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

with SO small sum as eighty-five cents
in his pocket? As he walked gloomily
along the strange thoroughfare, busy
| with these troublesome reflections, hi
heard loud tones issuing from q man
sion which he was just passing. Amo
ment later the front door opened and {
slight female figure hurried silently out
into the street, and, passing by hin
with quick, determined tread, wa.
soon out of sight.
".
When Maud recovered from the shock
| which her fathers angry words had
given her, she Immediately determined
upon course of action. She resolved
that she would be turned out of doors
before she would consent to 60 to the
opera with the antediluvian relic. who
waited for her in the parlor. She called
her father back and told him her de.
termination. The result was that the
proud young beauty was promptly
elected through the hall door; for she
it was who had passed George Adolphus
as he wandered on in search of his
level.
When Mr.. Muggleton had waited for
Maud until he was tired and on the
point of leaving, Mr.. Muller entered
the room, and apologizing for the non
appearance of his daughter by saying
that she had a violent headache. begged
him to come again in a few days, as
Maud would then be delighted to see
him. The truth was that Mr.. Muller
had no idea of Furnishing his daughters
disobedience with permanent Danish
ment. He reasoned that she would
surely 60 to some of her friends and re-
turn in penitence in the morning.
George Adolphus followed swiftly on
after the young lady, hardly knowing
why he did so, but feeling irresistibly
drawn by some unaccountable PRESENT.
ment that all was not well with her. In
a few moments he came up with her
and followed at a little distance, watch
ing her movements with the keenest in
terest. But Maud was so intent upon
some purpose which lay deep hidden in
her heart that she did not notice him.
The street now began to be deserted,
but still the resolute girl walked rapid
ly on. At length small foot-bridge
across the canal was reached. The girl
paused. Was her purpose desperate
one? George Adolphus asked himself
this question and many more beside as
he fingered in the shadows close behind
her.
Murmuring something to the effect
that the heaving, white-crested pillows
which rolled at her feet would SOON
embrace her and free her from her
wretchedness, Maud began to take
down her hair.
'.Going to swim?'' asked a voice be-
hind her.
She turned and beheld a stranger
close at hand. At first She
could not utter word. Presently,
however, she said, in tones that betrayed
her intense excitement:
''Oh, sir, do not thwart my purpose.
desire to put an end to my trouble-I
wish to sleep beneath the wave."
There isn't any wave there said
George Adolphus. ''The canals dry.
You'll break your neck if you jump off
this bridge"
But I want to find grave in the
restless deep. l want the blue bill
lows to fold me in everlasting slumber
where the sea-weeds grow in sunless
gloom"
but tell you, my dear lady, there
sn't any restless deep anywhere around
here. You'd better put it of till the
canal opens. Here you are talking
about sleeping beneath the pillows,
when the water won't be let on in a
month yet. And besides, if you want
20 be folded in everlasting slumber,
It would be wise for you to jump
nto a well. You'd have a sure thing
hen"
''That would be horriblev' exclaimed
Maud, with a shudder.
''Yes," replied George Adolphus; lit
would spoil the WE'LL
Maud felt that George Adolphus was
light. True, he did not appear to enter
7ery much into the tragic spirit of the
situation. He ought to have dropped
lpon his knees and implored her to for
ret her trouble and sip little longer
he nectar of life. He ought to have
to her imagination fair-haired
,irl lying with pallid face and marble
orm in the silent bosom of the canal.
where the dolphin sports unseen and
he mermaids comb their locks in shad- |
WY solitude. But he did nothing of |
he sort. He told her to 20 home and
practice in the cistern.
Maud thought the matter over for a
then bursting into tears she
vrung the hand of our hero and ran
Witty home.
George Adolphus stood upon the
ridge and watched Maud till she was
ut Of sight. AS he stood there. Won
lering what it was that weighed so
eavily upon the mind of this fair young
.irl, he saw something glittering at his
eet. He stopped and eagerly picked
+ up. 1t was golden hair-pin, of pecu-