The Dickinson press., 1883-07-28
THE IRON ROOM.
From the Argosy.

na0 Gme 10 LOOK about her., ana
one of the first inconvenient things she
saw was the very evident love affair be-
tween handsome Jack Talbot, of the
til, who had nothing in the world but
his Captains pay, and her only daughter
Lillian, who first duty to her parents
lay in making an eligible match! This
would never do. But the worldly wise
lady reflected that Captain ralbot's visit
was only to last three days longer, and
with true art appeared blissfully con-
tent with the position. The night be-
fore he went away, the sutton applied to
Mr.. Hope, and begged to have his
prayer favorably answered; and he (hav-
ing received his brief from his wife)
temporized gently; spoke of youth,
changeable affections, and so on, and
said he could not at present give q def
mite answer.
off you like" said the father; and
nothing could have ended better. Lii
liam waved a damp pocket handkerchief
from the window, and the knight erode
away"
A month ::later Jack was ordered to
Egypt, and Mrs. Hope thought it highly
probable that all her difficulties would
be removed by the Egyptians. Ii not,
the time was gained at any rate, and
day;
ing, "Lord Blackmoor is evidently struck
with Lillian"
$50 1 see," responded the wife, smil-
inn nomp1ooonf1v
~ shouldn't be surprised if he spoke
shortly"
$50 much the BETTER"
"But ah-haw about that other fell
low" Queried Mr.. Hope, uneasily.
"Nothing about him." said Mrs. Hope,
resolutely; che must not be mentioned"
"Lork Blackmoor is very old"
HE will make the better husband"
Gillian is q beautiful, warm-hearted
GIRL" faltered the father.
Had she not been beautiful a coronet
would lot have been offered her"
"But Harriet, you and | were both
young when we were married"
Mrs. Hope calmly fixed her fine eyes
on the ceiling, and her husband saw
sentiment would find no response.
And so, while Jack was bronzing his
handsome face and fighting for his coun-
try in Egypt, his Lillian was desired to
receive the addresses Of an elaborate old
fop of sev%enty-fve, and she only eight
en-. But these things happened, so we
must contemplate them.
Between her mother and Lord Black
moor it was arranged that the wedding
should take place in December, and in
the meantime came that captain
Talbot was killed.
The Hopes return took place the end
Of November, and the old bridegroom
elect was to come there in December.
He arrived, and, to the girl seemed
more distasteful than ever. lie followed
her about with an affection of youthful
ardor, which sorely varied with govt
and dyspepsia.
Mamma" said the frenzied Lillian
elf you don't keep him away from me
now, !ll say no at the ALTAR" And fear
ing that this was true, Mrs. Hope re-
jsoiced in an attack of govt which con
fined the old nobleman to his room,
devotion.
So then the poor girl wandered down
to the boat house. 1t was half q mile
from the house, and there was a snugly
furnished iron room there, where tea
things and spirit lamps were kept. Lii
liam had often made tea here in the
happy summer; and now she entered
the room, which stanc ok cold and damp
from long disuse, and throwing herself
in q chair, and sobhed as if her heart
were breaking.
A footstep outside made Lillian star
up quickly. 1t was the postman Oh his
way to the house.
"Have you any letters for me?" asked
eyes, miss. SURELY" said the man; anc
he found three, handed them to her
and passed on.
Lillian re.entered the iron room, sanl
on a sofa, and with trembling hands
tore open one-it was from Jack. As
she read it she found that other letters
had been sent to her-who had them
Jack was in London; said he was fast
recovering from his wounds, and tina
he had determined to come down and
hear from her own lips that she gave
him, up. And concluded by saying he
would be atthe noat-house by 5 O'Clock
the next evening-would she meet hin
there?
The next evening meant this evening
this evening that ever was; for the let
Ter had been written the day before.
Lillian's delight at this unexpected
news was paramount. She h~astene(
back to the house, determining tina
| nothing should reveal the change. She
inquired ciyilly after Lord Rlackmoor
had five dresses tried on by a dress
maker, drove with her mother to pay
some calls and when thev returned home
it was aQu~arterto five o'clock. Mrs. Hope
ordered tea for herself in her bedroom
saying she should sit afterward will
Lord Blackmoor till dinner time, SO Lii
lian was at liberty. She escaped in thu
dark winter afternoon, ran swift,
through the para, and as she neared til.
boathouse she saw a tall, well-known
figure keeping out of the way Of observa
ton. Her heart beat SO violently tina
she could scarcely go'on, and then tn
lover threw caution to the Winds, and ii
another lew seconds'al that was need
full was told, and the old, old story wen
moor existed.
Late that night, after Mrs. Hope ant
the servants had gone to bed, Lillian
sought her father in the library.
"My dear girl. what is the matter?'
he cried, %nervously, as the fair form O
his daughter, robed in q light blue dress
ing gown, suddenly appeared and sal
down on his foot-stool.
Papa, Jack isn't Dead" whispered
Lillian, fixing her lovely eyes on Mr.
Hopes wondering conntenance ane
londling his hand.
isn't he, my dear?" h%elplessly in
quired the old gentleman, who had BEEF
aware of the fact FOR some time.
II am going to marry Jack, paoa,"
"Then don't tell me, my dear, lon'
tell me" exclaimed Mr.. Hope, a bean
o fdelight on his c~ountenance. ~ knoy
nothing about it, mind; if l did you
mother would worm it out of me-" Fo
there are still "Caudle Lectures" dea