Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-06-21

their country house on the Hudson
They filled it with guests, and by every
means in their power tried to win the
only daughter of the house from the
shadow of that cloud which had dark
ened her young life. Rose had dropped
like some tender flower; but even fow-
ers will stand many rude shock in
passing storms, and bloom brightly
again in the sunshine afterward. Rose
at last began to get back her color, but
still there were times when she ran away
from the gay presence and light laugh.
ter of the happy hearted people who
had no secret woe to carry.
There was a screened terrace over
hanging the river which was one of her
favorite walks. She had excused her
self from driving and come here, one
August afternoon, to be alone with her
thoughts. Perhaps. too, she wanted to
get away from somebody's pleading
g1ances. = r =
$ '..Oh, DEAR she sighed, {" shall have
to make him unhappy, too, and papa
and mamma both like him SO well. But
it is cruel of them cruel to think I
shall ever marry any one now
A little locket which she always wore.
but which she had not opened for
months, hung at her throat. She put
up her hand iand touched it with a
CULVER of her lips. , - y
"And he never asked me for help
after all, was the thought in her mind.
At the very moment, lady. all in
black from headsto foot, was crossing
the lawn inthe direction of the terrace
Rose saw her, wohderingly. Tt was no
one she knew, vet some vague memory
stirred before the stranger spoke.
Mrs. France" she said, ANNOUNCE
ing herself. ; .. Miss Sans erford, have
come to you because my husbands in
his last message, requested me to do
So
At that name Rose started. Instant
" her mind went, back to that summer
night a year ago, to that scene by the
roadside, when she had looked for an
instant into the bright Southern face of
her fortunate rival, and felt in her heart
that Rodney was not to blame for sue
cumbing to beauty like hers But now,
how changed. The girl realized, even
then, that her sorrow was but passing
regret to the deep, unquenchable an
guish which this woman bore.
g Sit DOWN. she said. gently, leading
the way to rustic bench. Tell me
what can do for you?'' .4
t'1ou can take my child. keep her,
and never let her know what an unhap-
Ply wretch her mother is.''
Your child! IT, cried Rose, startled
beyond measure. She began to think
that the other was scarcely responsible
for what she said. =
-''Wait. Read his note to you It is
his will, not mine-oh. not mine"'
Rose was half-territied and wholly be-
Mechanically she took the pa
per. mechanically read the strong APP
peal which Rodney France had written
there that she should take upon herself
the guardianship of his posthumous
child.
but I do not understand she said.
ssWhy did he wish to take it from YOU?
And it is impossible, utterly impossi-
bler' !
1T must be DONE" declared Mignon,
in a stifl, impressive way, "My hus-
bands last wishes shall be carried out,
shall be! at the cost of telling you achy
he considered the mother no fit guardian |
for her child. Oh, my husband, my |
husbandr' se
There was tempest under all that |
marble calm. She locked her transpar-
emit fingers together, in spasm of tear !
less grief which convulsed her whole |
form.
Don't, pray. DON'T pleaded Rose,
beyond measure, You are
not strong enough to agitate yourself I
like this. l heard that you were sick;
you do not look Well new.n sea.
"Sick unto death, and / never knew
IF his danger until it was too late. I
Think of it; if had known l could have F
saved him. 1t is that thought which is
Killing me-let me tell YOU WHY
Down upon her knees in the grass
went Mignon. to relate her story. with
signs and great, dry sobs
choking her utterance. And Rose
Iktened, mortified. ashast Little Won
ier-ittle wonder-that Rodney France
had thought his wife no proper guard
an for his child.
The story was told. An apathetic
Iuietude came over the narrator at it's
close. yBenumbed. and stricken dumb,
Rose sat, pale and still as the dead.
It was Mignon who broke the silence at
asst.
'.Now,. viii You grant his request?
viii Won take the child?"
''Oh,' l can not. can mott" broke
rom Rose in wild, despairing cry.
You will not keep your promise to
him, because you can not forget am
Ter mother"
1T is not that. NY father would
never consent, and without his consent
can do nothing Wait; let me think
f there is any way /
She buried her face in her hands. Tt
lawned upon her that there was one
possible way-that she could
Keep her solemn promise to Rodney
France. The red blood surgedin hot
over the hidden face, and she
ooked up a moment after with glitter
If excitement in her eyes. -.s<
''Where can see you tomorrow"
he asked. Il will let you know what
can do then"
Mignon told her, and on the morrow
Rose entered the cottage to which Rod
ley had brought the bride short year
lgo, a soft, shy light in her plying
yes.
ut is all arranged" she announced.
: have permission to take her. Please
l~<~,,- l.,l.