Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-05-30

| were lighted. the guide. finding him.
self in a reminiscent mood, upon being
| asked why he sought those wild re-
gions, told the following story: 81 was
born in West Virginia. My father
was prosperous farmer, and lived
on the farm until l was twenty-five.
In the meantime / had fallen in love
with the daughter of a neighboring
farmer. 1t was ten years ago this
month, and we were soon to be mar
ried. 1t was just such a night as this.
The moon shone in all her splendor,
and the little stars seemed to twinkle
with delight, trying to add to the
beauty of the night. As l approached
the old farm gate, where my promised
bride had met me SO often, and where
we had so often renewed our VOWS of
love, the world never seemed so fair to
me. My heart was as light as the air
| breathed. l thought of the rosy
cheeks, the marble brow, and the ruby
lips, whose kisses I believed were Civ
en- only to me. But when I came in
sight of the gate, instead of one form
/ beheld twoi Yes-another man held
my love in his arms, and saw him kiss
her upturned lips, and then I fed like
one pursued by demon! l passed a
sleepiess night. and early the next
morning started for the wild west.
'.And proved yourself fool and
wrecked the life Of the sweetest girl on
earth!n said Anderson, who was trem-
bling from head to foot.
"Who are you?" said the guide,
springing to his feet with his hand on
his ever ready revolver.
Il am Charles Anderson, who was
lost at sea, the brother of Mary Ander-
son. l am he whom you mistook for
a hated rival. And twas / who held
my sister in a loving embrace and kiss
ed her pale cheeks because she had
tainted from joy at seeing her brother,
whom she had long mourned as dead.
And. villain, she waits at the old farm
gate for you to-nightr'
But the last words were lost on the
ears of the guide. With a groan, he
sank TO the ground and covered his
face with his hands. The party who
haG all risen looked on in silence.
Anderson was beside himself with pas
sion. Nine long years he had sought
the man before him, and now that he
had found him under such peculiar cir
cumstances, he was goaded almost to
frenzy by the mans doubts of his poor
sister.
"She is 20 years older than she ought
to be-" continued Anderson, .'Her
step. once light as a fairy's,is now slow
and uncertain. The cheeks so red and
rosy, are now pale and wan. The
once bright eyes have a far-away,
longing look, and all for you, base viii
lain that you are!''
The scene that was being enacted
away in that lovely forest would have
done credit to any stage. Ford fell On
his knees in front of Anderson, and as
he stretched out his hands in humble
no pen could picture the ex-
preston of sorrow on his face"
20, Charlie" he said, '.for Gods
sake and your dear sisters forgive me,
and [ swear to devote the remainder
Of my life to atone tor my inexcusaole
mistakei Oh, must have been mad
to doubt her! Let us return at once to
the old home of our boyhood aud all
that love and devotion can do shall BE
done to restore health and happiness
to sweet Mary Anderson!
Charlie, you know am no coward.
1t is not fear that leads me to plead |
with you; but, On, how l long to see |
that sweet face once more, now that l |
know the strength of her love and de- |
votion!'
During the touching appeal the
features of Anderson had gradually |
:oftened. He took step toward Ford |
and said. '.Oh, Jim, the old home
steads are mortgaged to bear my ex-
penses in my long search for you.''
You shall not lose dollar on my
account said Ford. Il have wealth
enough to buy both the old farms, and
will pay off all the debts. y
Il forgive you, Jim," said Anderson
rs he took him by the hand and raised
him to his feet
.God bless your said Ford. s.As
soon as I have escorted this party to
he mining camp we will return to the
cast to the homes of our boyhood"
just three weeks after the scene in
he woods on the lonely trail in Ore
son, Mary Anderson stood at the old
'arm-gate. when. just as the twilight
vas fading into night. two horsemen
ode up and dismounted. They had
litched their horses before they notic-
ID the slight form leaning against the
I'D gate post where Mary Anderson
lad stood watching and waiting so
ong.
s.Oh Charlie" !" she said as she rec-!