Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-01-19

HE CooLIY TOOK TIE LINES FROM HER HAND.
advantage over an awkward youth who
seems unable to dispose of his hands; so he,
with the reins, could much better gain his
self-control, while Lydia would be more apt
to lose hers.
81 prefer to drive, myself, sir,'' she re-
piled with dignity.
Then the suppressed fires of her anger
famed forth.
care you professional briganda Pos
sibly, this is the usual way with American
gentlemen; their method of protesting de-
votion. chivalry and all that is noble. Are
courtships commonly conducted in this
manner, in this model Republic of yOur's!'
Fairfax answered nothing.
He was now gaining ground, and she rap
idly losing. If she would only persist in
keeping up this TRADE, he soon would have
the upper hand
In my country" continued she, in those
icy, cutting tones, s'when a gentleman pro-
fesses to know nothing about woman and
to care less, we hardly look to see him, a
day or two afterwards, run away with her
in manner BETTING barbarian. Alto
gether, sir, you have placed yourself in a
position exceedingly unenviable, and have
lost the confidence of all respectable per-
sons"-Whom she meant by ''all respecta-
BILE persons" was a trif1e uncertain.
tated under Fairfax's persistent silence and
her failure to enrage him; NOW, sir, have
no time to waste with you in this matter;
nor do care so 20 do with a man of the
vague ideas of right and wrong you seem to
possess Her voice assumed a regretful
tone, tinged with a shade of tenderness as
she proceeded. There was time when
matters appeared differently here she
turned and gave Fairfax a sidelong glance
hat ed a
ness, scornful defiance, yet curiosity.
Fairfax, too, at this singular remark,
raised his eyes in an upward inquiring look
What could she mean!
Resumlng her chilling hauteur, she went
on:
81 shall not ask, nor do care to know
your motives, or your course in this out
rageous ir,"-this was deliberate false
hood. She was burning with desire to learn
it all.-''I want to tell you that Natalie must
be Immediately released and, what is more,
sent safely back. Do you mean to say,
wretched fool! that you for moment sup
posed you could win her love in this way?
Even the most obtuse villain could not fail
to see such thing were impossible. And
I'm surprised that a man of the cunning
which this Performance of yours shows you
to possess, should fail to perceive it.''
She continued for some time in this Bit
ter, biting manner.
Meanwhile Fairfax was fast regaining
his old-time composure.
There was something about this strange
man that was irresistible Even his silence
was often more effective than the words
of others. Lydia became conscious of this
powerful influence of his over her.
1t was the old story of the subtle strength
of will which silently forces one person to
recognize another as his superior
he triaS m lash nm her anger. but Only
succeeds in feeling her growing weakness
more and more.
Then she began to reflect, and, in an act
i've contest, reflection generally loses the
day. What was this she was doing. Here,
in strange country, with man she had
seen but once before, and on an errand
that few women would have dared, and
most women been ashamed to undertake.
She stole another glance at her compan-
ion, and now began to notice that firm,
hard mouth; those tightly compressed lips
and the stern. daring look about the face.
After all, her knowledge of his character
was almost nothing She began to grow
alarmed
Fairfax felt, rather than saw it all, and
suddenly leaned forward, with the remark:
'sWe are coming to dangerous part OF
the road. / will take the relns, If you
please"
With that he cody took the lines from her
hands, almost ere she knew what he was
about.
She sank back on the seat with scarcely |
subdued gasp of alarm. She was now the |
woman-all woman; he the man, and man |
not to be trified with, at that.
'sNow," said he, quietly, but firmly, "if |
you have finished what you have to say, L
also will say something. However, before |
I begin my remarks, would like to ask |
DrOfeSS6Q
to hold me in utter contempt. How is it, |
then, you did not place the matter in the |
hands of a detectivea How is 1t you deal |
with me personallyi In other words, how |
came you here, and what do you want with |
mel"
As he asked her this he turned suddenly |
and sharply around and looked her full in |
the face.
The question was perfectly natural; but |
the effect was extraordinary, and had he |
not been in the mood that rendered him |