Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-03-20
CHAPTER ".
MABELLE IN THE RAIN.

MABELIE IN THE RAIN.
On Monday morning Philip and his
sister sat at breakfast. Grace was in
high spirits, delighted with Tnekla and
Emile Berghaus--with the whole Ber-
ghaus family, indeed, and certain that
she would be very happy in Irkford.
Il am sure | hope you WILL" said
Philip, absently. for in truth he was
thinking of other things, of his inter-
view with Mr.. Starkie the day before,
and how, on his reporting all the efforts
he had made to learn something def
mite about BY we'll, and how they had re-
suited in nothing but vague rumors that
he was very clever fellow, but some
said .swild,'' others said crash" and
yet another said he was the best fellow
in the world, and no mans enemy but
his own: his chief had thanked him for
his eXcrtions, and expressed himself
perfectly satisfied, but had appeared at
the same time as if not quite at ease in
his own mind on the subject.
Philip had lunched at Mr.. Starkie' S
with him and his family (the first time
| he had en- joyed that honor), and had re-
turned home to find Grace dressed in her
very best drawing on a pair of lemon
colored kid gloves, and dying with i'm
patience to Set Oft to Carlton Grove,
Mr.. Berghaus' house. Thekla, Emile
and Hermann had called that morning
on their way from church, and she was
delighted with them.
Il suppose You will be going direct
! w." she added, on this Monday morn
ING. as she rose from the table and went
! to the window. do YOU 90 to town on
the top of one of those rafting omni-
buses? How funny
"Yes, l must be off now,' he an
swered, also rising.
s'Oh,' continued Grace. still looking
| out. there is that sweet-looking girl
whom L noticed Yesterday morning
when 1 was sitting at the window here,
pining to 90 to church. She came from
the next house with her sister, | sup
pose. The sister is really quite beauti-
| full, though I don't like her face, but the
little one looks both pretty and good.
Look at her, Phil. Do you know who
they are?'
Philip looked over her shoulder and
saw the girl of whom he had said to
Hermann Berghaus: THAT is a school
girl the younger of the two ladies
who had arrived in a cab on Friday
evening. She was a tall, slight. upright
looking girl. apparently about fifteen or
sixteen years old.
Philip took stock Of her with an in
| terest for which he could hardly at
count, thinking of her all the time less
as an individual than as the sister of
that other girl. She was fair, with a
bright, handsome, open face; bright
hair, bright eyes; everything about her
was bright. and there was, besides, an
indescribably sweet and good expression
in both eyes and mouth. She was
| dressed in, soft, gray stuff, with I; little
black fichu about her shoulders, and a
small, compact, black straw hat crown
ing her shining locks. She carried sew.
eral books fastened together with a
strap, and she was already equipped,
gloved, finished, ready in every re-
spect, as she stepped forth from the
house and took her way down the
street. There was something superior
and refined about her appearance
| nothing slovenly. All was compact,
neat and well arranged.
'Where can she be going at this
hour:?" asked Grace, following with
her eyes the 1.-THE, graceful figure of
the girl.
probably to school," said Philip, in
toUe VI luuiucTeuCc. b.
''School-oh, very likely. There is a
great big girls school near here, isn't
there?"
''Yes, in Carlton Road. close by. Lots
of girls go-hundreds. Ones always
seeing them up and down.
But who is that girl? Do you
know?''
Il don't. saw two young ladies ar
rive in a cab the other night. That's
all know about them. They lodge
there, suppose"
every likely. Well-oh, here is your
omnibus. isn'tit? Goodbye"
In another minute Philip had been
carried out of sight by the omnibus,
and Grace was left to find her way to
the scene of her studies. the Women's
College, the classes of which she had
prevailed upon a fond father and ten
der mother to allow her to attend.
Philip. from the top of the omnibus,
soon caught sight again of the figure
of the schoolgirl, as he supposed her to
be. Yes; she was just turning down
the side street which led to the Girls
High School. and he had been right in
his conjecture.
II wonder who on earth they can
be?" he oeculated. Then an acquaint-
ance sitting next to him began to speak
of other things, and Philips specula-
tons ceased.
Some days passed The month of
May gradually advanced, and the holt
day hours of Whitsuntide seemed for
gotten in the roar and hustle of renewed
work and business.
Grace assured her brother again and
again how very happy she was, and
Philip found her pleasant compan; on.
The Yorkshire girl was full of life and
spirit, and bright example of the
boasted intelligence of her native coun-
try; having an ample fund of shrewd-
ness and common S.rnsa-a tslOnU Eeadss