Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-11-21


Hackett family. She had smoothed
the way down into the valley for her
poor, paralytic father, and had paved
the way up the hill of life and into an
eoucatlon for her brothers and sisters,
and was now thinking of performing
the same office for the motherless chill
dren of an older half-brother.
but Cordelia did not look old, in spite
OF the 80 years. Her face was as fair
ano viyacious as the riotous, clambering
roses that essayed to soften and hide
the dilapidated fence; and her eyes
were the same merry, bcwildering eyes
that had proved the joy and torment of
more than one susceptible heart in the
days OF her girlhood. But during these
later years she had been too busy for
such things; and her brusque, business
like manner had effectually prevented
admlrlng glances from developing into
anything verbal.
In spite of its general air of decrepi-
tude, the Hackett place was very pretty
and homelike. Bright flowers and
clambering vines had been Influenced
by Cordelia to screen the unsightly
spots; and it would have been a poor.
heartless sort of mortal who would
have looked behind them for broken
Notwithstanding and tottering pickets.
Birds seemed to like the arrangement,
Tor the vicinity was sure to be melodi-
GUS of bright spring morning; and
butterflies and bees and fragrant odors
also appeared to be we'll suited, for they
could always be found lingering about
the place.
Tap. tap, tap, rang Cordelia's hammer
as she went along the fence, straighten-
ing slanting picket here and driving a
fresh nail in place of a rusty one there;
and tap. tap, tap, sounded firm, ap-
preaching footsteps on the sidwalk.
But the artist Of the hammer did not
notice. Her thoughts were busy in re-
viewing the past and in making plans
for the future. The week before, her
youngest brother had gone into the
world to make a place for himself, and
now she was alone-for the first time in
her life. She had thought to remain in
her pretty, uncovered cottage and
read and study and do just as she liked.
But only this morning a letter had come
from her brother John, inviting her to
live with him and look after his chill
dren. Well, of course she would go;
but it was with a sharp paDg she made
the decision.
Presently the nails gave out, and she
rose with the intention of going after
more. But as she did SO, she saw the
figure of a man leaning on her gate;
and a pair of keen, quizzical eyes were
looking straight into her own.
An angry flush rose to her face, but
was quickly succeeded by a look of
pleased recognition.
For the land sake, Tom Rogers!"
she cried, as she stepped forward and
gave him her hand. "Who ever thought
to see you here! And with such whis-
kersI Why, declare scarcely knew
you! Let's see, it's ten years since you
went out west?"
Twelve, Cordelia; H." he said, smiI
ingly. 'Yor remember it was the year
after father sold his farm. That was
in 's2. Lizzie White had lawn party
the evening before left"
eyes, 1 remember" giving him an
arch look. "You went home with Sadie
Adams, and folks did say"
.sOh, pshaw, Cordelia!" he remon-
strated, you and Sadie were together,
and 1 started to go home with both OF
YOU, but that little Ed Purcell came up,
and you went of with him." Then.
with sudden CONSERVATION: 81 beg