Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-12-29

ages which she had purchased at the
country store six miles distant.
1t was the last day of Decem Der. and
= lovely afternoon. There was no
snow on the prairies of southern Kan
sas tc welcome in the New Year to be-
gin on the morrow. Cattle fed on the
wild grass, and red birds fitted glee-
fully among the sunhower stalks that
lined the roadside.
Suddenly Bessie became aware of the
approach of horseman across the
prairie to her sight. Something in the
manner of his riding told her who it
was, and a warm flush spread itself
over her fair face.
''Good morning, Bessie" he greeted
her, refining his horse in by the side of
her pony, and looking the love which
he could not conceal.
Good morning. Tom," she returned.
somewhat confused under his beaming
gaxe-''I-I mean MIR. Hartley" she
quickly corrected herself.
LET it be Tom as it used to be" he
pleaded.
IF it wasn't for that old FUSS" she
returned.
Bother that old fuss! We needn't
l.
do" he laughed. There's no sense in
leaf down. But if they don't it's New
,gin new one ON our own account.
I'm bound to win you"
But the girls face looked uneasy.
and she strove to change the subject.
''When did you get home, Mr.. Hart
.loy?"
only this morning, Miss Fowler"
iIa.tating her formality. "And behold
how 1 am repaid for my devotion.
Hang the Mr.. Hartleyv"
-'Oh. Tomr
THAT sounds better, if the tone were
sonly more cheerful. See here! I'm
:going to ride back with you to Big
Elm, and have q talk with your
fathe.."
Bessie. knowing her father as she
did might have warned Tom of the
Nselessuess of such an interview. But
A1e was SO handsome, SO much i'm
proved by the two years spent in a
northern college, from which he had
Just returned: then what girl does not
possess sufficient faith in her lover to
believe him capable of accomplishing
whatever he undertakes, even to the
storm,ng of an obdurate parents
heart?
So. side by side. the young couple
rode away together toward Big Elm,
an isolated country post Office. kept by
Bessie's father. Here. twice q week,
the scattered settlers and cattlemen of
chat region received their mail. which
was carried from o little railway
station thirty-seven miles to the east
Tom Hartley, o handsome, manly
fellow of twenty-four. just home from
1goOd college, was tho SON Of q pros
porous ranchmap. who lived nearly
eight miles from Big Elm. Time had
been when his and Bessie's fathers
were famous friends. As boys they had
grown up on adjoining farms in Illinois.
when men they had married play
mates. two lovely girls, and with their
families had come to Kansas. They
had formed a partnership in the cattle
business, and for several years they
had prospered reasonably well. Mrs.
Fowler and Mrs. Hartley were on terms
of the most sisterly intimacy. Tom
and Bessie went to the same little dug
out school, and laid the Foundation of q
lasting attachment. which strengthened
With the years that brought the ranch
.ex's boy TO noble manhood, and the girl
% winsome womanhood.
Then had come the disagreement.
Fowler bad grown tired of the cattle
business and wished his partner to buy
him out At last Hartley consented.
bot In the settlement there was some
txiling mistake made. It was In
Haxtley's favor. aud Fowler had &C