Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-04-19
Montford round to the front steps

hOullOIu Icuuu ~ tAo IOHt SttpA
They were there-the small footprints,
partially over-blown with snow in some
places, in others plain and distinct.
MY God, she has persisted in the
snow" Ralph groaned. all the light and
color gone from his, face,x all the bright
hope from his heart. p f
"No; do not think so, my friend"
Victer4said, calmly. - 1t was not cold.
was a moon. think she has gone to
the city, and perhaps further. l only
waited your coming before sending, as
it was barely possible she might have
come to your house. | thought"
"Let me 90; | cannot wait. and it is
my right to ind her., Ralph exclaimed.
IS Your right?' Victor asked, laying
his hand nervously on his arm, and
looking searchingly in his face.
g Yes, the right man has in one he
loves he replied, resolutely meeting
his look.
"A faint Pickering red came into Vic
tor Montford' cheek. s.
s. Perhaps You are thinking of my
cousin Blanche" Ralph said, quietly,
''and the rumors which have associated
our names; but there is nothing in
them-at least not now Blanche
doesn't believe in cousins marrying, l
expect, Or else somebody else was be-
fore me-" he added, with faint smile
and a meaning look.
All, how the. light flashed into the
pure, fair face, and the Pickering color
shot up to the blue veined temples and
white, boyish forehead!
MAY be it is Il lie. but it's such y
white one, and makes him 50 happy, be-
SIDE giving Blanche the advantage, that
| rather think il 5 less a lin to tell it than
it would be the truth" Ralph said to
himself. approvingly.
There was s;rong. warm grasp CT
the hands, but nothing more was said
until Ralph was seated in the sleigh, and
had taken up the reins.
You will let me know as soon az
possible:?'' Montford asked, earnestly.
before noon-perhaps before ten
O'Clock. l shall dri, e directly to the sta
ton, after telling the folks att home,'
and he drove hastily away. = .-,,-
just before reaching home. and while
revolving in his mind how best to break
the bitter disappo .ntment to his moth
er, his eye caught the faint print of a
small, slender foot. here and there by
the side of the road. Sometimes, for
tw.ce the length OF the sleigh. it would
be utter y lost; then again family. and
then more DO dly. dlscernih:a. His heart
gave a fierce bound, and Is sprang II m
he sleigh and ben: G:,,.c,>- sna examined
tne-foot prints-they were identical with
those on the long marble steps al Mont
ford House.
The barn door was open: he gave
Bess light cut with the reins, threw
them across her back, and she shot
straight as an arrow into it, the run
ners grating family on the great floor
as Ralph threw open the door into. the
kitchen. FULLY expecting to meet the
surprised and disappointed face of his
mother on the threshold. But instead
she rose up-he saw she had been weep
ing, and that she was still trembling,
despite her effort to be calm-an,l
placed chair for him, and then
looked .anxiously and piteously in hi;
face.
.Do you know-have you heard,'' b.,
asked. quickly, ''that she is gomez
>"Give him the letter, mother BEN
Anderson said, in low, unsteady
voice, getting up and walking toward
the window, and then coming bach:
again.
Myra Anderson drew little damp,
crumpled note from her bosom and put
it in his hand. - .-- r -.
Your father found it in the entry
after you had gone. 1t is torn at the
I edge where it was pushed under the
door. and it is damp yet with the snow, -
she said, struggling bravely to keep
back the tears.
To BE CONTINUED.