Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-12-11
CHAPTER XIV.

The day came at last on which Mary's
visit to Little Alrcsford was TO com
mence. Two DAYS later John Gordon
was to arrive at the parsonage, and
Mary's period of being 'sspooned" was
to be commenced according to Mr..
Blake's phraseology. ..No. dear.
don't think need 60 with you." said
MIR. Whittlestaff, when the very day
was there.
"Why not come and call?"
I" don't much care about calling -
said Mr.. Whittlestaf. This was exact
ly the state of mind to which Mary did
not wish to see her friend reduced-tha
OF feeling it to be necessary TO avoid
his fellow creatures.
you think Mr.. Blake Is silly. He
is silly young man, 1 allow bus Mr..
Hall has been very civil. AS am to
60 there for week. you might as well
take me-" As she spoke she put her
arm around him, caressing him.
81 don't care particularly for Mr..
Blake: but I don't think I'll 60 to Lit
tie Aries ord. Mary understood, when
he said this the second time, that the
thing was fixed as fate. He would
not 90 to Little Alresford. Then, in
about quarter of an hour, he began
again: Il think you'll find me gone
when you come back again.
'Gone! where shall you have gomez"
'Tm not quite comfortable here.
Don't look so sad, you dear, dear girl. -
Then he crossed the room and kissed
her tenderly. 81 have nervous, irrita-
BILE feeling which will not let me re-
main quiet. OF course shall come for
your marriage, whenever that may
be fixed"
"Oh, Mr.. Whittlestaff. do not talk in
that way! That will be a year to come,
or perhaps two or three. Do not let it
disturb you in that way, or l shall
swear that 1 will not be married at all.
Why should be married if you are to
be miserable?'
lit has been all settled. my dear.
Mr.. Gordon is to be the lord of all that.
And though you will be supposed to
have fixed the day, it is he that will
really fix it-he, or the circumstances
of his life. When young lady has
promised young gentleman, the mar
riage may be delayed to suit the young
gentleman's convenience. but never TO
suit hers. To tell the truth, it will al
ways be felt convenient that she shall
be married as soon as may be after the
promise has been given. You will see
Mr. Gordon IN day or two. and will
find out then what are his Wishes
''Do you think that l will not consult
your wishes?'
Not in the least, MY dear. /, at
any rate, shall have no wishes-except
what may be best for your welfare. Of
course l must see him, and settle some
matters that will have to be settled.
There will be money matters.
II have no money" said Mary-''not
a shilling! He knows that. - -
Nevertheless there will be money
matters, which you will have the good
ness to leave to me. Are You not my
daughter, Mary, my only child? Don't
trouble yourself about such matters as
these, but do as you're bid. Now it is
time for you to start, and Hayonotes
will be ready to 90 with you.' HAY
ing so spoken, Mr.. Whittlestaff put her
into the carriage, and she was driven
away to Little Arlesford.
1t then wanted week to the Blake
Forester marriage, and the young
clergyman was beginning to mix a lit
tie serious timidity with his usual gar
rulous high spirits. ''Upon my word,
YOU know I'm not at all sure that they
are going to do it right he said, with
much emphasis, to Miss Lawrie. 1.-THE
marriage is to be on Tuesday. She's
to go home on the Saturday. I insist
would make a fellow so ;,wfully nervous
travelling on the same day. But the
other girls-and you're one of them,
I
ter by train on Tuesday morning, under
the charge of John Gordon. If any
thing were to happen to any of you only
think where should / be-"
''Where should we be?' said Miss
Lawrie.
at isn't your marriage, you know.
But l suppose the wedding could 60 on
even if one of you didn't come. 1t
would be such an awful thing not to
have it done when the Dean is COM
ing" But Mary comforted him, assur-
ing him that the Halls were very
punctual in all their comings and GO
ings when any event was in hand.
Then John Gordon came, and, to tell
the truth, Mary was subjected for the
first time to the ceremony of spooning.
When he walked up to the door across
from the Parsonage. Mary Lawrie took
care not to be in the way. She took
herself to her own bedroom, and there
with feverish, pa,pitating
heart, till she was summoned by Miss
Hall. You must come down and bid
him welcome, you know"
81 suppose so; but"
''Of course you must come. Tt must
be sooner or later. He is looking SO
different from what he was when he
was here before. And so he ought,
when one considers all things"
'.He has not got another journey be-
fore him to South Africa"
without having got what he came
for" said Miss Hall. Then when they
went down, Mary was told that John
Gordon had passed through the house
into the shrubbery, and was invited to
follow him. Mary, declaring that she
would go alone. took up her hat and
boldly went after him. As she passed
on, across the lawn. she saw his figure
among the trees. 81
don't think it very civil for young
lady's young man to vanish in that
way" said Miss Hall. But Mary bold
ly and quickly followed him, without
word.
MARY" he said, turning round upon
her as soon as they were both out of
sight among the trees, '.Mary, you
have come at last"
"Yes, l have come"
"And yet, when first showed N.Y.
self at your house you would hardly re-
ceive me- But this he said hold NO
her by the hand and looking into her
face with his brightest smile. II had