Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-01-26
Just then the bell rang, and the ser.

srow that you prefer his company to
mine, and have a charming book that
want to finish''
Mildred could scarcely analyze her
feelings as she walked slowly down stairs
to meet her lover, for she had always
hurried with bounding steps before.
She did not believe one word of what
Ida had limited, but she wished she had
not heard the foolish story.
Notwithstanding, her manner was
rather cold; but she did not mean to be
so, and Clarence noticed it.
What ais you, darling?" he asked.
"1 don't know, Clarence; / believe
I'm not very well, that's all.''
Then they chatted while, but not as
formerly, and Clarence, unrolling a
piece of music, asked Mildred to try it.
1t was lovely song, and she sang it
sweetly, to please Clarence.
At last the constraint wore Off, and
under the power of Clarence Ruskin's
destinations, Mildred was herself again.
He stayed later than usual, and when
she returned to her bosom friend, Ida
remarked:
You must have had delightful
evening, Mildred, for it is nearly eleven
o'clock.
cit was pleasant, Ida; but wonder
if l had not better say something to
Clarence about his cousin?'
Z" Nonsense, child!'' was the reply,
she wouldn't tell you the truth, for
don't believe that he has lived to be
nearly thirty without love affair. You
had better be contented, Mildred; per-
haps you wouldn't like to hear more. -
The story ranked, however, and she
made the great mistake of concealing
from her intended husband these fool
ish rumors.
Every now and then Ida dropped her
imprudent words concerning this cousin,
and Mildred wished that she knew what
was really the truth.
She did not know how soon she was
to be brought face to face with this i'm
aginary rival.
One evening Clarence came with the
intelligence that Lucy Douglas was com.
ing to pay visit to a friend in New
York.
81 wish that you knew her, Mildred,''
he said; 'she is one of the sweetest
girls that / ever knew, save one, and |
know that you will learn to love her."
"You have never said much about
her, Clarence" was the reply.
"That is true, dear; 1 have been so
much engrossed with my own darling,
| that almost forgot my cousin Lucy.
We were brought up together, and
passed our young days in the same
house."
sis she beautiful, Clarence?''
Perfectly lovely" was the reply.
Accomplished, too?'
"Yes; no pains have been spared to
polish the sweet girl.''
And good, too, Clarence?"
eyes, Mildred-truly excellent.
81 wonder how you withstood all
these attractions, Clarence, being in the
same house, too"
| Nonsense, Mildred! I don't like
such hints, for Lucy to me is a beloved
sister,
"Forgive me, Clarence" she said
81 didn't mean to hurt you.'
On the following week the young
lady arrived and Mildred fastened to
call
1t was all true-for lucy Douglass
was lovely, and she saw that there was
a strong bond of attachment between
the two cousins.
Clarence wished to make her visit
pleasant; and in all the parties made for
| her by land and water, Mildred was ex-
pected to be one.
"Don't you see how he remembers
the old love?' said Ida; and poor Mil
dred was tormented still by jealous
thoughts.
She saw, too, that there was secret
| between the two, for she often surprised
them talking confidently alone, and saw
that Lucy was troubled about something
that she did not understand.
But Lucy's visit came to an end, and
Clarence took her home to her aunt's,
staying several days with the family.
Keeping her thoughts to herself, Mil
dred was still annoyed, when few
| trusting words could have set all right
but Ida was always in the way-such an
unwise bosom fried.
The wedding-day at length arrived,
and Mildred Percy took the sacred vows
of wife to Clarence Ruskin.
After a short wedding trip, they took
possession of a lovely home, and Mil
dred, with such noble husband, might
have been one of the happiest of women,
but the breath of the bosom friend still
poisoned the atmosphere of welded
| love.
One morning at the BREAKFAST table,
Clarence read letter just handed to
him, and laying it down, said: 'Lucy is
coming to pay us visit, Mildred; she
is not well.'
The wife did not say much, but won
dered why Clarence did not hand her
the letter.
At length she said, rather coldly, ''I
will get her room ready"
The husband looked at her earnestly,
saying:
81 hope that my wife will make my
cousin welcome"
"You need have no fears" she said !;
ssI shall never forget my duty
He arose suddenly, and taking his hat,
left the house without the usual kiss.
This was the first cloud in the matri-
monial sky, and Mildred was miserable
all day.
When her husband returned, she has
tened to meet him, and throwing her