Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-09-21

queer! But then it comes from queer
man"
Hush, Huldah!" reproyed Dolores.
who. as the eldest, had taken the letter
from me and was tearing it open.
who knows bat he has sent usfa thou
sand dollars"
mo danger" murmured Huldah, as
Dolores began to read aloud:
DEAR SIS: want you TO come over next
Thursday, the 18th. on the Ais train am
going to make my viii We must arrange
about Win and Sweetheart too. Bring one.of
the others with you. IGNArIus LEGGETE."
A sheeted ghost arising from be-
meath the floor and sitting SOL
emily in our midst could scarcely
have created more of sensa-
ton than this epistle. What could it
possibly mean? It was an open secret
among rs that Blanche and Will Hen
dip were very fond of cath other. Did
grandfather know this, too, and was he
about to bestow his blessing upon
them and to ask our advice in making
this will? Such unaccustomed thoughts
as these were too great for our poor
brains. We sat there dazed, staring at
each other helplessly. At length
Dolores asked faintly:s
Girls, which of US is 'Sis?'"
We looked around at one another as
though we were going to see the magic
letters appear upon the brow of the
chosen one Then with one accord we
turned our eyes toward Huldah. She
was, as l have said, our beauty. We
had always longed to dress her in tho
soft silks, the rare laces, the cleaning
jewels, that would have set off her ex-
quisite face SO perfectly. She seemed
lovelier than ever to US at this moment
when we all felt sure that it was she
whom our grandfather had chosen for
his heiresa After a short silence,
Dolores spoke the thought OF three Of
our minds.
you are the one, Huldah. Three
cheers for Grandfather Leggett!"
AS soon as she could be heard,
Huldah cried:
IAN or none, girls"
And then we all began talking at
once like a lot of chattering black
birds.
Our excited discussion resulted in the
decision that Dolores, as the eldest,
and Huldah, as our unanimous choice,
should go down to Kockmeadow on
Thursday afternoon. This settled, 1
began to wonder what our mothers
rightful share in the Hendip property
had been. inquired of Dolores.
II haven't an idea But you know
mammals grandmother was a Hen
dip and there must have been some
thing"
Possibly" said Blanche. "Ignatia,
door 1,.;n ha o..
archives"
'Ignatia. DEAR" sped away, return
ing presently with small japanned
box, which contained our deeds, insur-
ance papers, receipts and bundle Of
thin, blue documents bequeathed to US
from a remote ancestry. We searched
thoroughly among them, but no light
was thrown on the mystery of our
share of the Hendip property.
Thursday morning dawned bright
and clear. At the breakfast table
Huldah announced that she was going
to array herself in all the collective
finery of the whole Dalrymple brood.
''We must let grandfather see that
we understand the use of money"
But" demonstrated, looking
around the room, '.you cannot wear
mahogany furniture nor silver spoons,
and those constitute our entire stock of
treasures"
you forget that old trunk of Aunt
Medora's cast-of gowns. You just
wait until you see me ready to start"
81, said Dolores, "am going to wear
the worst rags 1 can find, SO as to let
him see how much we need some
money"
A burst of laughter greeted this very
practical resolve.
In ample time for the 4:15 train,
spective rooms. Dolores looked sweet
frock, with coarse straw hat tied
down under her plump chin in big
blue bow and a white muslin kerchief
crossed upon her bosom. A conspicu-
Gus and beautiful darn on the outside
Of one sleeve betokened poverty and
skill-with- the-needle happily com bined.
We were still adniring her, when
the rustic Of silk fell upon our wonder
ing ears, and Huldah sailed into the
room We held our breath and we
gazed on this radiant vision. Her
slender figure was arrayed in a close
fitting dress of dark-red silk, most be-
coming to her brunette beauty. It was
simply made. but the rich material fell
in soft folds and the creases Of time
were deity concealed by stitches here |
and there. A lace shawl, old fashioned |
but handsome. was draped artistically |
about her shoulders Upon her head |
was a small bonnet of the prevailing |
mode, copied from the last Bazaar and |
from she only knew what |
scraps of ribbons and feathers. Her |
own best, long tan gloves, our one !
string of gold beads and lace parasol |
evolved from my sunshade and a lot of |
black tulle, completed this truly artistic
and stylish attire.
We all approved them to our hearts
content. and they started off in high |
spirits. l went, too. presently. down |
to the parsonage, where 1 had an ap-
pointment with Mrs. Appleby. leaving |
at home alone. We had none |
of us said much to her about the unex-
pected good news concerning viii Hen
dip and herself in grandfather's note. |
We felt, some way, that she would |
rather have good talk with VIII first
But we were all just as happy over It as
we could be, and / could not help Civ
ing her a very tcll-tale kiss of glad
ness when left her. She put her arms
around my neck and hid her face on
my shoulder for an instant.
isn't it lovely of grandfather she
The narsonace is half a mile down