Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-05-24
and Rachel sobbed

has no friendsP' and Rachel sobbed
aloud for grief
Her father was angry. This is
morbid and hysterical nonsense" he
said. you are outdone with your
work and had better go to bed"
And so she did, praying sorrowfully
for Adeline Ryerson. ere she slept
Eat least I will GO to see her before
Memorial Day." she thought. per
haps she will let me in when she sees
I love her."
So she fell asleep in peace. But her
father lay long awake. vexed and
restless. 1.-THE land'-he was aging
to himself-.I don't see how she de.
served it if she was engaged to Rich
ard. It's real silly girls notion
this of Rechers. Who'd ever have
thought of it's being brought up
again, after all these years? I never
did like Adeline; no more did Uncle
john"
All that was the secret of the injus-
tice! And the proud and sensitive
Adeline had known and felt it all.
easy, discoutented days. The third
was the one before Memorial Day.
Then he put OH his Sunday coat and
went down to the village.
Rachel betook herself to the woods
for laurel for to-morrow's garlands.
At evening the house was full of the
flowers. and there was delicate flush
of excitement upon Rachel's cheek
that matched them in color. Her
father coming in looked upon her
and loved her. She was like her
Uncle Richard. he thought-with just
such fresh complexion and thought
full gray eyes. The associations OF
the time were strong upon him. 1t
seemed as if Richard might be only a
little way off. just gone to the spring,
or gone to see Adeline. likely to slip
in at the door any minute and kneel
with the rest at evening prayer
Was it this that gave Farmer Guild
such a happy look? Not altogether.
He had folded paper. legal formal
bit of paper in his pocket that was to
his soul rs these dedicated flowers
were to Rachers. 1t was the tribute
he brought to lay upon his brother S
grave. 1t was deed of the south
pasture to Adelrne Ryerson.
'.Will you do an errand for me?" he
said to Rachel after supper. Then he
put the paper in her hand. "She will
let you in. if any body" he said.
You'll know what to say better than
L But tell her ask her forgiveness
that didn't do it before; and ask her
to accept it for Richards sake"
There was a conflict of fear and Joy
in Rachel's heart as she sped down the
road to Adeline's house. She could
not but dread to break upon the isola-
ton that had been so resolutely main
tanned. Very softly she turned the
gate on its rust-eaten hinges. and
stole past the perfume breathing lilacs
and syringas to the back door of the
house. Light as was her step it startled
some one sitting upon the doorstep.
aud tall figure rose, retire ated into
the house and half closed the door.
From thence looking forth what did
Adeline Ryerson see? The gray eyes
that had this moment haunted her
dreams as she sat alone in the sprin g
twilight; the same eyes in truth and
verify, and with the same expression
of earnest. pleading love looking forth
from them upon her. Should she not
know them again. though they had
been closed in dust these twenty
years? They were the same. though
they looked not now from the face of
a bearded youth. but from that of a
fresh young maiden who spoke in
sweet, simple confidence that matched
her gaze.
II am Rachel Guild" she said. Il
have wanted to come and see you for
a long time. You can think why,
dear Miss Ryerson. 1t is because ]
have heard so much about my Uncle
Richard and 1 love him; it has made
me love you, too"
All, what words! and what look
from those dear. those beautiful eyes!
Adeline Ryers on's hand fell from the
door. but she did not yet speak.
you know why came o-night of
all Others" said Rachel. "All our
thoughts are full of Uncle Richard
now because tomorrow is Memorial
Day. We could not help thinking of
you, too, and / wanted to see you"
A throb of joyful surprise shook
poor Adeline's heart Were they
then. indeed, associating her still
with Richards memoly? That was a
balm of soothing she could not resist.
Come in;" she said to Rachel. Her
voice was weak and husky. 1t was
talking to herself
But you were sitting in the door, !"
said Rachel, "and it is so sweet and
dewy out here. Let me bring this
chair here for you, and Twill sit on the
step here below. So"
Adeline like a child submitted 10 her
arrangements. Every word and move
ment of this young girl was so
strangely. so sweetly acceptable to
her.
Il have been wanting to talk to you
like this for weeks" said Rachel, in
Joyful content. But dear Miss Ryer-
son. / did not come for myself to-
night. Father sent me. He has re-
membered something Uncle Richard
wanted done. Father is sorry. very
sorry, it was not done before. 1t was
to make over some land that ought to
have been yours. Father has sent me
with the deed. Here it is. He wants
you to take it as from Uncle Richard s
hand"
She laid the paper upon Adeline' s
lap. The poor woman trembled from