The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-02-10
THE CLoCk-MESDER


"0h, dear. | am afraid that that i'm
plies q great deal !
She looked intently at herself re-
fected IN the glass. Was this the
free villa Iris Dale who but yester-
day would have laughed all re-
straints to scorn-the girl who had
! loudly proclaimed her determine
ten to preserve her independence to
the last?
My dear, said old Mrs. North,
Il am afraid you have made a mis-
take.
"rm afraid so too, Northy. said
Iris, pursing up her beautiful Red
lips into the slmilitude of a ripe
cherry. But what is a poor girl to
do? Every one else gets married
why shouldn't | ?"
There Is no disgrace in being an
old maid, Iris"
No disgrace, but a great deal of
inconvenience, dear Northy,' sighed
the girI"
But who is he, anyway p asked
Mrs. North, raising her specialized
eyes to the face OF the pretty young
relative whose guardian, chaperon.
and companion she was.
That's a strange question to ask, y
said Iris, laughing Hes Mr. For
tescue Bennet Fortescue, TO be sure,
who might wear title il he chose
to assume the responsibility Of the
ruined estates in Tyrone" "
That is-he says so, remarked
Mrs. North.
He says so-and it is the truth, +"
Iris retorted. with spirit, He is a
banker In New York, with no rela-
tives iiving-so you see | shall be
spared the indigaity Of a motheI-in-
law, with light laugh.
Don't jest Iris"
"I'm not going to, Northy-in-
( deed. I'm quite convinced that ii is
no laughing matter.
Do YOU love him ?''
The girl hung down her head.
while a sudden shade of gravity
( fitted across her face.
I-think-so," she murmured.
"But my darling Iris, you must
I be sure oft.
"He if so very pleasant, Norihy,"
pleaded Iris. So stately and chiv-
lalrous-oue feels that one can lonk
up to him. Ny husband, Northy,
must be nv master and superior IN
all respect" "
We'll. dear sighed Mrs. North,
i"I only hope you won't live TO re-
pent IT. Is that your engagement
ring?"
/ With laugh and a blush, Iris
held up her pretty left band on the
forefiuger of which sparkle a clus-
ter OF dew-bright diamonds.
isn't it exquisite, Northy. His
grand mother was presented at
court. wearing these very diamonds
| in a clasp at her throat ] d. so de
| light in heirlooms. And my grand
mother was only country lawyers
wife. With a little sigh
The Dales are as good q family
3s any in America, said Mrs Moth
with spifit
! Now you are jealous, Nor by "
laughed Iris. You are somew nat
preludiced against Mr.. Forteseue.
But YOU will learn 70 ike and es-
.eem him as much as do-in time "
cit will be a long time then. "
thought Mrs. North. He is a deal
too plausible and Oft spoken to suit
ny plain ideas"
But she said nothing. II seemed
almost cruel to dainpen Iris bright
lanticipations by any hint Of doubt.
Trouble comes soon enough In
this world without our going halt
way to meet it" thought good Mrs..
North
IRIS Dale was ais orphan-hut she
had lost her parents when she was
TOO Young to feel the sting of the be-
reavement. She was rich and beau
tiful, and moreover, hers was one OF
those Joyous natures which attract
sunshine everywhere Up to the
present time she had exulied in de-
claring herself love-proof--but she
had surrendered at last to the little
god with the bow and arrows and TO
the iniu table craces of Mr.. Fortes-
cue Bepnett Fortescue.
"Mi.s Iris, an We llaze, spoke
out the shrill voice of Irish Nora,
there's an ould man down here
wants to sphake wild you. And I'm
thipkin' its the ciock-mender."
Very well, " said Iris, indifferent
ily. Give him the kitchen clock
and the clock in Mrs. North's roum,
Nora"
But he wants to shpake wild
yourself, maam."
"How very persistent of him,
said Iris, momentnrily annoyed. but
she went down stairs nevertheless.
1t was not in her gracious nature to
slight the poor or the old.
A respectable little old man, IN a
much worn and mebded gray suit
and thin white locks, stood by the
dining-room fire. warming his chilli
Ell hands. which were insutfciently
protected by pair of blue yarn NIT
tens. His dim blue eyes had not
vet lest their keenness, and his face
was traver-ed by a multitude OF tine
wrinkles. All these things Iris COM
pretended in one glance, as she
kindly bowed TO the old man.
Is it Miss Dale? 2" he ssid-and
Iris could see that he trembled like
a leaf
Il am Miss Dale she smiled.
Come nearerto the fire7you are
chilled through. Nora, bring this
man a cup Of hot coffee. You are
The cluck-rnendet, | suppose?"