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

on mad OGEI6T let INC sec ACE eye
at all vents said her cousin. IF you
don't she will not be fit for duty to-nor-
row."
'.Zona." said Louise. as she came in
after dinner. Cousin John thinks you
had better let him examine your eye.
He saws it is dangerous to let The in
fammation run on, and he thinks it
will be quite well tomorrow If you get
a good nights rest"
well. if you wish it. don'twant to
spoil your wedding, after ALL"
Miss Sheldon, my cousin, DR.. Pier
punt," said Louise, as she ushered in the
doctor. iona, whose vision was much
| impaired by the sore eye, did not rec
oonize him as the man in the corner.
He merely bowed.
"a clean pocket handkerchief,
Louise he said, cheerily-
At the sound of his voice IONA looked
up quickly. 4 twinkle shone in John
| Pierpont's blue eyes.
Now, Miss Sheldon, one moment and
| it is out he said.
what instant relief" exclaimed
IONA. Thank you, doctor"
"You are quite welcome" he replied.
'sBy tomorrow I hope you will have
| quite forgotten it
There was little sleep that night for
Zcna Sheldon.
What little idiot have been! How
| could 1 have imagined such things of
him? He is tall and powerful-that was
right. But dark and murderous look
| ing. WHY, he is fairer than 1. What
/ blue ewes. and what pleasant smile!
| Oh. how can [ meet him in the morn
| ing? l wish Louise had not told him."
But sleep came al last. and IONA woke
radiant as ever. She dressed and went
| out into the park to settle how she
should meet DR.. Pierpont. But it was
settled for her; a sudden turn in the
path brought her face to face with him.
| A moments confusion-a flush that
| dyed her whole face, and then the smile
on his became contagious, and she
| burst into a peal of merry laughter,
which he echoed.
"Dr. Pierpont," she said, II hope you
will be merciful and keep my secret"
II am not likely to tell a secret SO
1uuch to my disadvantage. What was
lit? Villainous-"
please, DOCTOR" she implored, L
did not notice your looks at all. I had
| parted with my senses"
VERY well, then" he said. 1T is a
| compact. Let US go back to the house
| for breakfast and say no more about 1t.
Had not the whole household been
absorbed in the wedding, they must
| have seen that there was a secret under
standing between the compatriots
which quickly ripened into intimacy
"And iona is to go back TO London
under your escort, john" said Louise.
provided she is not afraid to travel
with me-" he said, with laughing bow
to iona.
| \ smile was her only answer.
| They were seated-the sole occupants
| of the compartment.
"Will you tell me one thing?" said
iona What was it you took out of
your satchel and put in your side
pocket?"
so you don't wholly trust me, even
| yet he said, with a smile. ct was
| mirror You looked at me with such a
Mortified face that l thought there
must be something wrong with my
looks. Now, will you answer me ques-
ton? Had you made up your mind
what to do if worst came to worst? ,"
yes" she said, laughing. II was
going to take off my watch and ring and
offer them to you, as well as my purse.
fancied you looked at my ring partic-
ularIy."
II did, he said, after pause, "be-
cause, you know the finger you wear it
on. May l ask, Miss Sheldon, if there is
any particular significance in it?"
ut was given me by my mother" she
said, simply.
Then" he said, Twill you give me
the right to put one on that finger?"