Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-12-20

Violet. you have given them to me-
you can not mean
Well. she hadn't meant exactly that.
to be sure; but what could she tell the
poor cripple with such fine eyes look
ing SO earnestly into her own-what,
indeed2
Directly there is a great rush for the
door. The bell has sent ringing
summons, and every one knew it is
Miss Field. This time they are right.
Violet! Violet! Violet!'' cry ever
so many fresh young voices as water
proofed figure enters the bright draw
ing room. Mrs. Torrensham grandly
with prettily-worded
welcome that freezes upon her lips as
a pair of strangely familiar eyes look
straight into her own as if they could
read her very souls secrets!
LEFTY" she gasps, urging her fall
tering, reluctant body forward to where
Miss Field stands, surrounded by a
bevy of admiring friends.
''Vio-letty!" laughs she second
time, throwing aside her capacious
cloak, and seeming to suddenly emerge
from this chrysalis into an azure but
terfy which floats over to her and
stoops down to bestow upon her hostess
a little kiss of contrlt1on.
Mrs. Torrensham-dear Mrs. Tor
rensham, forgive mel"
"You young mischief! Eve read of
such things in books, but-oh, 1 can't
talk until scold you we'll! My friends"
said Mrs. Torrensham. who is equal to
any emergency, tells them all about it;
even admitting her designs upon Miss
Field in a charmingly-frank fashion
that wins Miss Fields good will in spite
of herself.
The evening passes glorieus1y, but
with all its gloriousness Violet keeps
at Silvertop's non-appear-
ance. just before supper she steals
away from them all and knocks for the
third time-there's always charm in
q third time any same thing is done
at Silvertop's door. but this time she
refuses to enter.
''Are you not coming, then, to escort
me- to supper-Silvertop?" The name
glides trippingly, though softly, from
her tongue, and the question is asked
rather imperiously, considering the
late change of rank and place.
= t'No, I believe not, Miss Field"
Silvertop answers, as he comes over to
where she stands upon the threshold,
bringing so serious countenance with
him that Violet grows concerned.
''And why not, if may be SO bold2"
MY aunt never expects me-
Tut, tut" growls the voice of Dick
behind them; "be honest, Toppy, love:
say it's rank cowardice. / say, Miss
Field, fetch him out; coax him-make
lim come. It's deuced queer the fell
ow isn't at home in his own house,
while my mother and 1 king it and
queen it to no end-as if it were our
very own and not Silly's at all, Miss
Field, kiss your hand"-which the
'aucy fellow does with quite an air
but hang me if | ever try to kiss you
lgain with a dozen green dragons a.
q Guarding your and Dick moves bland
y away.
''Is this your house, Mr.. ReadeP"
II believe So"
why didn't you tell me, then?"
''What earthly difference could that
nave made, Miss Fieldp'
II would not have given you the vio-
ets-that is ALL"
81 have no need, then, of the sweet,
subtle fragrance of the flower, since
hold a shining store of yellow metal
S that your creedp There is one azure
blossom would gather to my heart,
,ut si,agte-Aanded l dare not climb to
he light whereon it grows. Help me,
Violet" he beseeches.
eve are both terribly rash and i'm
,etuous." says Miss Field. gravely; but
he helps him-and, dear heart! how
easy it is for her to fash
on the rounds of that ladder whereon
lie climbs to regions of bliss! And Aunt
looking for the absentees,
inds her guest very evidently in the
of Silvertop.
That night Miss Field is escorted to
Ter room by her hostess and a dozen
r so young people who are bent upon
making a night of it, and forcing all
orts of explanations from our heroine
egarding her piece of romantic luck.
LAS l haven't girl since Lefty alb
conded. / shall have to prepare the
ed myself for Miss Fields comfort"
aughs Hon. Mrs. Torrensham, as she
hakes the pillows and pulls down the
ray satin coverlet. ''Well, we'll,
7ellr' she calculates, there's not
beet on this blessed bedr'
ooh, l forgot, / forgot. ma'amr'
ries Violet, from among group of
ess lovely human blossoms who have
altered about her. ''You told me
his very morning, ma'am, to make up
hat bed for Miss Field-and 1 COM
letely forget it-what shall 1 do
that shall l do?"
And such chorus of shouts and
delicately wild" feminine laughter
choes throughout the corridors, that
ilvertop is per force made to join in
he glee with low, happy laugh. as
e sits alone in his sanctum holding
ilent communion with bunch of pur-
lie violets pressed close to his smiling |
Best, IN Detroit Free
'ress.