the present position of affairs.
In the first place,-because it would per
haps, not be proper to refer to the Profess
sor's personal matters at this moment,-do
you think you could marry me-"
"No, DON'T" she answered. II am very
sure couldn't"
"That is frank,'' he said, looking greatly
pleased. 81 like that. 1t is business-like
and helps us to clear the way. Now, why
couldn't you"
eFor one thing, don't care enough for
YOU, and for another never thought of it. -
"Very good. But we will now suppose
you might waive the second reason, and
could try to persuade you out OF the first.
So then, what are your objections likely to
be? You can't, for instance, object to my
family?"
mo-" said Sylvia; "to tell you the hon
est truth, know nothing about it."
&C cloin Doctor.