Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-01-21

pened to call that very afternoon, and
was diligently chatting with me when
Reede and Lottie returned They expa-
tiated 80 much on the sleighing that Mr..
Marsden invited me to try 1t with him
the next day, and ! graciously accepted
his invitation, to the apparent amuse-
ment of Charlotte.
Reede had taken up his abode in the
hotel opposite. He drove US on many
rides. he took Us TO the country amuse-
ments. he sauntered in at all hours Of
the day and evening. A great deal OF
the time / was busy with some house
hold duties, and many other times / left
to Charlotte the pleasure Of entertaining
or being entertained by him.
A fortnight he had been with us. Char
lotte began to ask me to 60 home with
her, but / did not wish to 60. Since my
last term in city school, / had felt that
if were not to live in town, ! must not
allow myself to be so attracted by its
gayeties, its concerts, its paintings, Its
innumerable beauties.
At last, after many declarations, she
asserted. if / would not return with her,
she would go in a week. l trusted
something would detain her.
1t was clear, moonlight night, with
cold. still air lying over snowy roads
and fields. Sleigh after sleigh dashed
| merrily away on the road to the neigh
boring town. where one of the wealthy
gentlemen was to give party in honor
of his entrance to his new house. A
stamping of feet on the doorstep, and a
| moment later Reede entered with "a
| diant face and eager eyes. l was alone
| in the sitting-room.
What! Are you not ready?' he ex-
claimed ..All the rest have gone.
| Where is Lottie?''
] felt unaccountably nervous.
She has a severe cold and is in her
| room. She is very much disappointed
that she can not go. !"
lis her illness serious?' he asked
''Oh, no, / think not" l said and re-
| sumed the seat from which l had risen.
| 1T is late, now; why don you put on
your cloak?' he asked.
But ! thought ] would not 90, as
Lottie could not be one of the party"
| said.
But have thought of it all day. /
insist upon your going; you must 60. "
He bent down with one hand on the
arm of my chair, his impetuous spirit
! shining in his eyes and penetrating to
nv heart.
Why was l so interested in him? The
tone in which he said: Il have thought
| Of ii all day." thrilled through me, his
| eyes melted my resolution not TO 60.
| Come
He took my hand and raised me from
my chair. ] went and donned wraps and
| furs.
When we were fairly on our way, he
hot
| sistible glance of his:
And you were intending to disap-
! point me? But now / viii take care of
you tonight: have you; you are in my
| power"
1t was an instant before / could trust
| myself to answer words spoken in such
| a voice as that l wondered if he had
ever spoken like that TO Charlotte-to
any one. That thought gave me a reply
| in indifferent tones:
Then be lenient, be generous to your
! prisoner
.'Or she may repent having placed
| herself in my hands" he interrupted
! Were you not going TO say that?'
You have said that l replied
There is no need of my repeating it -
But YOU viii not repent, you will
trust me ight-Margaret
That name in such manner was a
| caress. His face was absolutely lumin-
| Gus. | dared not look al it. He
! seemed yielding 10 some powerful i'm
| pulse. now that for the first time he saw
| me unrestrained by another's presence.
| a thought of Charlotte came coldly
across me; then | remembered certain
| things she had said that had given me
| the idea that Reede Staniels was one of
! that detestable species. a male tlIrt.
| recalled that suave distance of manner
| which ] generally employed with him.
1 It seemed to freeze him instantly. He
| became deferential and polite, and al
| most silent.
| a light, tilmy haze was spreading over
| the sky; If softened the moonlight and
| obscured the stars.
| Is this the turn. M. Staniels?" ]
| asked, as he took the right of four cor
| ners.
Yes. this leads to r. doesn't it,
That sleigh ahead is one OF our party,
| believe
Then we are right. / said. I'm
not familiar with this locality at all. =
And vou must not be lost with me,
! he said in such ICY tones that / repented
my GOODNESS; but it appeared the only
safe way for me.
The swift going horse sped like the
wind over the road: ii was a lonely,
winding way. over the hills and into
valleys. The maze thictzened over the
! sky, flakes Of snow fell softly on my
! face. and fecl1ed with white the furry
robe round me 1t was deceitful
storm. for il came gently at first, Turing
| Us on, for we thought II would not storm
much.
We rode on, turning corners by guess
| now. for / became convinced that we
! had lost our way. and there were nc
| houses where we could inquire The
snow came thicker. clogging the horse
feet and impeding his speed. We could
not see anything before or around US
but the silent fall of wilderness. At last
the horse dropped into a slow, toilsome
walk up hill. The reins hung loose IN
Reede's hand.
Truly. did not mean to get lost, y
he said, in an apologize tone
No, had not thought you did,
replied
He put his disengaged arm round me,
| drawing me closer, and STOPPING his
| face nearer mine
And truly, l am not sorry. he said.
DO not require me to feel sorrow Tor
ANYTHING that gives me your presence
| without chance Of interruption.
/ laughed
You need not fear intrusion here,
certainly" said. -,
| DO not torment me" he cried, with
sudden and overpowering impetuosity.
Il viii not bear it. You have been re-
perlant to me to a degree that would