Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-03-29

..Poor fellow" said Jared. kindly,
''she wasn't worthy of you, Jasper; but
I am SO sorry for you. when I am so
very. very happy"
ut makes me happy to see YOU"
SAID the cook, "rll be glad to take
your lady's hand an wish you both
everlastin' joy and peace.
The old cabin walls were almost
solid mass of evergreens and bright
hued mountain flowers when the boys
had made it ready for the boss and his
bride. The long table was covered
with a snowy cloth, and Jasper had
spread himself in the preparation
of the wedding feast. He was the last
to 60 to his little room in the rear of
the cabin to spruce up bit" The
other men were already in holiday at
tire. Some of them had flowers in
their button-holes, and Lanky Sim
even sported black kid gloves in spite
of the glbes and jokes of his comrades.
The brid al party entered while the
cook was still in his little room. He
heard Jared's exclamation of pleased
surprise and murmur of women's
voices praising his work. 1t was time
for him to hurry out and serve the
coffee. He opened the door softly and
looked full in the face of the bride.
Then he stepped quickly back into the
little room with an ashen face and
both hands clutching at his wildly
beating heart. A moment later he
was lying. face downward, on the
earthen floor of the cabin, his hand
clasped to his head, his white lips
moving, but no words came from them.
Scotty Sharp found HIM so few mo-
ments later, when he hurried in to tell
him that the bride had asked TO be in
troduced to him.
whats up?' asked Scotty, briefly.
Great heavens, man, you dying?" he
said as he lifted Jasper's CHASTITY face
from the cold ground.
'No-no-yes-I hope So" he said
in frightened whisper. 'I-Tm
sick, 1 can't go out; you boys , Il have
to do the rest. H. his white lips
and his great dark eyes closed softly.
Here you, Lanky-boys!" cried
Scotty. sharply, and the men came
hurrying in; they lifted him to his
bunk. he opened his eyes and said,
still in whisper:
Don't let me spoil the fun, boys.
Let me alone, I'm all right. Don't
mind me-"
Jared Hale pushed his way through
the crowd around the bunk.
"Why, Jasper old fellow" he said.
cheerily. whats gone wrong with
you? This is too bad. Can't 1 do
something for your
No, no, let me alone, please" he
pleaded. DO go on with your din
ner"
They slowly and unwillingly left him
by himself Jared was the last to
leave the room. Jasper made sign
for him to remain.
ur-your-wife," he said, with
gasping effort. Il would like to see
your-your-her alone. for just a
minute. l want to tell her somethi ng
about-nay wife,
Poor fellow!" said Jared to him.
self, 81 guess he's out of his head, but
TIL humor him just the same. The
woman that wrecked his life will have
something to answer for on the judg-
ment day."
A moment later AIRED Hale's hand
some wife stepped softly into the little
room. There was no sign of recogni-
ton on her beautiful face until he put
L 81
'Marcia!'
She drew back in terror with a face
as white as his own.
Don't be afeerd, Marshy,' he said,
half rising and still holding out his
hand. .Tll never trouble you, Marshy
dear I kinder thought the time
might come when you'd like to feel
sure % that. Rest secure, Marshy,
wouldn't make you no trouble for all
the world. I amt a-blamin' you bit
-dearie, only IL; can't you come
an touch me once, Marshy; couldn' t
you-you-kiss me once, Marshy?"
She stepped close to the bed with
staring, fearless eyes; she took his
rough hand in her own soft-gloved
and trembling hands, she stopped and
kissed him with dry cold lips, and
stole quickly out of the room to fall
fainting in her husbands arms.
My poor darling,'' he said tender
ly, Il ought to have stayed in the
room with you was afraid it would
be too much for you to endure alone. "
When the wedding party had gone
old Scotty stepped quietly into the lit
tie room with a plate piled high with
dainties and a cup of hot coffee for
Jasper. A moment later he rushed
out and cried excitedly:
Great heavens, boys, old Jas is
dead-dead as door nail!"
They rushed into the little room and
came stepping softly out with bowed
heads and tears in their eyes.
'rve often noticed him clap his
hand up 10 his left breast sudden
like" said Lankv Sim, 'he must have
had some kind of a heart trouble"
1t was lndeed--a heart trouble.
o.