The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-15

horse ran away in Maine l held on,
and that red-headed young maj said 1
was game"
She looked at him wiclledly out of
the corner of her eye. \ little smile
curved her pretty mouthas she saw the
wrinkle on his forehead.
Il wish that You could be serious for
a little while" Oliver muttered. 81
want to talk to you about something
that concerns your future-something
that has happened"
Oliver hesitated now; how could he
tell her? She listened with her eyes on
the carpet. doleful expression on her
face. lie went of on a new tack. In
an easy conversational tone he asked:
Would you not like to live in
France?"
NO" she said, promptly; 81 should
hate it."
''Why?"
Observation-Disclosures" answered Mrs.
Minny, picking viciously at one of her
roses, scattering the petals on the
floor: from Henri's descriptions his
relations must be horrid. Then he or
they think America queer and not
nice; everything is France. l should
be mad a hundred times a day. The
English up in the park used to say:
This blarsted country, you know un-
til l felt like saying: why don't you
60 back to England and stay there?'
To the De Restauds l should be the I'M
pleasant foreigner our poor son mar
ried; in my own country l am myself,
an American. think it is very mean
of you to talk about my going to
France; and if that is the serious thing
you needn't talk any more. If you are
going to be horrid l think l shall go
out and take my dog for 4 walk"
How sweet she was in her willful-
ness. Oliver forgot his errand, looking
at the lovely childish face with it's
pouting mouth and rebellious eyes.
Il think you are cruel to my poor
rose" he said, softly.
You are cruel to me-"
''Minny," he drew nearer and took in
his firm warm clasp her little hand, Il
must tell you something-something
that will shock and grieve you. Try
and be brave"
Not the little baby?" she cried, pit
eously. ''IIe is not dead?"
NO, no; but some one is dead-one
that you feared, almost hated, and now
must forgive and try to think kindly
of-the man whose name you bear"
She gave a frightened cry and hid
her face against his sleeve. He could
feel her tremble and culver, but she
made no sound. What must he do?
Would she faint? How did women act,
anyway? He put his arm around the
covering figure and tried to look into
her face. She was CHASTITY pale,
in her eyes a curious frightened look.
My dream, Mr.. Oliver" She cried,
shuddering. "Oh. he will keep his
word; he will haunt me always. l
shall go mad from fear. Last night
that was him. He looked just as he
used to when he woke me up making
faces. am all alone. What shall do?
Oh, if Aunt Hannah were only here! 1
could creep up to her in the night. She
is so brave; she said she wouldn't be
afraid of him, living or dead"
"'MiDny. you are talking fool;shly,"
said Oliver, sternly. NO dead person
comes back. 1 am ashamed of you.
And to be so silly, so heartless, when
that poor soul is lying dead.''
You don't know anything about the
dead: no one does" she gasped. My
grandfather was drowned at sea, and
that night he came and knocked at
Grandmother's door-his old knock
three times. Even Aunt Hannah says
that story's true. l can't be sorry
truly, can't. was afraid all the time;
and he was so dreadful. l gave him
all mammals money, and he took her
jewels, everything of value. l am not
a hypocrite, Mr.. Oliver; l can't maFr
up sorrow just to please you"
Il don't want you to-" he whispered,
close to her ear. They were alone in a
corner of the big room, and no one
could see. Il spoke hastily because /
hated to think of that dream and how
you would make yourself believe he
came back"
TO BE CONTINUED.