The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-02-17
"No claim?'' echoed Dick.

Dy TINS time, and in STOPPING to unfasten
the latch, he gained q little leisure for
sef-control.
What have I to give her but
myself" he thought. "And what
am l but great, hulking fellow, who
has not yet found out what his place is
to be in the world. Better wait forever,
than to come to her empty-handed."
He opened the gate for her to pass
through, and then, aided by his strong
arms, she sprang into the wagon.
"No claim, Milly?'' he repeated Bit
terly. "No claim! It's pity if the girl
l have known ever since she was baby,
whom have drawn to school on my
sled, and who has been to me first play
mate, then friend-I say it's great
pity if the girl who is as dear-as dear
as DEAR Dick felt the blood mount
ing to his forehead, as he continued.
stammering, Gas dear to me as-as-a
aister-cannot feel that she has the best
claim on me in the world. And as for
Uncle Seth, who, in his prosperous days,
has done SO many kind turns for mother
and me, why, his claim is so plain that
blind man could see it. o, Milly,
don't speak like that again. You don't
know how the words hurt. Hold the
reins for me moment, while look for
the lantern. Where can it be?''
just then there was the pattering of
feet on the gravel-walk, and young
woman ran down to the gate, swinging
a lantern in her hand.
"Here's your lantern, Dick Ashley"
she said, raising it so that the light
showed her to be a bright, black-eyed,
rosy-cheeked, rusty beauty. Il thought
you would be wanting it, SO I came
down and took it up to the house to light
it for you. And 1 should have been
back sooner only was hindered in help
ing with the supper. Well, how did
you like the concerto You haven't
thanked me, Milly, for getting you a
place, where you could see and hear it
ALL"
"Thank you, Kate. 1t was a great
treat. I shall remember that voice as
long as live. And all the time the
lady was singing, felt as if 1 was going
p-up-up-I don't know where"
"Well, Milly," and Dick laid his
hand on her arm, "please don't 60
up-we want you down here, just at
present. You see, Kate, whenever
Milly gets into her romantic flights, Tam
the weight to pull her down to sober
common sense; otherwise, we might lose
her,
Rates keen eyes caught the movement
of Dicks hand and scowl passed over
her handsome face.
emily loves music so WE'LL" she said,
"and understands so much more about
it, that she feels differently from us.
Now, for my part, Dick, 1 think Milly's
voice just as fine as the one you heard
tonight; and believe she could sing
Just as well if she had the teaching"
emily doesn't need any teaching. She
sings well enough as it isl
20, Kate. o, Dick" said Milly, de-
preciatingly, while Dick held out his
hand, impatiently, for the lantern.
81 do" reiterated Kate. '.It's the SOL
emn truth. I only wish had Milly's
voice. You wouldn't catch me settling
down in stupid place like this when I
might get to be rich and famous. There's
no end to the luck good voice brings.
Why, there's Miss B, up at the house,
the lady who sang tonight; they say
she was a poor country girl; and some
one found out what voice she had, and
gave her lessons; and now she is just
rolling in money, She takes care of her
mother, that gray-haired lady, who sat
near the door; and does so much good
besides. And can see, as I wait on her
at table, how much every one, even
those grand 'stuck-up' people thinks of
her.
Kate was the daughter of one of the
village farmers. She taught school the
greater part of the year, and during
vacation, eked out her scanty income by
waiting on table at the Mount hotel.
"Wait a moment, Dick, pleaded Mil
ly, as the young man murmured some
thing about its being time to 60. elbow
long will Miss B stay at the hotel,
Kate?''
"Only this week. Then she goes to
Europe to rest. She gave that concert
last night to help one of the poor women
at the hotel. She is a kind body, and
seems to be always ready to do friendly
act,'
The young horse darted forward as he
felt the sudden sting of Dicks lash.
"Good-night, Kate" called the young
man. "You and Milly will catch your
deaths, standing out here in the damp"
Kate stood for moment listening to the
sound of the retreating wheels. ''Look
sharp, Dick Ashley, she said, with a mock
ing laugh, ''or you'll lose your pretty
bird. You think you have her safe
Gagged; but for all your watchfulness, she
may fly out into the world and leave
you; and am the one Wbo has upfast-
ened the door. I've seen that Milly has
been uneasy in her mind this long while,
thinking of the old folks trouble, and
wanting to earn something to help
them. 1t only needed those words from
me to start the thing. With Milly once
well out of the way, Dick might have
eyes for girls who are far more hand
some than she. It's game worth play
ing, at all events, and I am willing to
risk everything on it."
Dick, alarmed and vexed at the turn
had taken, drove home in
silence; and Miliy was too busy with her
half-formed plans, to say more than a
word Or two