Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-03-29

liked to lean over her, and look down
in her face, and catch the fond look In
the uplifted eyes; he had always felt a
sort of lover-like fondness for his fair
faced ''little mother,' as he called her,
since he had held her in his arms and
comforted her that day when he left
her for the first time, to answer the call
that the far-away sea was continually
sounding in his ears.
! Once he said "mother"' and then
checked himself involuntarily, and
walked to the window and looked out.
Mother he said at length. facing
round abruptly, Il am going out. II
am not in at supper time do not wait
| for me-
mo; but I would like to have you.
dear" she answered wistfully. But if
she wants you to stay, perhaps You had
better, as you know you did 60 away
rather abruptly. But perhaps she
won't make up she added, smiling.
and wondering in her secret hesrt how
any one could help it with him.
Myra Anderson stood in the door asd
watched her boy walking of in his quick.
firm way-walking swiftly and eagerly
and she said to herself. half smiling and
| half sad: chow eager he is to see her;
he cannot stay half an hour. with ne.
| Well, don't doubt but Blanche is wabt-
ing too see him as much, and | must
tieaIn to give up to her; a mother 8
place cannot always be thefirst place."
Just the faintest bit of q sigh trem bling
upon her lips as she turned to 90 in.
Although he had not said SO. she knew
perfectly well where he was going-she
thought. f"s sa' p +.-.' -s.f
Ralph Anderson was usually a quick,
nervous walker, but this afternoon bis
fee seemed to spurn the ground, his
impatience increasing momBntly, Whiie
sort of suppressed excitement burned
and g!owed in his face. But strangely
enough he. did not turn toward his
uncle's, but walked straight in the d.
recton of, and straight to, Montford
House, ringing the bell with jerk that
cane near breaking the wire.
rs Miss Blake here?' he demanded
of Susan Dale, who opened the door to
his peremptory ring, looking a little
surprised and startled till sEs fairly re-
allied who it was, then she said she be-
lieved she was somewhere about fhe
house@ though she hadn't seen her since
noon" - b. ., '.
,.i.'1ell her to come here" he Inter
rupted; II wish to see her. H~t
81 shouldn't wonder mite if he was
going to be married right straight away,
and wanted to engage her for a maid,'
soliloquized Susan, as she hurried up
the stairs. .,.-,l r4-t-.-- 5
1t was perhaps five minutes-to Ralph
it seemed as many hours-before. Stella
made her appearance, looking SO worn
and pale that he forgot his Impotence
in anxiety. .. .r ..r4E to. -..,..'
Are YOU i'll, Miss Blake?'' he cried,
before she had reached the door, taking
step toward her. G... ......
But Miss Blake took step backward,
and flashed n look OF cool inquiry in his
face. Ii he had forgotten their last in
terview, she had not, ami was evidently
determined that he should remember it,
too. This brought him to his senses
enough for him to see that Susan Dale
was waiting in the hall.
Miss Blake, will you do me the
favor of stepping to the door," he said,
quietly; Il wish to see YOU d7one.n
Susan Dale went into the dining
room, shutting the door after her with
an expressive slam.
81 unaware that am taking great
lihcrty,' Ralph began, a fear that she
might refuse suddenly expressing him;
:. but / wish very much to see you where
| can talk with you without fear of in
'tefruption. 1t is a matter: OF deep i'm
portance to me, and if You would walk
with me little way-or, if you prefer,
Il will call Tor. you with d. earriage., -.
"Iprefer to walk she said, quietly.
ITO RE CONTINJ-ED