Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-27
CHAPTER XU-CoSTTNv


gloomy mood at sight of his daughters
sorrow, and made several attempts at
asking with the object of raising her
spirits again, in which he seemed to
succeed admirably. for by the time they
arose from tie table she was even gayer
than usual
On the morrow, when the parting
came, she broke down and cried as if
her heart would break: but then Jen-
ME cried great deal also, as did Mrs.
Parsons and Johnny. Even Mr. Par
sons felt the tears stealing down his
cheeks. and wiped them away with the
back of his hand.
Erastus drove them to the landing
and parted with them there.
The ride had been an unusually silent
one, all of them seemed absorbed in
thought. He would kiss them both At
parting. Erastus had been saving to
himself; may be the last kiss he should
ever give Lucy. Anuelsey, he felt GER
tain, would follow her to the city, and
perhaps when she came back she would
be engaged to him. She might even be
married before she came back, and so
save him the pain of being present at
her wedding. for he believed she knew
of his love for her. and that he knowl-
edge had caused her to feel embar-
rassed IN the presence of his rival and
himself.
But now she would not object to his
kissing her, as he had ALWAYS done
when she was going to leave them for
any great length of time, and he would
hold her close to his heart for a mo-
ment, if never again. But when they
reached the landing the boat was on the
point of swinging off. and there was no
time even to shake hands, but only to
hurry on board and wave their good
byes while the gang-plank was being
raised and the boat was swinging round
into the current
Erastus stood upon the shore and
watched them until they were lost to
sight amidst the hundred other passen-
gers. and then turned away with feel
ing at his heart that all of happiness
had gone out of his life forever.
As the girls were leaving the Office
OF the steamer, where they had gone
Immediately to secure their state-rooms,
a gentleman among the passengers
raised his hat in salutation
Il WONDER he said, ..if can be of
any service that viii in part repay your
family for the kindness shown in keep
ing three gentlemen over night one
time last spring."
why, Mir. Ensign. Is it you? I
supposed you had forgotten all about
see Us" said Jennie, feeling that any
one whom they had ever met before was
a friend where everybody else was
strange Have you been at the mines
all the time? Mr.. Annelsey said he
didn't know what had become of YOU"
80 Mr. Annelsey has improved his
chance introduction TO the Parsons
family" was Ensign's mental COM
ment- ''We1. / can't say l blame him.
May be l would have done it myself if 1
had had the leisure lie has had
Then aloud:
'.Mr- Annelsey has not felt any
especial interest in my whereabouts, l
suppose. l have been at Gravel Hill
ever since | was at your father cot
tage, and if have not called. It is owing,
perhaps, to my not having so much
leisure tine on my hands as Mr.. An
Messy has had.
Besides. he added, looking straight
at Jennie, Il had no reason to hope
that / should be made welcome if |
were to come as a friend instead of a
weary traveller craving a nights lodg-
ing"
Jennie could find no words in which
to reply to this, and Lucy had not
spoken at all, except barely to show
that she recognized Mr.. Ensign as one
whom she had met before. As they
were turning away to seek their state
room Ensign interposed.
AT least" he said, s.now that we
have met by accident, let us become
better acquainted. / am going to San
Francisco TO run an engine in one of
the mills there; YOU, l suppose. are re-
turning to school. May 1 not join you
when you come upon deck again? Per-
haps | can be of some service to YOU
upon our arrival at the city"
% You may help US get our luggage
carried up when We get there, if you
will" replied Jennie, :. and we will be
much obliged to you; and we are COM
ing up on deck pretty soon, amt we
Lucy? And you can tell Us all about
things at the mine"
They appear to be greatly inter-
ested in things at the mine" muttered
Ensign, as he turned away; wonder
if that fellow Annelsey has really been
making love 10 one of them-and which
one. / believe l should not like it if it
should prove to be Jennie he is court
ing"
After arranging their toilets the young
ladies came upon deck. Lucy was
tempted to remain in their state-room
and would have done SO only that she
fancied that Jennie was willing to get
better acquainted with Mr. Ensign.
That gentleman was waiting for their
appearance and joined them the mo-
ment they came up the gangway. and
was SO jolly and full of the incidents of
his life at the mines that even Lucy.
half forgetting her troubles. laughed at
his witticisms and finally joined in
them.
And so the day which they had
thought would be a lonely one was
made very pleasant indeed, and when
they arrived Just before dark at the city
docks, Ensign arranged for having their
luggage sent up and then walked with
them to their rooms, where he babe
them goodnight after having obtained
permission to call at some future time.
Isn't he splendid fellow?" said
Jennie that night when they were talk
ing over the adventures of the day in
their own room.
II am glad if you like him. replied
Lucy.
..Why SOP
Because I think he is in love with
Sou. l saw it in his eyes when he sat
watching you on the boat"
Nonsense, you little goosey. Most
likely he has sweetheart already"
But Jennie blusked as she said it. and