Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-04-20

known unto these. and to myself disguised
III say as they say,-and persevere SO.
And in this mist at all adventures 60!
Comedy Of Errors.
The soft rustic of silken garments
announced the approach of Mrs. May
nard. 1t drew nearer, and with noise
less step the lady herself swept into the
drawing-room.
North, whose eyes had by this time
become accustomed to the dim twilight,
rose at once with formal bow. To his
surprise he found that his nerves were a
little unsteady, his pulses beating a
little more rapidly than usual. Could
it be that he was excited? The critical
moment had come. He knew that
within the next few seconds his decis-
ion must be made. If he were to retreat
meditated, it must be in the very mo-
ment of greeting Mrs. Maynard; but,
granting that he made this choice,
what acceptable excuse could he offer
for reading note which he was morally
certain was not intended for his Pc
rusal, and accepting an invitation which
it was equally certain had never been
extended to him?
This question which, strange to say,
occurred to him now quite for the first
time, produced a most paralyzing effect
upon him, and for the moment deprived
him of the power Of speech or action.
It might almost be argued in his de-
Tense that he was not responsible for
what Immediately followed, for as he
stood there in this state of fascinated
indecision Mrs. Maynard unconsciously
turned the wavering scale, in which,
nicely balanced, his line Of action lay,
by uttering his name in tones of well
come and holding out her hand to him
cordially. 1t was a small white hand
with solitaire ring sparkling on one
fnger-he noticed that in a vague sort
of way-and it rested in his hand as
lightly as a snowflake.
North realized then that in his mo-
ment of hesitation he was lost; he
therefore gave himself up to an interest
ing study of Mrs. Maynard and a panic
stricken wonder how best to adapt his
manner and conversation to the pecu1-
lar situation in which he had placed
himself.
The first consideration was easily dis
posed of. Accustomed to arriving swift
~ at conclusions, he summed up Mrs.
Maynard in one rapid glance. Age un-
certain. something between twenty-five
and thirty; height 8 little above the
medium; figure graceful and willowy;
hair pale golden, exquisitely fine and
wavy; eyes large, dark and brilliant;
features regular and delicately color
less; manner vivacious and slightly inn
pcrious. A little spoiled and willful.
perhaps, but only delightfully."- so.
Her gown was of black silk, with a
profusion of fine white lace about the
corsage, which relieved the somber eff
feet and seemed to give a peculiar bril-
liancy to her eyes. That faint exquisite |
perfume like hot house roses, which he |
had noticed when he read her note,
hung about her like an intangible pres |
ence. There was an Undesirable |
iaintiness about her that gave pecul- |
lar charm to her beauty; yet with all |
this softness and beauty one could not |
fail to perceive that she possessed some |
strong and decided points of character. |
[nvincible pride and force of will
these two traits were plainly revealed
beneath all the charm Of sweet and |
gracious exterior.
Had North been very susceptible to