Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-03-27

she was wont to say. They go shut
ting themselves up with their cIaret and
cigars, and are always asking what
they call a fellow or two to spend the
evening; but it is to spend it with them
behind the billiard-room doors. while
we languish in the drawing-room with
novels and fancy work.
Hermann. being of peaceful dispo-
sition, had never quarreled with this
arrangement, and assuredly the friends
who came to those Saturday even: ngs
were not disposed to do so.
Some twelve or fourteen guests were
already assembled when Philip and his
sister arrived. and the dancing had be-
gun. Grace was quickly engaged, and
was soon blissfully lost in the mazes of
a waltz; while Philip stood by the door.
seeing no other lady disengaged, and
feeling, for some reason, averse to
dancing.
Thekla Berghaus came up to him.
looking .'as fresh as morn, as fair as
May" in her clear white dress, blue
ribbons and shining hair.
Miss Berghaus! I thought you were
dancing"
mo, have been settling the elders
and some friends of their own age to a
rubber Besides" added Thekla, mag
unanimously, 81 make it a rule. as the
eldest girl, never to begin dancing the
first thing. I think it is due to my
guests to see them fairly started.''
.'Most laudable But, as every lady
but yourself is dancing already. don t
you think you could give me just the
end of this waltz?'
mo, Mr.. Massey, do not said
Thekla, composedly. as she sat down
and pointed to a chair at her side.
You don't usually condescend, to act
a part, but you are doing so when YOU
ask me to dance with YOU now. You
don t want to dance in the least
t..Ah. my dear Miss Berghaus. don't
you think it would be rather terrible if
every one at dance
.Were to come forward with such
quibbling objections as those 1 have
just raised?' OF coure, it would be
dreadful! But always fancied that to
YOU | could speak more plainly. 1
thought you did not like shams''
Il do not" said Philip, earnestly,
land was only testing when l spoke
so. You have been such good friend
to me, Miss Berghaus, and you are so
'.Oh, nonsense. l like Grace SO
much; and as for being good to her it
is not the right expression; she hardly
How handsome she looks to-night.''
The dance was over. Philip offered
Thekla his arm. and suggested they
should take a turn in the garden.
'.Oh, with pleasure" said she, as
inf ho ha1
..By the way, Mr.. Massey. two friends
of mine are coming tonight with whom
1 want to make Grace acquainted, for
they live next door to you. and they are
oh. there they arel''
She withdrew her hand from his arm.
and went to meet two figures descend
ing the staircase. Philip stood below
in the hall and watched. The figures
were tall and slight. one dark and
one fair. As they came downstairs
and stood speaking to Thehla. the
young man almost rubbed his eyes in
and doubt. Could it
was it-yes. that was most certainly the
bright hair and sweet face of Mabelle
Fairfax, and that other-his eyes flew
quickly toward her-yes, he instantly
recognized the strange and beautiful
face; the pale, creamy-white complex
ion; the long, velvet soft. almond
shaped eyes. with their fringe of curved
lashes; the low, white forehead, with
the dusky hairrippling in natural waves
across it. How beautiful she was. In
stead of moving, he stood rooted in his
place, watching them with a grave,
earnest intentness. They did not ap-
pear to see him: Thekla was talking
rapidly.
so glad you have come. I began
to think you were going TO fail us, and
l should have been SO disappointed. be-
cause Miss Massey is here .nd-'' l
Philip, still looking at the. group of
girls. encountered most distinctly at
this moment slow. seemingly casual
glance from the beautiful eyes before
sp oxen of. Heavens. he thought. what
eyes they were! That look set his heart
beating, and all he was conscious of
was the eager hope that Thekla would
that Grace had brother
and introduce him. Thekla did so at
this moment.
Miss Massey. You know, of whom I
spoke to you; she likes next door to
you. with her brother, and Isl II great
friend of nnine.r Three days ac-
quaintance with a congeniaf spirit suf-
feed to turn any of Thekla's favorites
into great friendly "And 1 want you
to know her. Meanwhile, let me intro
duce her BROTHER
The whole trio turned, and another of
those slow, fascinating regards was be-
slowed upon Philip.
Mr.. Massey, Miss Fairfax, Miss Ma
belle Fairfax. old friends of ours. who
have Just come to live in Irkford."
Philip bowed profoundly, slowly. pro-
longing the salutation in part because
he suddenly felt himself tongue tied.
Mabelle said nothing. but her cheek
dimpled, and there was smile in her
eyes. Miss Fairfax did speak, saying:
Il have seen both Mr.. Massey and
his sister go past our odgings several
times" <
.'Well. let us go and find his sister. y
said Thekla. ..Shall we go into the
room, or-oh, Mrs. Lee!'
She advanced to receive a batch of
fresh arrivals, and Philip found himself
alone with the Misses Fairfax.
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