The Dawson journal., 1883-08-02
THE IRON ROOM.

Directly the large country house began
to lose its guests, the hostess, Mrs. Hope,
had time to look about her, and one of the
first inconvenient things she saw was the
very evident love affair between handsome
Jack Talbot, of the til, who had nothing
in the world but his Captains pay, and her
only daughter Lillian. whose first duty to
her parents lay in making an eligible
match! This would never do. But the
worldly-wise lady reflected that Capt
Talbots visit was only to last three days
longer, and with true art appeared blissful-
ly content with the position. The night
before he went away, the suitor applied to
Mr.. Hope, and begged to have his prayer
favorably answered; and he (haVing receiv-
his brief from his wife) temporized gently;
spoke of youth, changeable affections, and
SO on, and said he could not at present give
definite answer
Mag hope2" asked the sutton. ''lf
you Hike" said the father; and nothing
could have ended better. Lillian waved
damp pocket-handkerchief from the win
dow and the knight rode 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. If not, time
was gained at any rate, and Lillian was
| GROWING bandsomer every daV
''My DEAR" said Mr. Hope one eve
ming. Lord Blackmoor is evidently
struck with Lillian"
80 l see," responded the wife Smiling
complacently.
81 shouldn't be surprised if he spoke
shortly"
80 much the better"
'But, ah-how about the other fellow"
quericd Mr.. Hope, uneasily.
Nothing about him." said Mrs Hope
resolutely; "he must not be mentioned,
Lord Blackmoor is very old"
ale will make the better husband"
Gillian is a beautiful, hearted
| Shh t0AdSA W Viz 1oSLSis
Had she not been beautiful a coronet
would not be. offered her."
"But Harrat, you'and were both young
when we were married."
Mrs. Hope calmly fixed her fine eyes
on the ceiling and her husband saw senti-
ment would find no response
And so, while Jack was bronzinq his
handsome face and fighting for his country
in Egypt, his Lillian was desired to receive
the address of an elaborate old fop of sew
enty-five and she only eighteen. Bu
these things happens go we must c0litem
plate them. Between her mother and
Lord Blackmoor it was arranged that the
wedding should take place in Decembe
and in the meantime rumor came that Cap.
tain Talbot was killed.
The Hopes return took place the end O
November, and the bridegroom-elec was
to come there in December. He arrived
and to the girl, seemed more distastef u
than ever. He followed her about with al
affection of youthful ardor, which sorely
warred with geut aud dyspepsia.
Mamma, said the frenzied Lillian
eff you don't keep him away from menow
I'll say mo- at the altar" Aud fearing that
this was true, Mrs. Hope rejoiced in al
attack of govt which confined the ole
nobleman to his room, where she treated
him with fiattery and devotion.
So then the poor girl wandered down tc
the boat house. 1t was half mile from
the house, and there was snugly furnished
iron room there, where tea thingsrud spiri
lamps were kept. Lillian had, often made tea
here in the happy summer; and now she
entered the room, which struck cold and
damp from long disuse, and throwing her.
self in chair, sobbed as if her heart were
brea ing.
! 4 footstep outside made Lillian start II,
quickly. 1t was the postman on his way
to the house.
"Have you shy letters for me?" asked
the girl.
Eyes, miss, surely" said the man; and
he found three, handed them to her and
passed on.
Lillian re-entered the iron room, sank OF
a sofa, and with trembling hands tore oper
one-it was from jack. AS she read it sht
found that other letters had been sent t.
her-wlro had them? Jack was in London
sad he was fast recovering from hi,
wounds and that he had determined tc
come down and hear from her own lips
that she gave him up. And concluded by
saying he wonld be at the boat house by
O'Clock the next evening-would she meet
him there?'
The next evening meant this evening
for the letter had been written the day
before.
Lillians delight at this unexpected news
was paramount. She fastened back to the
house, determining that nothing should re-
veal the change. She inquired civilly after
Lord Blackmoor, had five dresses tried on
by dress maker, drove with her mother
to pay some calls; and when they returned
"A 4