The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-05-18
CHAPTER /.
ron RFTTER OR WORSE.

CHAPTER 1.
FOR BETTER OR WORSE.
A young man was walking very rest
lessly about private parlor of the st.
Louis, in the days when the st. Louis
was the first hotel of New Orleans.
Something was weighing upon his mind
which sent an occasional shadow fitting
across his face, but these shadows We're
like filmy clouds just touching the SUMS
disc, and melting before radiance too
strong to be resisted.
He was very young, twenty-five at
furthest. but the lines of experience in
his boyish face told of "reckless days
and. sleepless nights" of too much
champagne and euchre. and not little.
perhaps, of balls and bellies and kindred
designations of social life.
He faced around as the door opened
and an older man entered.
SAT last! / thought you were never
coming, Killuth.
s'And YOU wanted me to come? That
is something new. I've rather felt my
self in the way of your mysterious adj
ventures this fortnight past. 1 suppose
YOU want to make a clean breast of it
and tell me what's in the wind
That's il" with nervous laugh.
''The murders out, in five words: 1 tcas
married this morning."
''It-it isn't possible, you know" he
gasped, blankly. eAnd IL must say,
/ don't appreciate that sort of joke.
Good heavens, Rodney! don't tell me
that YOU have been such an unutterable
idiot, in all realityn
Some of Mr.. Killuth's wonted cool
ness was returning to him, and he hard
~ needed further assurance when he
saw the flush of resentment which
passed over the young mans face.
Il think even YOU will pardon my
idiocy when you once see the object of
it, he retorted. "At any rate, l am
not answerable TO you for my actions.
did think of asking you to stand by
me. to give my bride the encourage
ment of one friendly countenance in
leaving her associations here for the
future have to offer her. But if you
don't choose to grant that favor, why,
don't! I'll try TO get along without the
+ boon"
Mr.. Killuth put out deprecating
hand.
My dear fellow, you go too fast!
Give me ? little time TO get over this
stunning intelligence. Married! And
it is not six weeks since you came here,
raving about an enchantress whom they
want you to forget up North, your
guardians daughter, isn't it? How are
YOU 10 get over that little affair? Oh,
/ know, Sangerford objected, naturally
enough. Thought you were too young
and too wild, but he didn't put an ex-
tinguisher on the hope that you might
overcome those objections in time, and
YOU certainly gave me to understand
that there was promise of some sort
between you and the girl"
"A promise which / have broken"
said Rodney France, passionately, 'as
/ would ten thousand promises, had
they come between Mignon and me.
Don't think l am lost to all. sense of
honor, killuth. I've acted despicably,
but have great excuse, and this is my
wedding-day. Idon't intend to shadow
it with vain regrets"
WELL said Killuth, with the pa
thence of martyrdom depicted on his
countenance, ''go on, and tell me the
whole story. promised Sangerford to
keep an eye on you for your own good,
but my duty doesn't require me to
quarrel with you for your own folly"
Rodney hesitated. Suddenly, and for
the first time, he realized how very lit
tie he could tell. Only the Il saw her
and loved her" of hot-headed youth that
never stops to weigh the consequences.
"See here. Kiliuth," he said, reso-
lutely; Il won't have you sneering over
the little romance which has glorifed
my life. don't doubt but that / am
fool according to your way of think
ing, and know that am not half good
enough for the bride / have won. Her
father will tell You so. He had other
views for her, and his opposition drove
US to elandestine marriage this morn
ing. He has concluded to make the
best of it now that it is over. We go
to Florida in another day or two for the
honeymoon, and have permission to
bring my friend this evening to call
upon my bride"
Mr.. Killuth, however, had another
affair on hand to take precedence of
this
"Tl 60" he said, "But there's poor
Launt Harrington! Another specimen
of youths folly for you. 1 met his
mother down there ON the street and
promised her to look him up. He has
thrown away fortune, health, honor,
everything, IN the past six months for
that thing you call love. VIII you 60
with me, France? He is pretty sure to
be found at Varick's den."
"No," safa Rodney France, with
straightforward look and heightened
color. "Fve turned over a new leaf.
1 shall not set foot in gambling house
of any description, Heaven helping me,
ever again
A slight, cynical smile went across
killuth's face, but he said nothing, and
took his departure after arranging to
meet his companion at later hour.
France would think it PROCLAMATION
to mention La June in the same breath
with this girl whom he has married,
and yet he knows no more of her than
poor Launt did of the fatal beauty that