Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-03-28
ssYOu will find ma a dull comma nion

"You will find me dull companion,
fear, Mr.. Vandever. I came out my
self TO endeavor to wear away half
morbid feeling. You can ride with me
Il you wish
Thank you. 1 am sure neither Of
Us can feel blue in such charming so
ciety. How's that for double-acting
compliment? Ha! ha! hal"
Very clever, but you rate your own
powers of attraction higher than do
mine, for l assure you that will be
anything but charming companion in
my present state of feeling"
Miss Sanford is always charming"
he replied, with smile that seemed to
lose it's vitality and fade away into a
sickly grin. Perhaps a gallop may
serve to rouse our spirits. Come"
Their horses dashed away and for
half mile they rode rapidly. Then
refining her pony down to a walk Alice
said:
Il must not distress my horse with
too hard riding. Let us walk our ami
mails awhile"
"A very beautiful trait in your char
acter, Miss Sanford. It is an evidence
of gentle disposition and a sympathetic
soul, and It causes me to admire you
more and more. if that were possible"
The young girl, with just a tinge Of
severity in her tones, replied:
Mr.. Vandever, an honest comp1i-
ment from a gentleman to a lady is
always appreciated, but detest frothy
praise that is bestowed through what
some gentlemen may believe a sense Of
gallantry."
80, but I assure you my words come
from the bottom of my heart; but if
have annoyed you sincerely beg your
pardon, and will not offend again"
Il hope you will not. Mr.. Vandever.
If you wish to talk tell me something
of your academy life"
He began running description Of
some of the sports and pastimes at
West Point, and really interested the
girl with his boyish enthusiasm as he
detailed his superiority in many of the
games.
1t was at this time that Brown
emerged from the draw and leveled his
glass at the couple, his heart aching
with pain and apprehension at their ap-
parent sociability.
y
from his favorite topic, however. and,
as was his delight when he could get
any of the younger officers to listen to
him, he began to recount his flirtations
with the girls during his academic
days. A spirit of mischief possessed
the young girl and by an interjected
word now and then she seemed to take
great interest in his prowess in the field
of love, and led the half befuddled Of
fcer to believe that she was looking
upon him as a gallant whose charm Of
manner was irresistible in schoolday
affairs of the heart. His silly gush
amused her greatly, and her seeming
admiration of his generalship in love-
making increased his boldness, and she
was almost paralyzed with fright and
indignation when he said to her:
But they We're mere moths futter-
ing about an electric light, Miss San
ford. There was not a womanly soul
among them. Oh, had met there such
a queen among women as yourself no
silly cadet-struck butterfly of fashion
would have won smile from me.
lieutenant, but some day I will be a
colonel, a general, and you would be
proud of the love of such a distin-
guished man. 1 do love you. my dear
girl. my queen of beauty! 1 have long
loved you in secret, but never dared"
Lieut.. Vandever, how dare you!"
she cried, in anger. You have been
drinking; 1 can detect the fumes Of
liquor on your breath, or you would
not be so mad as to use such language
to me. Leave me at once, sir, instant
ly, and never dare speak to me again,
or will acquaint my father with your
conduct. Co..