Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-08-30

was not visible at the present moment.
She had hint that she was not wanted
this bright January afternoon, though
the mistress of the mansion expected a
vlsitor,w who was ushered in promptly as
the clock struck two.
| He had been there twice before since
she had come into possession. and Lex
was actually blushing Us she went for
ward to meet him.
lyon have the. virtue of promptness
at any rate, Mr.. Marquis: and | ALWAYS
thought you artists We're the most unre-
liable class going.''
Il came directly from the station
! here There was a gravity in his face,
| an abstraction in his manner, which
augured i'll for Lexis hopes. She was
not so much to blame for having enter
tanned them. When Mr. Marquis paid
| her his first visit he had an excuse
That portrait of Mr.. Oliphant had never
| been finished, and he wanted photo
graph to assist his memory in the small
er details. The portrait was not fin
| ished yet, and the artist had come again
without even pleading it as pretext.
Now, what was any young lady with a
| fair share of natural vanity to suppose,
| if not that her attractions were the
magnet which attracted his wandering
| fancy?
g 1 came" he continued, .'impelled by
what l fear is a forlOrn hope. / hardly
need to ask, now that have seen You,
| ifyou have had any word from-Dana?'
He made a little pause before utter
| ing the name. 1t was the first time that
he had mentioned it except incidental
ly. He had listened in evident sympa-
thy while Lex bemoaned her cousin s
strange action-for Lex was loyal
through all.
"Nonc," she answered, with a sigh.
"What has become of Quest?n
"That is more than l know-more
than care to know" and Lexis eyes
snapped with indignant fire. ..He
tried 20 levy blackmail of me, and when
he failed spread the whole, miserable
story which would never have gone into
the papers but for that. 1t was too
bad don't pity Rose so much,
BUS it was different with Dana. She
h&an't done anything wrong, and I'd
give anything to find her. They took
me in when was poor and friendless,
and it is absolutely unklnd of Dana to
hide away, as if l wouldn't be as gener-
Gus, now that it has come my turn. l
You know that advertised. and what
makes me angry is that l haven't
doubt but she has seen the advertise
ment a dozen times, and is too stiff
necked and proud to answer it"
g 1t was terrible blow to her." said
Gordon, gravely. 'Mr. ELEPHANTS
death and her mothers flight alone
were enough to crush her, and when
IL
Quests revelations and Farrington's
conduct, what wonder that she should
feel like hiding her head from all the
world. He has not been heard from, l
suppose?'
The bitterness with which he asked it
was like revelation to Lex. She an
swered the question with negative
shake of the head; for one moment,
trust her voice in words. Then
Il dare say we could find Dana readily
enough if we were to put detective on
afraid to do it-afraid, lest she might be
with her mother What would they do
with her if they should find her?"
A sudden gloom overshadowed his
countenance.
4 don't think that consideration need
trouble you. Miss BraNton, | know l
can trust you. If Dana We're with her
mother | would not be here. 1t is be-
cause | know where Mrs. Ol!phant is
and that | fear she has not much longer
to live that | am most anxious to find
her daughter | have an idea that
would never do to let Quest into the
r IL do
tective for the same reason. / could
find him by going to Riverton. to those
trustees. perhaps, but if take that step.
Miss BraXton, l must rely upon your
misleading him as to my object. He
must think that you are the one urging
me to search for Dana
.sHe shall think it." said Lex, brave
" enough. Il commission YOU to find
her and bring her to me. Mr.. Mar
quis,'' with an involuntary lowering of
her voice, Iii there is money needed.
as / suppose there must be, insist up
mean. Sick? Has she doctor?
''She has every necessary care"
s.Mr. Marquis" Lexis voice dropped
still lower; '.was it true9 Did she COM
NIT n murder and let her husband bear
the Dlitile. l. never cOlllu nave Dt-
lieved Aunt Rose wicked enough for
that. Has she told YOU about it?''
.'She has told me nothing. l doubt
if there is much to tell, notwithstand-
ing the reports which have gone abroad.
Whatever her faults may have been. /
am far from believing that she was ever
willfully wicked
He went away soon after that, and
Lex walked over to apostrophize her
full-length reflection in one of the
massive mirrors.
IF ever / saw fool in my life I see
one now. Don't YOU feel little
ashamed of yourself. my dear? Thought
he was in love with you, did YOU? 1t don't
appear to me you're very good sub
icct to inspire the tender passion. Even
Quest couldn't get up the scmblance
of it. much as he wanted your money.
Dana is more to himh-not meaning
Quest now-''than y0u ever will be to
any man, and you may as well make up
mind IN If Rroxtcp If Won