Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-07-26

child you not sec that they are
really mother and daughter? No, do
not grow angry; hear me out. l am
coming to Miss Alicia's part of the
story She attended her cousins we'd
ding, and she tells me that she was
aware then that Miss Sangerford had
I some inexplicable Interest in an infant
which was lodged in Il cottage near her
| fathers home. She discovered that she
made daily visits there. she learned
| facts which no one else suspected, and
she has indubitable proof that it was the
/ same child which Mrs. Oliphant after
ward palmed off upon her husband as a
| deserted waif. and which he was led by
| her entreatieS to adopt. She is certain
of that fact. The child had peculiar
mark which attracted her attention. and
| that mark she has discovered Dana
! Oiiphant bears. Il could consent
Launcelot, to your wedding an obscure
and portionless girl. but never one
whose only birthright is Il shameful
secret. who is branded rs it We're with
her own Disgrace"
Launt started. Something like those
words had rung in his ears before
shame and disgracen' and with them
the lawyers sneering question: 6: You
couldn't imagine anything of that
sort in connection with Mrs Oil
phant, now, could you?'' He threw
back his head. There was a flame in
| his checks. a blaze in his eyes, and he
brought his clenched hand down upon
the mantel by which he stood, with a
force which set every ornament there
jingling.
Il don't and I won't believe it. Fur
| thernore, grandmother. I,warn you not
to spread the vie SANDER that woman
has manufactured. | will take it upon
myself to give her q warning which |
think sheRvill heed. The insult to Mrs.
Oliphant Is not one which her husband
would overlook should it come to his
ear. AS for me. need hardly tell YOU
that the tittlc-tattle of a mischief-mak-
ing old maid will not turn me from my
purpose. If YOU choose to let it weigh
with You -
With a wOrdless cry, Madame Far
rington held out her trembling hands.
1t was as if she recognized a force which
she was powcrless to resist, and begged
for mercy to herself in her helpless age.
If you choose to let it part us, it viii
be your doing. not mine.' finished
Ia'unt, less hardly than he had begun.
Il don't believe it. but if it were true,
would marry her all the same. [ can
not live without her."
And he means it, cried Madame
Harrington, bitterly, He is his fathers
son. lie threw his life away for a most
unworthy woman; and you-you are
ready to do the same if Your Whim is de-
MED you. You have no pity for mel"
She rose from her chair. Both We're
standing. when knock, which had fal-
len unhceded upon the door, was re-
peated. Launt opened it. and a servant
delivered Il note to Madame Harrington.
From killuth,' she said, glancing
over it. He is at the hotel in the vii
laGe and Will be here to pay his re-
spects in the morning. Go down and
call on him, Launt; he will expect it of
YOU
Launt made a motion of assent
There was something else to be settled
for which he waited.
care you going to oppose me, grand
mother? only wait for your consent,
but with it or without it, L never can,
never will, give up my love-
The old woman sighed, a sigh which
was almost moan. He was asking her
to put aside the pride and preiudices of
a lifetime. and she had no choice.
Have Your own way" she said.
But Launt, be sure of yourself. Be
sure that nothing which can happen
will turn you against her when it is too
late y
Launt felt that his patience had been
sorely tried. He turn against Dana9
When that happened surely the heavens
would fall.