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

uent to-uay, anQ GnOugn naQ made up my
mind to say no more on the subject, I
found that could not let it go that way.
She looks restless and unhappy; am sure
she is not reconciled, and yet I hear that
the wedding day is set"
s. It comes within the week, Miss Ever
leigh"
'And you are determined to aid and abct
that man, to her lifelong misery! What are
you-stone, ice, iron-that you have no
feeling for her. And / once thought you a
model brotheri an honorable, generous
hearted manl"
A red fame broke into the pale cheek
now. Such an outbreak from Miss Ever
leigh was unprecedented, but some strong
emotion was carrying her out of herself.
A faint, bitter smile came and went on
Lyman's face.
SIS it solicitude for Carols happiness
alone which is leading you to make this APP
peal!' he asked "Is there not more solicit
tude for the happiness-or the fancied hap
piness-of another person back of it.''
Why he should torture himself by asking
that question, Lyman Childer scarcely
knew. In his heart, notwithstanding that
he knew Norris Bergman was devoted to
his sister, he was still bitterly jealous of
that young man. Though he did not love
Althca, Althea might love him Certainly,
she had shown her preference for him most
Enthusiastically.
Possibly the sacrifice is not all on Carols
side,' he went on, with quiet steadinesS
of purpose, now that the subject was
launched. 81 have heard that women do
strange things, sometimes, for the men they
love. One may even plead the cause Of her
rival while her own heart breaks"
'sHearts do not break So easily. But you
are right; it is not for Carols sake alone
h.,x 70 Nv infa sf in ia
quite strong enough to make me humiliate
myself to ask favor of one as little dis
posed to grant it as you are, apparently. /
wish there was some sacrifice l could make
strong enough to soften you''
The usefulness of those last words was
not lost on him, but he hardened himself to
her influence, outwardly at least.
s'You will do better to console Bergman
Miss Everlcigh. He is an honorable, gen
erous-hearted man. who will reach your
ideal much closer than THAN any other
probably would. l would not care for a
secondhand affection myself, yet l speak
honestly when say that / have not q
doubt but you can inspire him with n far
| more passionate attachment than he has
| for my guilelcss little sister. Such women
| as you can sway men as they will"
Il wish that were so. Agree to what 1
ask, break off this contemplated marriage,
and l may believe you are speaking Seri-
ously, not in sarcasm"
This matter is in Carols hands. You
may say what you like to her"
ayes, and you have her coached to admit
nothing to me-nothing of what her looks
! betray."
| She clasped her hands together and
leaned little forward, with sudden
| change in her tone:
MIR. Childer, we owe you a debt OF
| gratitude, father and /, but if your putin
| that money in the firm must result in this,
| better ten thousand times that you had
| never obtained it for such use. I am not
| so entirely ignorant of bow it was obtained
| as you may suppose"
| Every drop of blood drained out Of Lyman
| Childcr's face; he looked at her with
| startled-one might think with terrified
| eyes. Her glance was on the floor, fort
unately. She did not see that sudden,
| CHASTITY change.
You may not know that papa had an Old
business acquaintance with Mr.. Farraker.
| your late uncles lawyer. He had some
| cause for writing to him when you n.ade
| your first proposition to become his partner.
and he told the fact, laying stress upon tho
generosity which prompted you to save him
in that way. The reply, some weeks later,
| deprecated the disappointment he had prob
| your uncle's will had left but small
amount of comparatively worthless property
to your sister and yourself instead Of the
| fortune which was expected to revert to the
| two of you"
| Lyman's lips opened mechanically.
Did it not occur to you that the worth
| less property might have turned out better
than Farraker beleved!"
so papa said, so thought at the time
Since that. have had reason to change my
mind Mr.. Childer, if Hiram Ingot is using
some fact connected with the obtaining o.
! that money to force Carols compliance,
beg of you to save her at any cost to your
self or to us. Better that all should go, thai
that she be made unhappy for life"
Something of his natural color had come
back slowly to Lyman's face. One hanG
! plucked ncrvously at a button of his coat
| but his eyes were raised to meet, squarely
| yet with a sort of sullen resistance. those
dark ones that had tears flashing in then
! now.
| '.You say you know how that money was
| obtained. Have you any objections to en-
| tightening me to the full extent of your
| knowledge, and your means of obtaining it
Through Bergman, suppose. His detect
i've instincts have led him 10 spy out my
sins and report them to you. How has he
'.You CO Norris injustice; you have al
| ways done him injustice. He knows nothing
of what have been telling you. My owl
observation, some boasts and insinuations
of Ingot's, are all that l draw my con
illusions from. Can you tell me l am wron
while you yield to him, even to the sacritice
of the sister you loves"
| His owes fell before her clear, penetrating
glance. Shadows crept over his coun
| tenance. His mood changed to one bittcl
and scornful.
s'Then you have been accusing me out o.
your inner consciousness only Well, car
not hope to reinstate myself in your goot
opinion, if ever held IL place there. Some
day you shall know whether You have judged
me truly or falsely; until then"
''GIve me one assurance that am wrong
and will believe you,' spoke Althea, i'm
pulsively, even eagerly. She would rather
think well of him If she could.
What madness possessed Lyman that hl
should answer her as he didi
II will give you no assurance. Were
lover, like Bergman, waiting for my doom
from your lips, would swear to my limo
cencc, but have given up all the preten
sions ever had to your favor. In this ont
instance ut least l will rival you in gen
erosity, Miss Evcrleigh. resign in favo
of tho rival whom you voald give up t,
another love. You will think better of it
perhaps, when the actual opportunity TO
your sacrifice comes"
An indignant flame had sprung into he
checks, but she kept back her resentment
asking eagerly:
"Does that mean that you will rcconside
your intentions regarding Carol. / cal
overlook all else if you only do that"