Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-04-26

ed, and all that, would have given my promeS
at once, for know you wouldn't do meen
thing. asked aunt, and she said you couldn't,
though of corse I didn't show her your card,
nor tell her what you asked me not to. When
/ read your name on the card in the hansomb,
aunt was looking out in front and didn't see. I
jumped so that trod on her toes and couldn't
keep my feet STILL and she got little angry, but
1 kept your card hidden and didn't say a word
Do you think shall ever get in the army I
want to do brave things like you; but aunt
says shan't, becos I can't spell if spelin
had any thing t, do with spikeing guns or 60
ing without food for two days that the other
sick men might have more. and carrying your
friend from under fire. Could you spell well at
my age? II had heard aunt call you by your
name this afternoon should have known at
once, and could have ask't you no W you got in
to the army. Aunt and I have been talking
about you ever since She told me it was you
that kept that promes and saved the game
keepers life, and nearly lost your own with the
poochers. And know she had been crying,
for her eyes were red when she was dressed
for dinner, and think she cried because you
did such splendid things. For she cried be-
fore, that time you got made V. G. Girls are so
funny, they cry when want to shout Hip hip
hooray. Yours truly.
STEPHEN DALE.
must not forget to say that we are going
to the Army and Navy Stores the day after to-
morrow at eleven O clock, and shall be glad
when it is over for though I know it isn't a
meen secret, aunt's eyes always seem to go
through fellow when he has got one.
The Major could quite understand the
latter sentence. He felt depressed al
ready at the thought of meeting those
clear gray eyes, with the guilty con-
sciousness upon him of having corrupted
her faithful follower to act traitor against
her.
1t was difficult to say which felt most
ashamed and uneasy, Major Huddlestone
or the SchOol-boy, when they met at
eleven O'Clock at the entrance of the
Stores. She was there, and her pleasant
ly-expressd establishment at meeting
Major Huddlestone again made Steve
grow as red as young turkey cock, and
the MajOr look anywhere, rather than
meet his desperate, remorseful, glover
ing young eyes. Steve had seen how
white she had grown at first catching
sight of the Major, and he knew at once
that he Aad done dreadfully wrong. 1t
was some slight relief to see her greeting
him without anger few seconds later,
and to hear her saving that she was glad
to see him again before he left England.
This relief grew as, walking behind his
aunt and the Major, he heard one or two
whispers from people passing them, as
some men here and there recognized
Major Huddlestone, and pointed him out
as the man who had, at the head of for
lorn hope, spiked the enemy's guns the
other day.
In spite of his remorse, his heart began
| to swell with kind of proud possession.
He was in fellowship with this splendid
man and soldier. He forgot how slender
and precarious the link between them was.
His former confidence in the V. c. re-
| turned, and with the determination that
/ n xro1111 toll hiS GSa11 hnnt it3t iii
rectly they left the Stores, when the term
| of his promise would be ended, he gave
himself up to the entire enjoyment of the
position. He had been walking slowly
| and moodily behind, as he revolved the
| points of the situation. Now he hurried
up stairs after them TO catch them up, and
| to enjoy every moment of the hero's COM
pany. His aunt had stopped before the
millinery department.
They were waiting for him apparently,
as they both watched him, bounding up
the stairs as if he were the most interest
| ing thing in creation. The fact was that
owing to some thoughtlessly- expressed
| Renaissance of Mrs. Dale's, of her old
school days, the conversation had sud-
denly come to an end between them.
| Steve flung himself like an avalanche
upon them.
| Major Huddlestone had left his sling at
home that day. He did not wish to offer
her his left hand again, nor did he intend,
! either to let her go without their hands
meeting. That light, warm touch of hers
had sent a throbbing of exquisite pleasure
through his being. But when the young
Steve, rough, impetuous, full of eager
pride and delight, flung himself on him,
and thrust his own arm through the
wounded one, the sharpness of the pain
[ tIo, 70 to
.Oh. Steve, Steve! See what you have
done. Oh! Major Huddlestone, he has
hurt you," Mrs. Dale said, with a sudden
rush of tears to her eyes, which drowned
their hardness and GOODNESS and set the
beautiful mouth quivering into tender,
pitiful loving lines.
sit is nothing" he said, and to prove 1t
laid the hurt arm about the boys shout
ders, and though every moment was
physical torture he was scarcely con-
scious of it in the exquisite delight that
filled his heart and brain. At the revela-
| ton of her face great inspiration came
| to him.
s'He does not want to buy old ladies
caps" he said. "Let him come with me;
l want to look at a gun. How long will
you be-"
"About quarter of an hour" she said.
l
unmitigated bliss to Steve. AS for the
Major, it may fairly be said that for once
! in his life he was not conscious of any
! difference between one end of gun and
| the other. He bought something at last,
| or rather Steve, who discussed the matter
| in its fullest bearings with the attendant,
bought something for him. The Major
was only possessed with one idea-to get
| back to the millinery.
1--WE mustn't keep your aunt waiting
he said, sinking deeply and shamelessly
into the gulf of hypocrisy. 81 will leave
you to settle. Wait here until l come
back. shan't be long"
! cali right, SIR" said the boy, delighted
| to obey such a man, and still more de-
! lighted at his obedience being required in
such spot, where the atmosphere was
redolent of sport and war.
| There was food for amusement and con-
| temptation for hours. Besides, it was
| something even to pay with another mans
money for such gun as he was still low
| ingly handling.
| The Major had to wait five minutes at
the entrance to the millinery department
| before she came out.
| "Where is Steve:" she asked, suddenly
| feeling shy and nervous without his inno-
cent, clustering presence.
! 81 have promised him an ice," said the
Major, unblushingly, so easy grow the
steps of deception when the first one is
taken. 'Will you come to the refresh
ment room with u.s."
1t was the only place he could think of.
1t was not a very private place, but there
was always the chance of table in the
corner. Fortune favors the brave. There
was a table unoccupied, and, as if this
| man were her Darticular fayOrite. there