Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-10


useless to fight against it. he resolved
to work early and late to attain the
position he so longed to occupy. as
we'll now that he might court Rettie
Mere more from station in life which
she would not be ashamed to share, as
to satisfy his old aspiration.
At first Miss Neremore treated the
quiet young man whom nearly every
body Stunned, with cold Indifference;
but he kept on with his studies in his
earnest plodding way. and gradually,
as they became acquainted with each
other. her manner toward him grew
to be quite friendly. There was
some thing. however in the express
sion of her pretty brown eyes which
caused him to feel that she considered
herself above him. OF course he
made no attempt to win her love; he
would not. he told himself, till he was
able to do so as her equal; but he did
try to win her respect
Three years passed in this way,
Arthur had decided to 60 to collie ge.
and. feeling encouraged by Retie's
continued friendliness toward him. he
thought he would tell her of his love
before starting. He was not the thin.
stoop-shouldered boy now. but a tall.
we'll built, handsome man; and he
felt that. considering what he had ac-
complished. he had some claim to
equality with even the Neremores.
The evening before his departure, he
called at the Neremore mansion to
hear his fate from the lips of the girl
whom he had learned to love with all
the intensity of his earnest nature
without a sign of encouragement
from her. except such as any one
would expect from friend. She re-
ceived him with her usual frankness;
and. when he spoke of going away, she
added:
what has led you to that decision
so suddenly"
ut is not so very sudden" he re-
piled. Il have been nearly three years
thinking it over, and making prepara-
tions. l did not suppose any body
would care. so 1 have said nothing
about it. But did hope. Kettle, that
you would care little; and l have
come to have little talk with you,
and to say good bye
'.Rettie." he continued, drawing
nearer to her. II am under the impress
sion that you will not wish to hear
what l have to say tonight, but can
not 60 away for so long without KIN ow-
ing whether you care to have me re-
turn"
''Why, of course. we shall all want
you to return" she replied, evasively.
but you do not understand. love
you Kettle. 1 have loved you ever
since we first went to school together.
/ know you have not encouraged me,
but love you all the more; and if you
will only let me hope for your love in
return. / will wait till can offer you
comfortable home. and as good a
l realize only too well that l can not
do so now, but am able and willing
to work; and it will give me the gre at
est of pleasure to think that am work
ing for you.
Il am sorry to disappoint you. Mr..
Lindsay, but can never become your
wife. l noticed your preference for
me, and did not encourage you. be-
cause / knew that we could never be
more to each other than friends 1t
will be long time before you finish
your studies. and you will undoubted-
ly find lady more suited to your
tastes than l am"
II do not want to find another" he
said. impulsively. II will be satisfied
to remain single if can not win you.
But you do not say that my love is not
reciprocated. You surely do not in.
tend to let me go away in despair if
you have the least spark of love for
meP You are only testing; you will
some day be my wife. if work hard
for you. will you not?'
There are other things to think OF
besides love, Mr.. Lindsay l know i,
is hard. but you do not fully compre.
bend what you are asking of me. or
you would not expect my answer to
be different"
Il do comprehend it. too we'll, per-
haps, and did not expect a differen
answer; but if you knew how much
love you. how all my time for the last
three years has been devoted to max
ing myself in some degree worthy OF
your love. and how increasingly l am
willing to work for you in the future.
1 am sure you would trust me-"
Il can not / can not, Mr.. Lindsay.
and your pleading only makes it hard
err for me, as we'll as yourself. Please
do not mention it again"
lit is hard then," he said, after 6
pause, ito be told that you are loved
by one whom you tacitly admit yor
love in return. Your decision is" he
went on slowly. that social position
is more to you than the love of a man
who would lay down his life for you
You will cast me off. because / can no
now offer to you that which you crave,
and you can not trust me 10 carve
place in the future for both of us. /
love means no more to you than that,
l can not imagine how it is hard fol
you to reject mine"
You do not understand, you can no
understandH she exclaimed. burs tin Q
into tears and covering her face will
her handkerchief If you love me as
you say you do. you would not ask me
to leave a life of luxury and ease fol-
one of drudgery. "
II do not ask you 10 do that will
wait till can offer you a comfortable
home and as good a position as thai
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