Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-07-12

irrevocably; this fancy may wear itself
out if you will but wait and contrast
him with others
lit will never wear out until die, -
said Dana, not passionately, not re-
belliously, but with a fixed belief in the
trush of what she said. ssDo you know,
mamma, believe I must come of some
loyal race-poor and obscure. perhaps
but. loyal to death, If fate were so
unkind as to part me from Launt, ]
could never love another, in that way,
until died.
An inscrutable change went over the
face of the older woman.
.You don know, you don't KNOW
she said, sadly, as if she might have
thought as Dana did, one day.
There was no absolute engagement,
therefore, but Launt was admitted as a
daily visitor to the house, happiness
enough in itself for the lovers.
'.And happiness brightens my cousin
up wonderfully, don't you think so, Mr..
Marquis?' Alexia inquired.
1t was two or three evenings later. a
dull and rainy evening, and the family
party had deserted the drawing-room to
assemble in the library. Launt was
there as one having the right; and Cor
don Marquis, conspicuous by his alb
sence since the day of his rivals appear
ance had dropped in quite in his old
informal way.
He looked across at Dana with unmis-
taxable regret in his eyes.
''Is it the happiness?'' he asked. 81
thought it was in my imagination, as
blessings brighten when they take their
fight"
"You know all about it, then?''
"Mrs. Oliphant had the kindness to
tell me, to spare me from future mis-
takes. She had the goodness to say
mean. to be sorry for me,' suddenly
checking himself.
''To say that she would prefer it if
you were the fiance-elect," Lex supplied
Aunt Roses preference, no mistaking
have observed it, / suppose. l wonder
why she dislikes Mr.. Harrington so
much?"
Before he could make any reply, the
door opened and a servant announced
Mr.. Quest.
"You, Harmon?" said Mr.. Oliphant,
IN some surprise. 'COme IN. have
YOU news for me?"
Mr.. Quest gave slight bow to the
assembled company, deeper bow to
his questioner, and addressed himself to
the latter. =
"News which chiefly concern myself.
[ am going on a journey soon which
will interfere with the small services L
have been able to render you, sir
Going far?'' asked the gentleman,
leaving his sofa to approach the desk.
I'm afraid all these calls on your time
must interfere sadly with that literary
venture of yours"
"They do said Mr.. Quest, "but I
think of abandoning that enterprise for
another, which promises better-privaie
inquiry line, half way between lawyer
and detective-and requiring the quail
ties of both of them. It's q case of that
kind which is taking me now. Thanks!'
as Mr.. Oliphant scrubbed someth ne
upon a slip of paper and passed it to
him. This something he knew to be a
check for the services he had rendered,
and put it into his pocket without look
ing at the amount. THE job | have
before me-" he continued, ''is to hunt
up an heir to snug sum of money
which has gone begging for an owner
these last eighteen years.
GA long time for money, to be I'M
claimed, surely
''But, you see, there are some pc
culiar circumstances about the case
which rather take away from the
pleasure of the inheritance. The pre-
vious owner, once the member of q
banking firm at 4 little place in New
York, was hung for the murder of his
partner He left wife. and-pre-
srmably-a child; but they disappeared
without laying claim to what he left.
I'm starting out on an eighteen-year-
find Rodney Frances wife and heir-or
because they are no longer on the face
of the earth"
There was CLEAN in the eyes of
the speaker as they swept his audience.
At the words Rodney Frances wife
and heir" Launt Harrington turned,
made as if he would have spoken, then
sank back into his seat, and put up his
hand before his changing face. He was
not the only one upon whom they
seemed to exert a magical effect.
Mr.. Oliphant wheeled. ''Rosen he
cried. She had risen, wild terror in her
wide open eyes. She stood for one in
stand wavering and CHASTITY, and then,
as her husband reached her, sank I'M
conscious in his arms.
CHAPTER XI.
DROPPING A HINT.
"You are going to marry that girl!''
1t was Mr.. killuth who said it, Mr..
Killuth who lay back in his chair, and