Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-04

well W0i-
der, she surely is the loyeliest girl ever
saw 1 wonder who the happy fellow
is What can be the matter with her.
though? She doesn't look a bit like she
| did the first part of the day. I've no
| tiou TO speak to her; an American girl
isn't likely to be so squeamish as
native-here goes
Il beg your pardon" he said aloud.
You look wearied. Do you go much
| further?"
IAN Englishman wouldn't speak with
out an introduction" thought iona, IF
| ne hadn't some design"
1t was some time before the question
was answered, for she was making a
calculation whether if she should tell
| him that her journeys end was near
he would be likely to make the best
| of his time, and attack her Immediately,
or whether he might perhaps abandon
his purpose altogether. So that, as
said, some time had elapsed in the IN
certainty when she said:
Il don't know, sir
You have never been in this part of
| the country before" he said, tenta-
| lively.
She answered in brief monosyllables
| to this and several other remarks, and
he, perforce, relapsed into silence.
HE wants to make me talk and throw
NE off my guard" thought IONA, again
| attempting TO open the window, and
| this time with success. Soon the dark
ness increased, and the hollow rumbling
| told that the train had entered tun-
mel. With the echoes laundering in
/ her ears, Zona's nerves were strained
| to catch any sound of motion made by
| her companion. All at once she felt
sharp sting, and a shrek from her
mingled with the yell of the engine,
as it gave vent to its JOY at emerging
into the daylight again. The man was
ut her side.
81 beg pardon for intruding; are you
hurt?'' he asked, anxiousIy.
| iona thought his anxiety was caused
by fear lest the guard might have heard
her scream. At the same time she be-
came conscious that the pain was in her
right eye. 4 cinder from the open win
dow had lodged in it. IF you will let
me-" said the stranger, producing from
his pocket a handkerchief.
'Chloroform!" flashed through Zona's
brain, and she shrieked out. NO. don't
come near me-"
Poor thing" thought the would-be
Samaritan. "She must suffer dread
fully
Then aloud Il am sure if you would
only
NO. I tell you," said iona. vehement
ly, with stamp of her foot.
| h
iona, with her eye fast swelling. bit
terly repented her temcrity in taking
the journey.
I'll never travel alone again! Oh.
dear! 1 don't suppose I'll ever travel
at all again. have laughed at dear
mamma, and thought her fussy. 1
ought to have considered that she knew
the world better than l."
| And then came a long whistle. The
man in the corner rose, snatcbed up
| his satchel, the guard unlocked the
| door-''Newcastle, ma'am; you're at
| your journeys end" and he picked up
| her valise.
Will Zona Sheldon ever again know
such a sense of relief. or VIII any other
face ever be so welcome to her as was
| that of the burly guard, as he made
this announcement to her? She was
safely on the platform, ard a coach
man narrowly watching the passengers,
stepped up to her, saying, Mr.. Now
bray's carriage for Miss Sheldon"
II am She" she said, in voice which
her mother would not have recognized.
Let me have your vaiize. them" said
the coachman, extending his hand.
He opened the door, and iona. stepping
| into the carriage, sank back on the
cushions and burst into hysterical
tears.
The man who had been in the corner,
standing with his satchel IN his hand,
gave low whistle as the light met his
gaze through the window. Walking
forward TO the coachmap. he said:
Give me lift, Riley; l guess I'll ride
with you
"An right, Mr.. john said the coach
man, lifting up the satchel. Come
down from Edinbro, sir?'
Not directly, Riley. Let me down
ct the gate, and don't tell them I've
como. 1 want to have bit OF joke with
them"
Hall right, sir
$50 that is the travelling young lady
who is to be bridemaid tomorrow, and
stand up with me! If I'm not much
mistaken. she Will be in no condition to
stand up"
He swung himself lightly down at the
gate. The carriage was driven up TO
the hail. iona was helped out and
warmly greeted by her friend Louise,
while Riley, 10 avoid answering ques-
tons, drove away.
The first greeting over, Louise looked
about her.
where is Riley? Didn't cousin John
come? 1 thought may be he would
come with you; he went down to Lon
don a few days ago"
NO. there was no one with me, only
a horrid''-and here Mysteries again
threatened her.
My dear Zona," said Louise, noticing
her agitation, let me take You in; you
are positively trembling with cold
''Oh. yes; do let me get up upstairs
awhile! I had n dreadful time. I'll
tell you ali about it,"
And in Louise's snug room the pros
pecJive bridemaid recounJed her woes.
and was pitied and comforted. and as
sured that she should not be allowed
to go back alone.
Cousin John Pierpont, who is going
to be best man. is going down and he
viii see you safely back. You know he
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