Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-08-09

CAROL WAS TURNING RING ON HER HAND.
stone being slightly off-color and marred by
flaw which he flattered himself would nev
er be knoWn-and was accordingly very
fair representation of the affection he Of
fered, genuine in one sense, but affected by
certain mercenary motives which the girl
herself did not suspect.
There was no Christmas feeling of peace
and goodwill in the young girls breast.
Lyman's present-a set of sapphires-
brought a rush of tears to her eyes.
81 would rather have the corals you gave
me last year and-happiness, brother"
"Have a little patience, Carol. There's
not q particle of reason in making yourself
unhappy. See here. / want You to please
Ingot and keep him in a good humor. twill
never do to show him such doleful looks. II
you are bound to undo all am working for
b. your half-heartedness, say SO at once and
will give up my scheme. I will give up
the best hopes of my life with it; but what
does that matter when weighed against
girls whim!''
eff / only understood little BETTER"
murmured Carol. do you mean that by
doing this I will help you to gain Altheas"
"By not doing it you will be the cause OF
my losing her, and nore-so much more,
that you as we'll as will be sorry, sorry to
. the end of your life.''
Ou, Ly
"There is no use of Our talking. Once
and for all, you shall take your choice"
| How hard and cruel men can be to the
| women who love them! Lyman knew that
| every word he uttered cut through that ten
der heart. He knew also what tho choice
would be, knew that he would have no
trouble after this in having his own way.
Mr. Ingot was invited to dinner. He
came early, and his small eyes cleaned
1 L l.. aytr, -
bravely on the little white hand he coveted.
be so foolish as to refuse it. When I make
I'D my mind to have a thing /
| generally get it by some hook or crook, and
/ it's Il good while since made up my mind
| to get you, my little beauty. Kiss me,
sweet, to seal the bond. What, so shy'
WELL I'll not urge you now, but you shall
pay me for my patience some day, and soon.
Soon, do you hear, my Caroll-you can't
begin your fixing too quickly for the we'd
| ding-day. Say! shall we make big
splurge. or go ahead and do up the matter
| quietly like sensible people?"
| 'Oh, keep every thing quiet" urged
Carol, shrinkingly, only Just beginning to
realize what she had taken on herself.
! What would her friends say if the fact of
her engagement to this man were noised
abroad? What would they thinks
The light in which one of them would view
it was to be made known to her sooner than
she expected.
The bountiful dinner served to the three
was over. The gas was lit, but turn ed to q
! moonlike glow by the softening globes.
Carol walked to window, and, lifting the
curtain, looked out
There was holiday aspect to the street
even in this quiet corner Young couples
passed arm in arm, with happiness in their
| looks; children trooped by laden with the
spoils of the day; vehicles dashed back and
forth filled with merry groups. The house
fronts were brilliantly Illuminated and the
lights shonc out into the night with cheer
and brightness very pleasant to see.
Suddenly Carol half-turncd.
''Sorlcbody is stopping here; I do be-
lievc it is Althca. Yes, that is the Ever
leigh sleigh; that is their driver. How
queer, yet how good of her to como this
night of all nights in the year."
Dropping the curtain, she ran into the
hall to meet her friend. Lyman bit his lip
with annoyance, though an eager glow
burned in his eyes. He had told Carol
nothing OF an informal invitation to dine at
the Everleigh's, which he had declined for
both of them. 1t was queer that Althea
should come there-how queer he alone
could fcel-yet her GRAND was very
simple one.
Il was so unfortunate in my invitations"
she began to explain. Even Norris disap-
! pointed mo by having previous engage
ments, so turned out ut last and gathered
up miscellaneous party which 1 find my
self scarcely able to manage, and I ran
away to beg you to come and help me enter
tain them for an hour or two, Carol. Don't
wait to ask questions, I'll tell You on the
way. The gentlemen may follow if they
like to make themselves useful; but I give
fair warning tina. VIII have no drones in
the hive tonight. 1t is not a full dress oc-
casion and you viii all do very well as you
arc" she added, with q mischievous smile.
"It's very wise of YOU, Miss Everleigh, to
| take us in, for whatever Lyman might say,
certainly would object to having thii
young lady run away from me tonight.
I've got enough interest in her now to keep
sharp watch on her proceedings" pro-
claimed Mr.. Ingot, with certain amount Of
purpose in making tha state Of affair."
known to his employers daughter.
1 ITO Dx CoHxNUxn1 ~