Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-06-28

out the single word Yes and when it
| did come out it was in husky, unnat-
| ural tone.
There was silence for moment,
and then the daughter spoke il calm,
clear voice:
Ono good can ever come of false
hood. mother she said. Let US be
frank with this gentleman. We did see
Mr.. Drebber again
"'God forgive you" cried Nine. Char
pentier, throwing up her hands and
sinking back in her chair. You have
murdered your brother
ARTHUR would rather that we
spoke the truth the girl answered
firmly.
"'You had best tell me all about it
now 1 said. 'Half-confidences are
worse than none. Besides, you do not
know how much we know of it.
Ion your head be it, Alice!' cried
her mother; and then, turning to me:
I will tell you all, sir. Do not imagine
that my agitation on behalf of my son
arises from any fear lest he should
have had hand in this terrible affair.
He is utterly innocent of it. My dread
is, however, that in your eyes and in
the eyes of others he may appear to be
compromised. That, however, is sure
ly impossible. His high character, his
profession, his antecedents would all
forbid it.
Your best way is to make a clean
breast of the facts answered. De-
pend upon it, if your son is innocent
he will be none the worse
"'Perhaps, Alice, you had better
leave us together she said, and her
daughter withdrew. Now, SIR she
continued, Il had no intention of tell
ing you all this, but since my poor
daughter has disclosed it l have no
alternative. Having once decided to
speak, l will tell you all, without omit
ting any particular
LIT is your wisest course said I.
"'Mr. Drebber has been with u
nearly three weeks. He and his sec
rotary, Mr.. Stangerson, had been trav
cling on the continent. l noticed 4
Copenhagen" label upon each of their
trunks, showing that that had been
their last stopping place. Stangerson
was quiet. reserved man, but his en-
ployer, 1 am sorry to say, was far other
wise. He was coarse in his habits and
british in his ways. The very night
of his arrival he became very much the
worse for drink, and, indeed, after
twelve o'clock in the day he could
hardly ever be said to be sober. His
manners toward the maid servants
were disgustingly free and familiar.
Worst of all, he speedily assumed the
same attitude toward my daughter,
Alice, and spoke to her more than once
in way which, fortunately, she is too
innocent to understand. On one occa-
sion he actually seized her in his arms
and embraced her-an outrage which
caused his own secretary to reproach |
him for his unmanly conduct
but why did you stand all this?' 1 |
asked. 4 suppose that you can get rid |
of your boarders when you wish
"Mrs. Carpenter blushed at my
pertinent question. Would to God |
that 1 had given him notice on the |
very day he came she said. But it |
was sore temptation. They were
paying a pound day each-fourteen
pounds week. and this is a slach sea-
son. l am widow, and my boy in the
navy has cost me mucn. I grudged t.,
lose the money. / acted for the best.
IhlS last was too much. however, anG
l gave him notice to leave on account
of it. That was the reason of his
going
"'Well?'
"'My heart grew light when I saw
him drive away. My son is on leave
just now, but 1 did not tell him any
thing of this, for his temper is violent,
and he is passionately fond of his sis
ter. When | closed the door behind
::.c:n load seemed to be lifted from
nay mind. Alas! in less than an hour
there was ring at the bell. and
learned that Mr.. Drebber had re-
turned. He was mach excited. and
evidently the worse for drink He
forced his way into tic room where I
was sitting with M daughter, ard
made some incoherert remark about
having missed the train. He then
Earned to Alice and, before my very
face, proposed to her that she should
1y with him. "You tire of age" no
said, land there is no law to stop you.
have money enough and 70 spars.
fro BE cUyTUv1,Hn.1