Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-05-13
MOAT-GRANGE.
Bf Mrs. HENRY WooD.
CHAPTER I.-CONTISCEn

III al the IerVency OF first affec-
.ion. My darling! you are too good
for me-"
Inc report of the medical men was
favorable. The bleeding had been
stopped, the shots extracted and there
was no appearance of danger A little
conhnement, quiet and proper treat
ment they hoped would set all to rights
again.
NO one had thought about dinner,
and an hour, at least, after it ought to
nave been served. when Mr.. Dalrymple
mad dropped into a calm sleep. and
they were all gathered in the oak par
Tor servant came in, and said it was
on the table.
"Ihen L will be going" spoke Mr..
Cleveland, "and wish you all a good
appetite"
Indeed you will not go without
some dinner,' returned Mrs. Dali
rymple.
Il am in pretty state for dinner"
said he. ''And 1 can't worry Dali
rymple over coats, now. Look at
me-"
20, Mr.. Cleveland! do YOU think we
shall regard your dress? Is this time
to be fastidious? We have not thought
of it, ourselves"
Mop" said Mr.. Cleveland. looking
at them. Il am sure you all look we'll.
You are not in shooting-jackets and
muddy boots"
Il am going to sit down as 1 am"
interrupted Charles, who had not
changed a thing since he came in.
Mrs. Dalrymple ended the matter by
taking Mr.. Cleveland's arm, and bear
ing him off toward the dining room.
Charles laid hold of Isabel Lynn, and
the rest followed. Oscar was the only
one who had dressed. In all emergen-
cies he retained propriety and cool
self-pOssession, even to the putting on
of a coat.
1t was a lively dinner-table. made so
by the efforts of Mr.. Cleveland: in fact,
that was why he had remained. He
had great faith in cheerful looks round a
sick-bed; and did not want responding
ones shown to his friend Dalrymple.
CHAPTER II.
The seventh day after the accident
was day of rejoicing. for Mr.. Dali
rymple was so far recovered as to be
up some hours. A sofa was drawn be-
fore the fire, and he lay on it. The
symptoms had ali along been favora-
bic. and he now merrily told them that
if anybody had written to order him
cork leg. he thought it might be coun-
fernandez. They all made merry with
him. paving him visits by turns. Alice
and Miss Lynn had been in together;
when they were leaving, he beckoned
the latter back, but Alice did not no.
tice, and went limping from the room.
.'Do you want ME to do any thing for
you?' asked Isabel. returning and
bending over the sofa.
Yes" said Mr.. Dalrymple, taking
possession of both her hands. and look
ing up with an arch smile: - want
you to tell me what the secret is be-
tween you and that spooney, Charles"
Isabel Lynn's eyes dropped, and her
face grew scarlet. She was unable to
speak.
:. Won't you tell me?" repeated Mr..
Dalrvmple.
Has he been-saying any thing to
you, sir?" she faltered.
-. OF he. Not word. Somebody
else told me they saw he and Miss
Lynn had a secret between them, which
might possibly bear results some day"
hands free, and held it before her face.
NAY, my dear" he kindly said. Il
did not wish to make you uncomforta-
BILE. l only meant to joke; and just to
say one thing. Isabel-that if you and
Charlie should be talking secrets to
each other, l and his mother will not
say nay to it. Dry up your tears, child;
it is a laughing matter, not crying
one. / invite you and Charles to drink
tea with me this evening. There
Isabel escaped, half smiles, half
tears. And she and Charles had tea
with Mr.. Dalrymple that evening. He
took it early since his illness; six
O'Clock. Isabel made the tea, and
Charles waited on his father, who was
then in bed. When the tea was cleared
away. Isabel went with it, and Charles
sat by the bedside alone.
This might have been an unlucky
shot. Charles" Mr.. Dalrymple sudden
ly observed.
"Oh, fatheri do not talk about it.
am so thankful
but l am going to talk about ito
tell you why it would have been 50 I'M
lucky, had it turned out differently.
This accident has made me remember
the uncertainty of life, if l never re-
membered it before. Put the candles
off the table, Charles; don't like them
right in my eyes. And just get the
lotion before you sit down"
Charles Dalrymple rose, did what was
required, and resumed his seat.
when l married, Charles, l was
only the second brother, and no settle
ment was made on your mother. l had
post in London. as l believe You have
heard, which brought me in six hun
dred year, and we were married on
that. to rub on as best we could. And
1 dare say we should have rubbed on
very WE'LL" added Mr.. Dalrymple. in s
sert of parenthesis, "for our desires were
simple, and we were not likely to GO
beyond our income. However. when
YOU were about two years old. Moat-
Grange fell TO me, through the death OF
my brother 80,
He was my godfather, was he not?'
interrupted Charles.
Yes He
..What was the cause of his death:
He must have been young man.
Extraordinarily, only. 1t was
young. gave up my post in London,
and we came to Moat-Grange-
..But what did my uncle Charles die
OFF" asked Charles again.
..Never mind what. 1t was an un'
happy death, and we do not care to
speak of it. Moat-Grange is worth
iabout 1000 a year; and, in one re-