Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-04-01
PART III.
PART III.
zpIsTNAS AGAIN AT wARLEYCOMBE.

Another year has gone by, and 1t is
Christmas again at Warleycombe. Inc
curtain has dropped upon the tragedy.
or. as some will have it, the comedy OF
thousands of human lives, and myriad
homes and fears have eliminated and
been ingulfed in the mystery when
surrounds humanity. Life-sorrows have
been Quoted, and ambitions set at rest
since Father Christmas last smiled upon
the pretty Devon lane, and few old
faces that graced Warleycombe Lodge
for MANY successive Christmasses,
beaming kindly on the younger ones,
are missing this year from Reuben Har-
rild's hospitable roof Laura moves
among her fathers guests with the
uuiet grace of old She has been smlt-
ten with a great grief, which may
shadow all her future years; but she
performs her worldly duties with ten
der resign alton. She dwells with sor-
sow upon the memory of her lover, and
yearns to take him to her heart again;
| for nature like Laura's loves once,
! and loves forever.
| Laura was standing in the curtained
recess where she and William sat last
| wear. Her thoughts were dwelling
SADLY on that time; and as she looked
out upon the unchanged scene, sorrow
full tears were IN her eyes. Her father,
| who had been silently observing her,
| moved to her side, and passing his arms
around her, begged her not to grieye
Il try not to, father" she SAID, lay
inc her head on her fathers breast and
sobbing quietly. but l can't help
feeling unhappy at the difference be-
tween this Christmas and the last.
81 wish.'' muttered Reuben Harrild.
..that William Fairfield had been at the
bottom of the Red Sea before he had
ever thought Of coming to Marley
comber
"Do not lay all the blame upon
| William" said Laura; sit was chiefly
my fault.
Your fault that this man deceived
your w
"What if deceived him first? VIVA
if I had a secret which he should have
shared. and which 1 withheld iron
him? Yes" she continued. quickly
stopping the remark that Reuben Har
rid was about to make, 81 must tel
Won all, You must unseal my lips
father. Ii not out of love for me, IN Tn
cause of truth and justice, you must lie
; me speak freely. without reserve.
go on, Laura he said, gravely
Il think 1 may trust you"
You will listen to me patiently
will YOU notP" she asked sweetly. 8
want to remind you of this time las
wear, when I came to you IN you
e study. You would not let me spea
= then, but I am holder now, and kno'
am doing right. Father, came
that time to ask your forgiveness fe
:. | ARTHUR
is ssLaurai' he rose hastily to his Zee
d but Laura caught his hand, and presse
n it to her lips. DR.. BaX, passing at ii
Is moment, swiftly drew the curtains
q that they were shut from observatlo
n Arthur was out in the CO
,e the whole night, father" Laul
continued. William and 1 we
ii standing where we are standing no,
or and 1 saw Arthur's shadow on tt
"a snow"
"a ..But William did not know?" que
1a toned Reuben Harrild, with hot far
IN on his face.
e. mo, William did not know; that
IT. the cause of my unhappiness. Villa
an saw Arthur's shadow, and wanted
ar. 90 out to it; but I begged him to
no main, fearing discovery might
as made that would distress you; and,
ed though William noticed my agitatic
ed dared not explain the cause, for y
as had enjoined silence upon me.
30 tbur had come to wish me goodbye;
nd was going to the colonies the next d
70 Tt almost broke my heart to part W
,rs him. and begged him to see me OF
~ more at midnight. / hoped that
ad might prevail upon you to forgive hi
~ and T came to your study to plead
IN. him; but you would not listen to