Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-04-16

ing? 1t might be a message, though
She broke off in her song, and went her.
self to see.
''Can see Farmer Blackthorn, missP'
asked the lad.
Farmer Blackthorn was about, and
was soon found. The lad pulled his
cap as if to Squire, for Tom Black.
thorn had many popular memories
about him, since the days when he had
tried to live like one.
There's gentleman of the name Of
Harlow here?' asked the hostler.
'Patience's heart gave throb. cay"
said her father, what of him?'
''Only that he was at our house night
afore last, and when he went in the
morning left these here things behind
The master thought I'd best bring en-
over, as they might be of valley. Here
they be-"
ssStephen at the Half Moon! Non.
sense said Farmer Blackthorn, ''But
that's his pocket-book. sure enough
eh, Patience? You ought to know. Ay
: and here's letters in it, Mr.. S. Har
low. That's mighty queer. What
should he be sleeping for at the Hall
| Moon instead of homer"
That's more than / know of, YOU
honor. He took a bed, and next morn.
ing he was off afoot, and that's all
know. Shall leave the things or take
'em away?'
No. Leave 'em. He'll be here by
and by. Go and get some ale; anC
! here's something for your ride" Farm
er Blackthorn's pocket held just shil-
| ling, and it went at once into the host
ler's palm. And it was unlucky for the
hostler that the pocket had not hello
two. Patience" said he, when the
lad had gone into the kitchen for hi
ale, ''this is queer. Stephen putting w
at house like the Half Moon, within .
stones throw, two nights ago. Do yor
know what it means?"
NO" said she. Business, I sup
pose
But Farmer Blackthorn knew what
business too often means only toe
well. He had been young, and he
was Dicks father. business be
| hanged Do YOU mean to say you We
| heard nothing of him all this while?"
.sNo, father But
s. But be hanged, too. I like to I'm
derstand everything; and L will. A low.
er's quarrei-eh?"
Father! Quarrel with Stephen-IH'
.'And gone off afoot. and never come
home. Holloa-what's this?" he asked
examining the pocket-book, from which
a half-open letter tiuttercd to the
ground. Yes; must read it; l will
\ precious thing-to let a thing like
! that stand betwiNt my only girl and :
| man. if he We're Prince of Wales. NV
| darling-I will meet you at Youl
own loving Kate A lovc-lcttar, and i
hot one, too. All. Master Stephen-PI
look bit further before I've done"
.-Eor shame, father!' cried she,
GIVE me the book-the letter. 1t is
his; not ours"
Not ours? Then whose is it, if you
please? No; l will not give you the
letter. It's mine. Nobody's but mine
mine and viper's, Patience; viper
like the one that stung the man thai
| warmed him, in the tale. And that's
the man l thought better than Dick
| poor lad-nO; not poor lad, Patience
never let me hear you name Dick again
But Dick, hang him, never made love
to one girl while he carried another's
letter next his heart, that I'll swear
That comes of thinking the son of 6
| drunken blacksmith could change his
spots-Ill never think so second time
! as sure as my names Tom Blackthorn
Never you mind, my lass. l never die
think him fit for you. Put him out OF
your mind. As for his money-who
wants his money? And as for him
there; thank the chance that's found
him out. Never you worry about 8
blackguard, my lass. I've got stick
that'll fit his back to a t, and I'll &C
| over to Marrish for another loan"
With that other letter burning in he1
pochet-where was the trust now!
Why. in her heart of hearts-where else
should it be
''He will come father, he aUil
come" was all she could cry.
But the days passed, and the weeks,
and Stephen Harlow never came home.