Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-04-04

hope, and when you are restored to the
your love for me as am now proud to
possess it."
May Heaven bless you, my dear girl,
for that assurance. It will be the guild
ing star to lead me from this bondage
to the freedom of independence. I
have dared to paint the most glowing
mental pictures of our future, for
have long felt that you would some day
come into my life and reign as queen
over my heart and home. Your father
is growing old, my dear one, and will
no doubt soon be satisfied with the
proud distinction he has won by life
long service of his country, and will
seek retirement that he may pass the
evening of his life in peace and quie-
tude. I will be able to lay wealth at
your feet, and in a lovely home some
where, with that good old man as our
especial care, we will live surrounded
by halo of love which no clouds can
ever dim. Is not the picture pleasant
one to contemplated
beautiful! Beautifulr' she replied,
her face glowing with the new joy
which filed her heart, land pray the
dear Lord that no cruel blow may fall
to crush our hopes. Will you not now
use every endeavor to secure your dis
charge from the service?"
''You must be patient, dear one. ]
must have time to think what is best
to be done. And now, Alice, we both
have part to play. 1t must never be
known that a word of love has been
spoken between u.s. l fully realize
your position, and know but too well
the reproach which would be cast upon
you were it to become known that you
had placed your affections upon a pri-
vate in the ranks, and we must guard
well our secret until / can come for
ward as man and claim the dearest
prize God ever held within the reach
of lovers eager hand. Take one as
surance to your heart, my darling. /
will never claim that prize until I can
do SO as one who stands your equal in
social life, and who can face your IA
Their as man to man and ask him for the
priceless treasure he so dearly loves"
so, / fear / can never hide my love-"
she replied in tremulous voice. when
see you my eyes will tell the story
plainly as words, and when I address
you in the presence of others my voice
will proclaim that which prudence
bids me conceal. I will be very happy,
Edward, yet very impatient for the
day of your deliverance to come. VIII
you not try to hasten it?"
Eyes, Alice, will. After a day OF
two when I have had time to fully
formulate my plans I will write to my
aunt, and the dear old soul will follow
any suggestion I may make looking to
my release. It will not be long ere !
can claim -my-little-wife-"
Her breast was filed with a strange
rapture, and a smile of radiant joy lit
up her fresh young face. For more
than an hour they sat there upon the
rock lost in blissful dream of love, he
painting bright pictures of future
alight with roseate happiness, she
drinking in his every word with
rapturous delight. The sun slowly
sank behind the San Mateo peaks,
flashing back great showers of golden
light to tinge the fieecy clouds with
rare colorings of transparent lowell
ness More and more brilliant grew
the radiant colors as the great orb of
day withdrew its face from the grand
panorama of plain and mountain, until
the whole western skies hung as q
golden canopy above the mighty range.
The lovers sat and gazed upon the
wondrous picture in blissful silence un-
til Alice softly whispered:
''It is an omen of good, my beloved
A forecast of our future when our mar
ital skies shall be ever tinged with
golden radiance from the never setting
sun of love-"
RIO III cozTxuEnl