The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-09-02

praise tst his festivity, and told him
that the entertainment had been
blended astorishment and delight Mrs.
Kennaird, who had not danced, but who
had watched the cotillon with her
grand air at its grandest, whispered TO
her prospective son-in-law, Just as he
was slipping from the room, having IN
his hand a card which servant had
lately given him:
"Your tribute TO dear Kath cen has
been perfectly enchanting
80 glad your like it-so glad" re
turned Alonzo, as he receded from the
lofty lady's view.
The card which he held was from his
uncle, Mr.. Crawford Lispenard, head of
the great banking house, Lispenard &
Chichester.
'fMy dear Uncle Crawford - he said,
grasping the hand of big man with
iron-gray side whiskers, who stood in
the hall. I'VE meet so seldom, and
when we do meet it shouldn't be like
this know you hate society, dear old
boy. Still, you'll come up and see my
sweetheart, won't you? Tn giving her
little afternoon dance. You know,
Uncle Crawford, you and she must meet,
sooner or later. Why, you're sort of
pale and queer looking. What's the
matter?"
'Alonzo,r said Mr.. Crawford Lispen-
ard, in a husky voice, IL must speak
with you, and speak quite privately"
Alonzo's eyes swept the face that he
knew so well and dearly loved. This
monetary potentate, the prince Of
finance, his dead fathers trusted broth
er, who had been TO himself and his sis
| ter such n model OF all devoted guar
| dianship, in trouble 1t seemed incred-
ible
You're somehow not YOURSELF he eX-
claimed, momentarily careless of the
watching footman. ''Oh, Uncle Craw-
ford. it isn't~-and he drew back with
| laugh on his lips, but an anxious cloud
in his gaze. 1T isn't any nonsense of
mine that you've been hearing of?''
No. no, Lonz Can't we be alone to-
gether soon2 III come back later, or
you'll come to me- and the gentleman,
little bewidered. turned toward the
door, reaching forth a luttering hand
as If to grasp its knob.
Alonzo caught that hand between
both his own. He had held 1t for an
| instant before, but not till then had he
realized how cold it was.
Light my studio at once" he said to
q servant, recalling that the winter day
had now completely darkened. The
man sprang upstairs to obey his bid
! ding. and Aloazo followed him at his
uncle's side.
The idea of your rushing off Ike
that. Uncle Crawford, You come here
so seldom that you're not 70 be released
SO easily when you do come"
The long, melodious wailings of the
waltz music tloated Up to them as they
assembled the stairs. After several sec
onds Alonzo suddenly turned 10 his
companion
Upon my word, Uncle Crawford, 3"
he recommended. If there were any
bad news that you could bring me, 1
should imagine you had brought it
| now
Mr.. Lispenard paused. They We're at
the door Of the studio. He put a hand
on his nephew's shoulder and stared
/ gloomily down into his face.
Il do bring you bad news, my boy. l
/ i bring YOU horrible news" he said.
Alonzo felt himself whiten. In a
/ fash he OWNED what was meant 1t
: could only be one thing. The ground
! swung beneath his feet as he passed
with his uncle across the threshold OF
| the studio, and closed its door behind
/ them both