The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-02-22
DEEPDALE'S OPERATOR.
How Guy Halle ton Found q Long,
/. Lost Fiancee.


man whose mental caliber. was far
above the average and ditNample JUS
tice to the educational advantages
that had been layished upon him.
4 lie was handsome man and heir to
the Ilazleton property = two facts
quite sufficient for society to receive
Aim with cordial welcome, and when
irene Curtis accepted his hand society
smiled approvingly.
Miss Curtis was acknowledged to be
the belle of her circle, and being the
only child of one of our merchant
princes the engagement when an
nounced caused quite a flutter.
Mrs. Hazleton, Guys mother. was
the first to call upon the fair fiancee
after her sons offer had been &C.
cepted. She found Irene, her hands
idle, her large eyes looking far into
the future.
One word reused the young girl.
Darling"
Then followed long, close caresses,
that told how warmly these women
loved each other.
$50 am to have a daughter" the
old lady said, lovingly.
"And | a mother. see so little Of
father that he is more like a friend
than near relation"
"You know Guy goes to New Or
leans next week, and will not return
until May. He thinks it will take him
three months, at least, to settle his
affairs there; and he will be ready for
Europe again. shall be getting your
house ready, Irene, and you must aid
me in trying to keep Guy at home"
~"He has been home now, how long?"
"Not quite year." said the old lady,
abruptly; 'do You know how lovely
you are? know Guy could never have
married an ugly girl. He worships
beauty. l think there is something in
his sensitive nature that positively re-
coils from defect
There were other calls of congra tn :
lation, and week passed swiftly over
Irene's head before Guy started upon
his journey to New Orleans, with the
understanding that the preparations
for wedding in June were to be
pressed forward during his absence
Irene found herself SO busy and SO
happy that over her day dreams of
future content not one fOreshadOwing
cloud warned her of the storms that
were to break upon her life.
She had been spending day with
Mrs. Hazleton, and together they had
visited stores and selected dainty goods
for the beautiful trOusseau in active
preparation. When they reached
home, gentleman to see Mrs. Halle
ton WAS announced to be waiting her
return, and Irene ran lightly up the
stairs to remove her hat and cloak,
room. Her visitor proved to be the
confidential clerk of Mr. Curtis. with
an appalling story. Irene's father had
heard that day of the utter failure of
speculation IN which his entire for
tune was involved, and had committed
suicide. In the hours of grief Irene
learned more fully the value OF a friend
who loved her as daughter She was
not allowed to return home; the
funeral, the sale of her fathers house
and property, the weary details of
business were all taken out of her
hands, and she was allowed to nurse
her grief in seclusion.
Just, one week after her fathers
death Irene received a letter, which
she took at once to Mrs. HaZleton. 1t
was from relative of whom she
heard for the first time, brother of
her mothers. He wrote to her, in
forming her that her mother had been
poor factory girl at the time of her
marriage, and that her family had
never intruded themselves into her
luxurious home.
Il am poor man." he wrote, earn
ing my living as telepragh operator.
put have home to offer you. You
Will miss the luXuries of your fathers
house. but l will give you comfort
ZONE to me now, or at any time when
you need a home''
Am | very poor?' the young girl
s1,a,. realizing for the firAt time that
hor .. +l,c, death involved also a loss
of property.
Are you not Guys promise wife?"
said the old lady, reproachfnlly. Your
home is here, Irene, until you Aeave it
as Guys wife. Write to your uncI e. my
child, and tell him yotAr mother CT aims
YOU until your promised husbana re-
turns"
But the letter was bsver written. ~
was long past midnig6t OH the night
following this conversation "hen
Irene was reused from sleep H cries
Of pain from Mrs. Hazleton's r. on
SHE ran at once to meet sight on hS>
ror. Her old friend had fallen asleep
over the fire and slept until her book
had fallen Upon the hearth, caught
iira from Il coal and communicated the
iialuc to her dressing gown. When
Irene reached her she was in blaze
One moment of hesitation increased
the frightful peril. In an instant the
little figure was wrapped i'll thick
blankets from the bed, pressed closely
by Irene's strong arms, while she cried
aloud for help. The flames were sub
dued, physician summoned, and the
sufferers injuries dressed before Irene
thought of herself. Not then, not un-
til days later, did she fully realize that
she had saved life and lost her
beauty. The burns were not severe,
but one side of her lovely face was
drawn out of shape. Mrs. Hazleton's
injuries were serious but not mOrta
and Guy was not summoned home.
May had arrived, with its balnny air
and fresh foliage, and Mrs. Hazleton
was able to sit up the greater part OF
the day. She knew well that much
of her rapid recovery was due to
Irene's careful nursing. Now Guy was
coming, and the tender nurse would
have her reward. The noon train
would bring her son home.
Now, Irene, dress yourself. See, II
;s almost eleven O'Clock and Guv will