Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-04-27

Robert, SO there can be no harm in a
little Irritation, and I shall let things
take their course. > A
E II.
Things do take their course, and a
very pleasant course it is. S The days
pass quickly, and have no time to write
letters. r. The Dinard bathing season
will soon be at its height. The Paris
ian world, including Mile. Berthe de
Pontiac, will be here-so Bonnie -maman
tells me; Horace never mentions her.
l often long to ask him about her, but.
a shy feeling closes my lips. Do I
dread that her name should break the
spell of happiness cast round my life?
Alas! after some weeks of delightful
enjoyment, the spell was broken, and by
Bonne-maman.
Horace had fired my Imagination by a
glowing account of fresh blackberries,
the finest, blacklist, sweetest that were
ever seen. Working upon my enthusi-
asm, he promised to take me a-black-
Deriving. ~ tey
The next morning, in high glee, we
sailed forth; he armed with a stout
hooked stick, with basket. Past a
cottage, with a bright-eyed maiden
tending her pet lamb in the kitchen,
while her mother was sitting at the
spinning-wheel in the morning sun.
Through lanes so narrow we had to
scramble up the steep bank to let the
great white horses with the numbering
wagons go by. @ssThrough bush, through
briar," we went and never blackberry
did see. At last, / ventured to remark
upon the singular fact of the flowers and
buds being still in full bloom. I heard
a slight chuckle, and looking up at my
companions face, saw mild CLEAN of
fun on it. "Well, you must, indeed, be
a Cockney born, to think of expecting
blackberries in August For mo-
ment 1 was put out; then, joining in his
merriment, contented myself with the
wreath of wild flowers he had gathered.
From this merry excursion we re-
turned in high glee and good humor, my
hat decorated with berries and brightly
tinted leaves. Bonne-maman, contrary
to her usual hospitality, did not ask
Horace to stay, and he went off there
and then to his hotel. Then, having
removed my protector, was treated to
a long lecture on my reckless disregard
of the proprieties. Were these English
manners, or rather the lack of themp
This running about the country with
young men for untold hours, this liberty,
was unheard of in France, and I must,
at least while under her roof, conform
to French usages; unmarried girls could
not be too particular.
Conscious-stricken, I could find no
words of excuse. The hot blood dyed
my face unshed tears made my eyes
burn. STOPPING, kissed Bonne-ma-
man in silence, and, stepping through
the open window into the garden, I
wandered away out of sight. Yes;
had been unmaidenly, immodest, un-
dignified. Dishonorable, too. forget
ing my plighted troth. If only Bonnie
maman and Mr.. Vernon knew, how
they would despise me! Heartsick,
turned away from the garden and
sought the solitude of the orchard.
There, alone under the shadowy trees,
I could think it out. My eyes ached
my head burned; was humbled to the
dust to have failed when l felt so sure
of myself. Playing with fire, how could
I escaped And he-never in words had
he confessed his love, but by thousand
trifles light as air I felt he loved me.
And Berthe? All! I thought bitterly,
he may like me but marry her. Will
he love herp I throw myself on the
soft, cool grass, hiding my face with my
hands, and trying to shut out pain, the
sorrow, and the shame, needless of the
time and the passing hours.
Suddenly hand was placed on mine
and 1 started up. As did SO my chain
caught, the link broke, and my locket
fell open at Horace's feet. Before clos
ing and returning it he said: .H
.May Ia' and looking at the por-
trait remarked: Your fathers like
nessp''
I shook my head, and, pointing to
the pearl ring wore, said brayely: No!
] am engaged & -
"Ensagedl" His voice was husky.
ssThep you have been amusing yourself
flirting to keep your hand imp And
without another word, but with the
most hopeless expression [ ever saw, he
threw the locket down and left me. |
& I tottered to my feet. 1 was avenged
he would despise me as firt, but he
could not accuse me of giving my love
or forcing it upon a man who
was not free. If he Were. engaged, why,
so was I. We were quits.
With trembling hands l drew off the
fatal ring, and going to my room laid it
with the locket and addressed the par
eel to the Rev. Robert Duncombe, and
straightway wrote and. asked for my
freedom i could bear the thrall no
more. must be free. wrote kindly, |
feeling dimv the pain l was inflicting;
bur. at all risks ! must be free.
e.ftte