Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1882-03-02

always seemed to me part of the pretty
speech to accompany it with pressure
of the hand, if one was intimate enough
to venture upon the familiarity; and
surely the relationship between Sue and
myself warranted this little tenderness.
| Would to Heaven it had eliminated
there and then in an engagement!
told Sue I never saw her looking so
beautiful, and keeping her hand in mine,
drew her to corner away from the
workmen's ears.
"Oh, Mort,'' she said, 81 do so hate
to have you go!"
I" I'll be back soon,' replied, "and
by that time you'll have made fortune
in your iuting machine
Il only puzzled over it to please
you,' said the affectionate girl; and I
was so touched by her interest in me
| and the business that was on the point
of proposing there and then; but an
officious foreman interrupt me about
some cases, and had only time enough
to catch the train. 1t was a settled
thing in the family that Sue and should
marry some day, so thought there was
more necessity for precipitancy in reach
ing the depot than in securing my beau
tiful and generous cousin for wife.
The journey was an uneyentful one,
and l reached Denver in trim to enjoy
anything that might be in store for me.
Driving up the main street, which was
far finer than.I expected, reached the
establishment of my cousin Jack, before
the door of which remarkably hand
some pony was paving and prancing.
So Ten to one," said, "that is a lady's
horse" and involuntarily brushed the
red clay from my duster, and adjusted
my hat carefully. The moment en-
tered the door, Jack utter an exclama-
ton of delight, and greeted me in a very
affectionate manner; but he didn't
bulge from behind the counter, where a
young lady was matching some Berlin
wool. Turning to the light to better
distinguish the color, she was immedi-
ately under my gaze; and though by
this time Jack had sprung across the
counter and deluged me with questions
about all at home, could get no words
to reply. Coming as 1 did from the
very center of civilization, it was not
likely that any ordinary girl could thus
paralyze my faculties. No, I say it now,
and shall always maintain, that Miss
Florence May was not only the most
beautiful woman 1 ever beheld, but 1
doubt very much if her match could be
easily found in both continents. 1t is
impossible to describe her, because
words are too tame. l might say that
her eyes were blue, but a passing emo
ton would change their color; and
though her hair was like gold in the
sun, the feeting shadow would make it
nut-brown. In repose her features were
classic; but when were they ever in re-
pose? There is only this to say about
Miss May, that her beauty was not a
matter of Opinion-a stranger was inn
mediately dazzled and spell-bound, let
him be whom he may. Jack seemed to
be on tolerable terms with her.
He was a prosperous young merchant,
and had the family prerogative of fine
presence; but could see that she held
him in comparative Indifference. 1
trembled with the magnetism of her
eyes, which, without egotism, felt that
she allowed to rest upon mine with
more than ordinary feeling, and the
touch of her hand was significant
When she babe US good-by, two of her
gloved fingers touched the tips of Jacks;
but her whole little palm lay in mine for
a quarter of minute, which might have
been an eternity so far as exquisite SEN
sation is concerned.
"By gracious!' cried Jack, while I
watched the beautiful creature disap-
pear in the envious red dust of Denver,
ssthat was an awful strain! I was so
afraid you'd blurt out something about
the business at home. If she knew
was connected with it even in the re-
hottest way, she'd never set foot in the
store again. But its always safe to count
on stranger being f1abbergasted with
her beauty at first sight; and now let
me warn you, for see you're going to
be favorite-let me warn you, while
you're here, to keep mum about the
trade at home. 1 won't let on, and
there's no way of the old man May find
ing out anything about it."
"I'm not ashamed of the business,
Jack" said.
'sNeither am L." he replied. "On the
contrary, I'm proud of it. It's fine,
solid, comfortable, money-making thing;
but people will have prejudices, you
know. The old man May is as touchy
as sensitive-plant in that quarter; he's
well on for seventy, but he's a robust,
hearty, magnificent old fellow, good for
twenty years more il he isn't disturbed
in his fancies, and he don't allow him
self to be if he can help it. tell you
what it is, Mort, must beg of you, for
my sake if not for your own, to steer
clear of revelations as to your occupa-
tion.'
felt myself growing red and flustered.
SIT isn't likely shall see her again."
said; ''and promise you will not in
terfere with your or anybody's imbe-
cilities."
/ stalked out of the store, but Jack
followed me, and went up to the hotel
with me, and before we had gone twenty
rods 1 was begging him, with tears in
my eyes, to take me up to the May man.
sion that night. 1t was useless to strive
with the sudden passion that beset me
it was too strong and vehement; it would
have its way. Never had l been over
whelmed with such hurricane of emo
tions-hope, fear, ecstasy, dread, de-