Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-03-15

When Vale was twenty-six and At
klnson twenty-eight a new element
came into their quiet lives. A family
by the name of More moved into the
town. The eldest daughter was an
extremely handsome and charming
girl. who speedily attracted many adj
mirers. among them the two friends.
who often called upon her. always to-
getheE 1t was not long before the
young men detected in each other an
interest in Lucy More. and over their
evening cigars the subject was finally
broacbed by Vale.
''Robert-you and are getting to
be old fellows. and soon we shall be
lonely old fellows-unless one of us
makes change"
"a change! What kind of a changer"
said Atkinson.
Marrying" said Vale. ''One of
US ought to marry and make home
for himself. and you are the one"
Nonsense. What can you be think
ing of?'
Il have been thinking it over for
some time" said Vale with affected
vivacity; land now, see here, Robert,
you know well enough what 1 mean.
and you know that any girl with
eyes couldn't help preferring you to
me. l wouldn't give much for her
Judgment, if she didn't. Lucy"
What of Lucy?' said Atkinson.
flushing.
Lucy, 1 think" said Vale. Eyes.
am sure-she cares more for you
now than tor me-and you love her
1 am sure of it,
'And so do you" retorted Atkin-
son, jumping up and standing over
him. why not ask for YOURSELF
You have the best right
Vale shook his head. Lucy does
not care for me as l do for her, so
that is out of the question. l should
do better as brother, and that
brings me to what L wish to say
putting out a warning hand to stop
whatever Atkinson might be about to
say. go and ask Lucy, and if she
accepts you, make interest for me to
have home with you. That's all
want to make me all right, but
couldn't get on. I'm afriad, if 1 were
left out in the cold"
1t was in vain that Atkinson pro-
tested and endeavored to show his
friend how much he wronged himself
in his estimate, and argued that as
Lucy had never shown any preference
for either Vale could not know that
she had any. Vale had his mind made
up. and was eager to have the matter
settled and over.
go to her, Robert" he said; ''if
I'm mistaken, then perhaps-but I'm
not"
So the subject was dropped, and the
next evening, when Atkinson an
nounced his intention of going out.
Vale looked up and said: ITO see
Lucyp'
Atkinson assented.
wv ell, good luck to you," and Vale
gave his hand a hearty grip.
Il shall look in the post-office," said
Atkinson, faltering. his hand on the
door-knob. IF there are letters for
you. I II run back with them first"
1t seemed but few minutes before
he came hurriedly in, and THROWN g
down couple of letters before Vale
said: .'R ebert. you could manage a
few days without me, suppose"
''Why. yes. of course" answered
Vale. looking up. Seeing Atkinson S
troubled face: whats wrong?"
Il have bad news from home.
don't know how bad until I get there
and find out for myself. My sister
writes - referring to the letter he held
in his hand. .'that they are in great
trouble, and wish me to come to them
at once l can't guess what it is"
go ut once" said Vale, and if ]
can help you-but you know that with
out my telling YOU"
Yes, know" said Atkinson.
In few days Vale received a letter
which ran thus:
DEAR ROBERT-The trouble OF which my
sister wrote is no fancy. It appears that every
thing my mother had she lately invested, by the
advice of a well-me aiming but foolish friend il
securities which have proved most insecure
In short, all is gone. II there were any hopes
of recovering any portion OF it should take
steps to that effect, but it is entirely lost My
mother and sister have no one to loo k to but
life to keep them from feeling this loss. Sc
you see my future has been mapped out for me
without any assistance of my own, and it only
remains for me to carry it out.
In postscript he added: "This set
ties every thing"
AtHnson's absence had seemed to
Vale foretaste of the loneliness that
was in store for him when his friend
III T - hue nj 1N,,{
he read in these curt lines the prophesy
that the future had no such gentle
destiny in store for Atkinson, his
heart ached with q double sense OF
loss, and not even the inevitable sci.
fish thought that their close compan-
ionship need not be broken could suf.
flee to reconcile him to Atkinson 5
altered fate, and so when he returned
the generous conflict was renewed.
1t ended in both relinquishing what.
ever hopes had been cherished; Vale
out of Gu ixotic chiyalrousness; Atkin-
son because fortune was unkind. A :
years passed Atkinson remained an
| avowed bachelor. but Vale at last
made 4 wise choice and married. His
wife was not so young as Lucy More,
but she was quite as charming. with
more richly-endowed nature. and
what fixed her husbands regard, the
wisdom to foster instead of discourage
the friendship of the two men. Akin
son be came what he declared he had
always felt he had great fitness for,
a house friend, and was in and out
at all seasons. consulted by the wife
| rs much as the husband.