Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-06-07
posted. and possessed himself of the

1 pOSALCus dud POoSCSSCu ulHIStlx Ol tIl6
old gentleman's sedate-looking hat
There, as he expressed. he found
slowed away in the lining a tiny little
note. With trembling fingers the now
hopeful lover laid smooth the compli-
Gated folds of the paper and read:
Please do not think me forward or presum-
/ ing in making the following request: am in
| great trouble. Tomorrow evening at seven I
| shall not be missed for half an hour. Will you
meet me at the end of the lane leading past our
house-where the wood begins. L. L.
| For the first time since the young
mans arrival at the Office Mr.. Crun CHI
er had occasion to complain of his in
accuracy and inattention in his work
The head of the establishment was.
however, guarded in his reproof. for
Stanley was a valuable assistant, in
the main. and seemed content with as
tonishingly little pay.
The following evening Owen was at
the place of rendezvous fully half an
hour too soon. AS he was beginning
to despair of Louise's coming she APP
peared, bre athless and greatly agitat-
ed.
What must you think of me" she
began. making an appointment with
you. almost stranger. at DUSK In
this theatrical manner"
IT m sure the motive for all your
actions is good" replied Owen, gall
lantly.
Il have a strong motive in this case,
certainly" continued Louise. Il
wish to ask your advice on matter
of the utmost Importance to me.
have studied your face as much as I
dared in church. heart gave
bound # delight. Then she had
looked at and thought about him!-
land think can trust you. and call
you my friend. have no other"
She looked SO lovely with the tears
in her eyes, as she said this. that
Owen longed to take her in his arms
and kiss her, instead of declaring him.
self her devoted servant in plain
words.
Let us sit down on this fallen tree
and will begin my story at the begin
ming. You men of the law are inn
patient of unnecessary preamble, :"
Louise went on. with bright smile
for a moment dispeling the melan choly
clouding her face. Last February.
now nearly four months ago, I was
travelling alone from here to Clover
on an errand for my aunt My COM
panions in the compartment were a
very pretty old lady. an ordin ary-look-
ing gentleman of about five and forty,
and a younger man, not at all
ordinary looking. He had large. black
eyes, with wild look in them, and
his dress and manners were quite diff
ferent from those of the people was
accustomed to seeing. He sat OPP.
posite me, and soon after the train
started began staring at me in most
annoying way"
1.-The impertinent rascal! How
wish had been there to punch his
headw exclaimed Owen. with warmth.
He perhaps did nothing to merit
q ute such severe punishment; but he
was certainly then. and has been since.
indirectly. the cause of great deal OF
misery to me. He amused himself for
some time with casting what sup
pose were admiring glances at me.
pressing his hand to his heart and
signing profoundly. Then suddenly,
to my utter amazement he threw him.
self OH his knees before me. declared.
in very bad E nglish. that he loved me
to distraction, and, most startling OF
all, tore off his very handsome watch
and chain and flung them into my
lap"
THE man was m ad, of course"
Yes; we learned this for fact aft.
erwards. l looked at our travelling
companion-the middle aged man al
ready mentioned-in helpless fright.
He started up, and, with what | then
thought admirable presence of mind.
exclaimed. angrily: How dare you
insult my wife, sirP'
This strong language had the de-
sired effect, and the man seemed te
shrink into himself and become quiet
as lamb. Isuprose believing me te
be the wife of some body else shattered
his hopes"
Here again the rare. sweet smile
lent a new charm to Louise's face.
"Try as 1 might" she continued. 81
could not prevail upon him to take
back his watch, and at the next STA.
ton the gentleman who called me hi;
wife gave my admirer. with his watch,
into the hands of a policeman, as mad.
That is the last we ever saw OF him.
but we heard later that he was Pole,
and incurably insane. The old lady in
the coupe with us looked inquiringly
at my rescuer, who laughed. and muir
INJURED something l did not under.
stand. / thanked him as descend ed
at my destination. never dreaming
that he was to cross my path again
Here Louise broke off, and the rest
of her narrative was told less glibly.
You perhaps know. Mr.. Stanley.
that am an orphan. dependant or
my uncle for every thing and conse.
quently in his power for good OIL
evil.
More evil than good. l fancy
Owen wished to say, but refrained till
he should have heard the end of the
story. If he could sit thus for ever on
the messy old log listening to Louise s
sweet voice. and watching her charm
ing play of expression, how happy he
believed he would be!
Some weeks ago. one afternoon,
my uncle called me from mendine
Tommy's stockings, and told me s
4 L al