Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1895-01-31

and she told me of it, and I hated her
for speaking. I've thou ght since over
that letter. and the pain it must have
caused her to write.
Eth, well, that's all past and done
with. died. l was full of conceit in
myself and thought an American for
tune was easily made, even if it was
sometimes lost with suddenness. Pah.
never reached the first rung of the
ladder. l never rose above labOring
with my hands at unskilled trades: and
it was being constantly shown me how
l was an Indifferent laborer at that.
mo. I've missed it badly. and all
through my own shortsighted fault. l
might have had wife, children and
stately home. What / do have is my
share of the queens wet highway and
weary aches to lie down upon. OF my
self l shall never now be more than
ana broken waster. But there's one
thing I won't do, and that's ask help
from her. She'd give it me if 1
sought for it, she'd call me back as her
husband if she knew me to be alive,
she'd share with me willingly what is,
perhaps. after all, legally mine. But.
no, I'm id if 1 do. Shes good
woman, and I'm what they call in the
stat ties mean man. Yes, mighty mean,
and down at the heel, not at all white;
but I've made my bed. and 1 won't re-
make it, even if 1 have the chance.
Things are uncomfortable. but guess
they won't drag out much longer"
He sat heavily down on the wet way
side turf. his legs dangling over the
ditch. Ten years; ten terrOrs for me.
Ten years for her thinking herself my
widow. She's had the chance to marry
again; / heard all about it. Leslie
asked her. the only man L was jealous
of before | won her for myself. She
likes him, | know: she always did; and
for him she's the only woman in. the
world. But she wouldn't marry him
for all that, though he could have
given her love, title. more wealth, yes,
everything a woman could want"
A crunching noise made the tramp
turn his glance. \ smart carriage
with pair of ponies was coming up
round a turn of the wet road. A
woman was driving; man in livery
sat behind. The tramp gazed for a
minute with starting eyes; then turned
away and with bowed head faced the
and clenched his hands till the nails
drew blood.
The noise of the wheels ceased. and
there was the sound of rustling skirts.
The tramp also noticed the faint smell
of sealskin. but he kept his back reso-
lutely immovable.
George
The tramp did not stir. trembling
gloved hand was placed on his wet
shoulder.
George, look up. 1 know it is you"
Woman, go away. You are making
a mistake"
Look me in the face and repeat
that"
II will not. Ican't."
She slipped down to seat beside him
on the sodden turf. and the groom at
| the ponies heads felt his jaw drop down
through wonder.
''Oh, Louise, why can't you pass me
by? l only came for a peep. / didn't
| intend you to see me-God knows 1
didn't. It's all yours now. and I'll not
take fraction away from you. 1 have
chosen my path like the scoundrel that
was. and | must keep along it. 1t isn't
| fit that | should turn back now
Yet You must stay now that 1 have
found you"
Il tell you l cannot. You would not
| ask me if You knew what have been,
| how vilely have sinned against you.
Don't shake your head: it is true. If
you won't credit that, listen-
She threw her arms around his shout.
ders, pressing him fercely to her
breast Dear" she said, you have
come back to me. l know that I do
not want to know any more"
The tramp tried to pluck himself
from the embrace without avail. Then
| he lay against her furs and shuddered,
but made no more resistance. Louise
Carr had taken back her husband
J Black and White.