Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-25

Fairfield looking after her with an ex-
preston of annoyance. Stephen was
about to; address him. but checking
himself for moment, allowed Alice to
enter the room where the company
was assembled. Then he said:
t.You don't seem over-wen pleased,
William Fairchild."
"What business may that be of
yoursp" returned William, in an I'M
gracious tone. ''Attend to your own
matters, and leave me to mine"
~"Hard words these, lad, upon Christ
mas eve," said Stephen, with no show
OF anger; f'but perhaps I was in the
wrong. / beg your pardon
lHumbleness did not sit well upon the
man; but it was so unusual an exhibit
ton in him that it stung William into
remorse.
ut is I who should beg pardon, Mr..
Winkworth. There is. my hand. Do
"Not likely I should refuse your
hand, my lad, though many another
mans might" He paid no heed to
the look of surprise with which Will
lam received this expression of good
will. ''Can you spare me a few min
utesP have that to say to you it may
be well for you to hear. No, not in the
house, with prying eyes about. What
l have to say to you is private. Come
into the open air. ;" -
He led the way, and in silent wonder
William followed him. The snowfall
had ceased, and had left thick, soft
carpet upon the earth. The moon was
shining forth. and the heavens were
bright and pure in the light of the gio-
rious prospect beneath them. As far
as eye could reach every object was
mantled in loveliest white. The tall
trees stood like white sentinels Of the
night, erect and watchful. The slopin g
roofs sloped whitley down to the caves,
and the chimney-pots reared their heads
whitley to the skies, the .cowls upon
them resembling the shrouded heads OF
white monks bending in prayer.
The solemn peacefulness of the beau
tiful night impressed its loving lesson
upon both, the men, and for little
while they were silent. William Fair
field was the first to speak.
''Do you wish to speak to me about
my farm?" F 5..E
'.No, lad. OF something of far great
er importance toyour welfare. Though,
for the matter of that, l am ready at
any moment to fulfill my share of the
bargain. If you 60 to the lawyers to-
morrow, you will find the money ready
for you. You have but to sign your
name"
''Mr. Wymer has told me so a dozen
times; but / have no intention now of
selling my land. You must be we'll
TODD man, Mr.. Winkworth, to allow
sixteen hundred pounds to be idle for
so long a time. l should not mind be-
ing in your shoes"
$50 far as regards money!"
Yes; not in any other way particu-
larly."
81 am better than well-to-do; 1 am a
rich man. If you, with. your youth,
and strength, and talent, had my
money, you could hold up your head
with the best in the country. My
daughter will inherit every penny /
possess. Inherit! 1t is hers now, while
l live. She will bring rich dover to
the man who marries here"
sstI trust she will marry one worthy
of her, said William; with sharp
look at Stephen.
..My child will bring what is better
than beauty to him who wins her love.
With riches, she will bring a faithful
heart; with riches, she will bring soul
stainless as an angels.
There was no mistaking the meaning
Stephen intended to convey, and Will
am Fairfield paused long before he
could command himself sufficiently to
speak with GOODNESS.
'sThis is not the first time to-day that
you have uttered words to which |
should not listen. What do you mean
by themp1 IS, - 80 = - 3 ssz~ 9.
'.Fair and softly, my lad. 1t is your
interest have at heart"
-ssSpeak plainly, them" g.. ~
81 will. Would you-would any man
with his eyes open-marry woman
who is playing a double game-a
shameless wench--" 81. --...9a
s.By heaven" $3.50
ssHold off your hands and listen to
me. could be your father, William
Fairfield, for the years bear. Be still
and hear me out. From the depths of
my own life 1 have that to say which,
if YOU are not utterly blind, will prove
to. YOU how false fair things may be.
When have done, you can judge for
yourself"
His stern impressiyeness made its
mark. William Fairfield did not reply,
but stood with his back against a tree,
clenching his hands and beating his
foot impatiently against its trunk.
They had wandered some little distance
from the house, and the notes of mer-
riment from within fell but family upon
their ears. Otherwise, not sound but
that of their own voices broke the still
ness of the night.
"You know what / am,s Stephen
said; "you know the estimation in
which am held. If any man, woman
or child, in all Devonshire were asked
who in all Devonshire was most dis
liked, most hated, most stunned, the
reply would be-Stephen Winkworth.
If any dumb animal in Devonshire de-
sired to show its dislike to one person
more than all others, it would be to
Stephen Winkworth. Children turn
from him; beggars avoid him; not a
human being has smile OF welcome
for him. Were he to be deprived OF
his wealth, and were he lying parched
and starving by the roadside, no one
ont of love would, for his sake, give
him a cup of milk-no one out OF
compassion would offer him bed of
straw to lie upon. Were Stephen
Winkworth to die tomorrow. no one
but the undertaken would attend his
funeral, and even he would be glad
when the job was done. Not tear
but those shed by his daughter would
fall upon his grave"
The picture he had drawn was true.
He spoke in his usual bitter tone. with
a full consciousness that it would be
futile to endeavor to avoid the penalty
he had earned and invited.
"Such is my fate" he continued.