Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-08-23

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"CoME, LYMAN, ARE You READY"
company, presumably to dine with his be-
trothed, and spend the evening in the light
of her smiles.
Norris felt, unreasonably enough, that
the groon-elect only came to flaunt his tri-
umph before him. the discounted rival. AS
Mr.. Ingot never gave him the slightest
personal notice, 1t was not so hard to keep
back the signs of his own pain and despair
as it otherwise would have been, yet he
could net repress little start when the
latter appeared ON the evening of the fourth
of January rather later than usual.
"Come, Lyman, are you readya Re
member that this is the last time 1 will
bore you with ray company. Shan't have
to rely on you to make my welcome after
this. Got your matters all arranged for to-
morrow so business can run half day
without youa Judging by your devotion to
the business of late, tits wonder you did
not cut down the tinc to an hour
81 an not quite through, but can finish
up every thing tonight" answered Lyman.
abstractedly, as the two went out to-
in wild, rebellious throbs which would not
be quelled.
Then the morrow was the wedding-day!
The thought of all he was losing came over
him anew. If he could only do something
if he could see her once again!
Once in his doubt and misery, he had
written to her, but his letter had been re-
turned unopened, directed in Lynan's firm
hand, but the Enclosure bore the words "By
Carols WISH" in what he knew must be
Carols own writing.
The rebuff was complete. Yet as that
last evening wore on, his restlessness car
ricd him to the vicinity of the Childer resi-
dcnce He did not expect to speak to her;
the most no hoped was to catch possible
glimpse of her before she gave herself ir
retrievably to another.
Even that much did not seem likely to be
granted him. The shutters were closed,
and scarcely CLEAN of light stole out along
the entire front.
He walked past for some distance, then
turned and ropassed, trying to imagine
what they were dong within, how she was
enduring Ingot's fulsome attentions. Could
| it be that she was finding pleasure in his
admiration. that she was passing counter
| felt of love on hersclf'-for that she had
taught herself any real regard for the man,
| he did not believe.
| He had passed and repassed thus twice,
and was approaching the house for the
third time, when the door opened and the
! two men came out. Not wishing to be
seen, Norris paused in the shadow of the
| next house while they stood chatting for a
moment together.
"She has no doubt of yous" Ingot asked.
"Not q doubt Why should shea have
never failed her yet. She relies on my
word. and have passed it more solemnly
| than she has ever heard me declare any
| thing before. Rest easy; there will be nc
withdrawal on her part before the time"
| "Ucll. you are cool one," said Ingot, in
| almost 6isgusted tones. "rvc q streak Of
| tho rascal in me, but l can't match you. I'll
have to look out for you as a brother-in-law
| or you'll be getting the best of me. Well,
| goodnight; see you tomorrow, of COURSE
/ "Eou will see mo tomorrow, assented
! Lyman, and the two parted, going their sep
| aratc ways.
| Norris was still lingering there when the
door again turned on it's hinges. A slight
form stood on the threshold, with white
shawl over its head, looking into the dim
obscurity of the street. He stirred, and a
low voice called tiraidly: LYMAN
sit is 1, Miss Childerr' he replied, ad-
vancng. "You would not receive my let
ter, will you give me word now for the
|
CT had something to say to LYMAN
she taltered.
HE is gone beyond recall. Pray, do not
deny me this chance. 1t is only to tell you
what you must know, that love you, love
| you. and would give my life to serve you il
could. Oh, why were you in such haste tc
bind yourself-why would you not give me
time to try?"
"Hush.'' she said. scarcely above whis
per. s'Oh, hush! / must not listen.''
| "Why not! Because your heart plays
the traitor! Because, oh, Carol, you might
have been taught to love me' Is it too late
too late forever, my love, my Darlington
| will you break from those hateful bonds
yet and come to me. Do not go. Let me
persuade you by all the might and power
of my love to be true to yourself, even
though You may not be kind to Eae. Do not
marry that man. Do what you will fol
your brother except that. He is urging
you to it. is he not. But he has no right to
ask so much as that"
The little, Tutoring hand he had caught
and was holding closely in his grew cold
and slipped out of his clasp.
You are wrong. Lyman would no more
urge me TOTO that, against my will, thai
you would. He wants me to be happy in my
own way. Indeed, it is true"
''Will it make you happy to marry Ingot
them" asked Norris, incredulously.
Faint as the light was, he could see thu
rich color which dyed her check, the shy
wistful look in the eyes that met his.
81 expect to be happy-after tomorrow
she whispered, and so saying was gone
The door closed, leaving hum standing alon,
on the steps.
How foolish he had becni How needless
~ he had worried himself in his fears fol
her, and yet, poor child! was she not de
ceiving hcrselfs He could not be angr,
with her, though he tried, but in his disap
pointnent he went straight through tn
streets home and to bed, to the infinite sat
isfaction of Mrs. Bates, who knew nothin;
q of the storm of grief and desolation whicl
kept him wakefu1 far INTO the uaarnin,
hours .ro .. oosr.suzD.,