Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-08-03

proof in the cold recognition that her
proud glance expressed as it rested
upon him for an instant. 1t was not
such glance as perfect stranger,
however Indifferent toward him she
might feel, would bestow; under all its
hauteur a flash of passion lay-scorn,
contempt, unforgiving resentment,
which told of the pre-existence of some
kindl;er sentiment. In answer to the
look that she met from his eyes scorn-
ful little smile fitted over her lips,
and, bowling very slightly in recogni-
ton of his presence, she deliberately
turned away to avoid any further
notice of him, and continued the con-
versation which had suffered no break
il consequence of this little by-play.
So quickly had the mutual recogni-
ton taken place that only one person in
the drawing-room besides the two most
intimately concerned had taken cog
nizance of the fact. Mrs. Maynard had
spoken twice to North and he had not
heard her; but when, suddenly recalled
to his surroundings, and the fact that
he must behave sanely while he was
under the scrutiny of so many curious
eyes, he turned toward her with an
effort to resume his usual manner and
expression, she was saying in a low,
satirical tone:
you seem to take a strange interest
in Miss Hilary this morning, Mr.. North.
May suggest that your manner is
little-just little, perhaps-notice-
able?"
North flushed deeply; he had not yet
regaincd his self-possession, as his hur-
riedly uttered words proved.
Il have seen Miss Hilary before, Mrs.
Maynard. We are quite old friends"
he said.
The mocSery in Mrs. Maynard's smile
instantly changed to something else not
quite translatable, but suggesting utter
disbelief in his statement.
Indeed" she said, coldly. NO one
would have suspected this from your
manner of meeting her here two weeks
ago.
My manner Of meeting her" North
abruptly checked the indignant dis
claimer, adding, desperately: There
has been a misunderstanding, Mrs. May
nard, which l cannot explain now, but
in a few days more l shall be at liberty
to speak. In the meantiae-will you
no. pity rather than condemn?"
It was an involuntary appeal wrung
from him by the fear that before he
could have an opportunity to plead his
cause before Myra some malign fate
might iaterposc and separate them
again. Ii he regarded Mrs. Maynard
as the impersonation of that fate his
heart must have failed him, for marble
could not have been more cold and pitt
less as she turned away from him with
the words:
UNLESS you deserve condemnation,
you surely do not require pity. Your re-
quest is confession, Mr.. North"
She left him then, in order to receive
some one who had just entered the
drawing-room; and North, reviving as
if from the effects OF sudden dash Of
cold water, found his wits sufficientlt
to resolve upon an Immediate departure.
He had succeeded, after waiting few
po1nents for the opportunity, in max
ing his adieux TO Mrs. Maynard, and had
reached the drawing-room door when
Williams confronted him with mes
sage.
Maj. Maynand's compliments" he
said, bowling low, land will Mr.. North
please come up to the majors study for
a few moments?"
1t flashed upon Norths mind instant
II that there must not appear in his
manner the slightest hesitancy about
complying with this request, and he
therefore assented at once; but he was
in no euviable state of mind as he fol-
lowed Williams up the broad staircase.
Oddly enough he had never calculated
upon the probability of his being COM
PEELED to meet Maj. Maynard, and he
had not prepared his mind fo. such an
emergency. He had no time now to do
more than to rally his self-possession
and nerve himself to meet the unex-
pected in whatever shape it might pre-
sent itself to him. falling back upon a
measurably clear conscience as sus-
tanning factor.
The majors ''study"-so-called, al
though there was nothing in the APP
pointments of that luxurious den or in
the occupations daily pursued within
Its four walls to warrant such desig-
nation-was situated near the first land
Ing of the winding stairway.
fro BE CONTINUED