The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1886-02-04
while a sudden shade Of gravity
fitted across her face.

"I-tbiok---so," she murmured
"Bnt, my darling Iris, you must
be sure of It."
"He is 80 very pleasant, Northy,
pleaded Iris. "So stately and
cbivalrons--one feels that one can
look up to him. My husband,
Northy, must be my master aud
superior in all respects"
"well, DEAR" sighed Mrs. North,
Il only hope You WON'T live to re-
pent il. Is that your engagement
ring ?"
With laugh aud q blush, Iris
beld up her pretty left hand on the
fore-fnger Of which sparkled clus-
ter Of lew-bright diamonds.
"lsn't it exquisite, Northy. His
grand mother was presented at
court, wearing these very diamonds
in clasp at her throat. I do so
delight in beirlooms. And my
grandmother was only country
lawyers wife. with q little sigh.)
THE Dalos are ss good family
ss any in America said Mis-. North
with spirit.
Nov you are jealous, Northy,r
laughed Iris. "You are somehow
prejudicsd against Mr.. Fortescue
But you will learn to like and es-
TEEN him as much as I do--in time.
1T will bea long time then,
thought Mrs. North. HE is q deaj
too plausible and soft spoken to
suit my plain IDEAS
But she said nothing. I. seemed
almost cruel to dampen Iris bright
anticipations by any hint of doubt.
Trouble comes soon enough iu
this wo:ld without our going ball
way to meet it," thought good Mrs
North.
Iris Dale was an orphan-but she
had lost her parents when she wa,
too young to ieel the sting Of tie
bei eavment. She was rich and
beautiful, aud moreover, hers wa,
one Of those joyous natures which
attract sunshine everywhere. Up to
the preseLt tune she had exuIIed in
declaring herself love-proof-bu,
sue had surrendered at lastte~ the
little god with the bow aud arrow,
and to the inimitable graces of Mr.
Fortescue, BennettF ortescue.
Miss Iris, an ye Elaze," spoke
out the shrill voice Of Irish Nora
there's al ould man down her.
wants to shpake wild you. Aud I'm
thinkin' it's the clock -mender."
"Very we'll" said Iris, Indifferent
ly. "Give him the kitchen clock
and the clock in Mrs. North's room
Nora"
"But lie wants to shpake vic
yourself. ma am."
"How very persistent Of him,
said Iris, momentarily annoyed. bu,
she went down stairs nevertheless
1t was not in her gracious nature t.
slight the poor or the old.
A respectable little old man, in 9
much worn and mended gray sui
and thin white locks. stool " IL,
: diningroom fire, warming his chilled
hands, which were insnfi;ciently pro
! tected by a pair OF blue yarn init
tens. His dim blue eyes had no
, yet lost their keenness, and his fac
was traversed by q multitude OF flu,
wrinkles. All these things Iri
. comprehended in one glance, as sh
kindly bowed to the old man.
"is it Miss Dale 7" he said-au,
Iris could see that he trembled lik
, q leaf.
81 am Miss Dale" che smiled
"Come nearer to the fre-you ar
chilled through. Nora, bring thi
D man cup OF hot coffee. You ar
the clock mender, suppose I"
Il "Yes, ma'am," he made auswe,
d submissively. 81 am the clock
nender. Would it please you 70
d me to mend them here, or tax
q them home to my lodgings 7"
y "As you please said Iris, care
J. lessly.
"Some ladies, ma am. would oil
)" ject to me carrying choice Frenc
r. clocks away" he added, uneasil
70 fumLling with the top button Of b
10 waistcoat.
'f "Oh, don't doubt your homes,
10 the least" said Iris, kindly.
ID You're right there, ms'am,'
responded with earnestness. ave-