Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-06-01

1istlessly relaxed were interlnced now
In q convulsive clasp that caused their
sparkling rings to send ont quivering
rays of light; she turned SO white that
even her lips were perfectly colorless.
Breaking of abruptly in her restless
pacing, she turned to North with pas
sionate eagerness and seemed to be on
the point of addressing him, Of utter
ing some vehement demand. The white
lips parted, but as If the look that she
encountered from his steady gray eyes,
the conscious power OF mystery that
like an invisible atmosphere surrounded
him. had frozen the words ere they were
Uttered, the protest. demand, appeal
whatever it was that had so nearly
forced itself passionately upon him.
died on her lips, and only faint, quiz
ering sigh escaped them. Then she
sank down in chair, still white as
death; all her cold self-possession, all
her magnificent hauteur replaced by
look of pitiful despair. If ever proud
woman's heart could break, then surely
in that moment Mrs. Maynard must
have felt the bitterness OF that ex-
perience.
Was it feay? Was it remorse2 Or
what was the emotion that had thus
strangely unnerved her? North could
only speculate; the certainty lay beyond
his present reach.
A death-lilze silence fell upon the
room. It became oppressive to North;
he finally spoke again, his low voice
ringing out on the stiffness in clear ae-
cisive tones:
''Mrs. Maynard, will you act -,no1
my suggestion? Will you heee ,.y
earnest wish and advice? You d., not
know, you cannot realize, all that may
be at stake, or you would not hesitate
for one moment. am not advising you
at random; have viewed the case from
every possible standpoint. and can see
no other course for you to take. For
myself shall offer no defense. / am
prepared to face whatever consequences
have incurred. Already our own law
yers suspect us; to-morrow-this very
day-the truth may all become known.
There is little time for you to act; your
resolution must be taken at once. Will
you promise that you will do as have
advised?''
There was no trace of ightness or
mockery in his manner now; so intense
| ~ lALcICStCu WAS uC III C1lc ItSulU Oh
this last bold venture that an earnest
ness quite different from anything that
he had yet exhibited made his manner
seem almost as tragical as Mrs. May
nard's.
She started to her feet, the color
flushing wildly, over her white face; a
| singular light, half defiant, half tender,
but full OF suppressed excitement, came
into the beautiful brown eyes; a certain
impulsiveness, which under ordinary cir
cumstances was only half suggested in
her manner, seemed to take possession
| of her. She looked for moment as if
suddenly lifted from the depths of de-
spairing grief to the heights of sub
lime daring, sacrifice, self-abandonment.
North rose quickly. He had dim
sense of impending danger, confused
intention of quelling the storm that he
had evoked, before it could break upon
his head. But fate kindly interposed
in his behalf.
There was the sound of some one at
the drawing-room door; starting a lit
tie and turning toward the door, Mrs.
Maynard controlled herself by visible
effort, and said, in her ordinary tone:
y
The footman, thus hidden, presented
himself with low bow and his habitu-
al air of apology.
''Maj. Maynard's compliments" he
said, land will Mrs. Maynard soon be
ready to driver
Eyes, Williams. In half an hour.
Tell the major so," answered Mrs. May
nard, with irritable haste.
The footman promptly retired; then,
turning again toward North, Mrs. May
! nard continued with an evident effort
to speak lightly. though her tone and
words contrasted strangely with the
death-like pallor of her face:
''That dreadful man! He insists upon
my driving with him this morning, and
he will not be put off, though have
pleaded every possible excuse. It is
very rude to send you away, Mr.. North,
but the majors will is our law, and he
has to be humored like child"
North slowly walked across the draw
ing-room with his head bent and his
eyes fixed upon the carpet until he
reached the arch doorway with it's
sweeping porticre; then, turning
around, he lifted his head and looked
calmly at Mrs. Maynard across the
little distance separating them. There
was faint flush of excitement on his
face. smoldering fire in his eyes,
curious touch of repression in his man.
ner; strangely, too, suggestion of
triumph that he vainly sought to sup
press.
81 am obliged to go now, Mrs. May
nard," he said, slowly, ''but shall see
you soon again. In the meantime I ask
you to consider very seriously the sug-
gestion that have offered. 1t is vital
ly worthy of your attention"
Again the color came and went in
her cheeks, her breath futtered and
her white fingers closed convulsively
together. 1t was evident that at his
words some powerful tide of emotion
had swept over her, almost overwhelm.
ing her with it's force, but, quickly raj
lying, she controlled herself so reso-
lutely that both voice and manner
were icily calm when she answered him.
"Your suggestion, Mr.. North?" There
was delicate sarcasm in her tone as
she repeated the words. sit is unworthy
of mel will not give it second
thought! Have you so little true idea
of me, then? Do you really believe me
to be capable of the utter heartlessness
of such course? Oh, never. Even if
did not blame myself SO bitterly for
this-and my self-reproach is unspeak-
able.-I could never consent to take
such course as that. Whatever conse-
quence may threaten YOU, whatever
consequence may ovcrtalSe you, in