Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-07-22

made up her mind 10 set her yeast, and
then. if he did not come, to walk down
to the village and see what had become
of him
1t was Just a quarter OF nine when the
gate clicked sharply, and a quick, I'M
familiar tread sounded on the walk.
The next moment the door opened and
William burst. in. His manner and ap-
pearance startled Melissa even moro
than his absence had done
For the land sake. William, what's
happened?"
William stood on the door-mat, facing
his wife. His eyes shone- He tried in
vain to repress his happy excitement
at last, with an almost boyish whoop,
Melissa he said, i want you should
get me out five-dollar bill.
We'll, declared" said Melissa.
She took her hands out of the -four,
dried them, and sat down weakly in
chair.
The truth is" William continued,
I've been on a spree, Melissa A kind
of debauch, so to say I've been treat
in the boys down to Hulls. Who? Let's
see. There was the Fiske boys, and
Will ConneH and Joe. some friends OF
theirs from the city, and don't know
who beside; half the town was there.
| give 'em an evenin' they won't forget
in a hurry. And now" he added, pre-
tending to draw long face, I've got to
square up, l s'pose. Never mind; 1t
amt often you get chance to give as
much pleasure as that. I'd a done
| it if I'd had to mortgage the farm.
That's what L said to myself when L
saw them all standin' round so pleasant
and cheerful and happy. III do it,
says if have to mortgage the farm.
Melissa, with dazed look on her face,
took down the old pocketbook and
counted out five dollars in silence. Will
| liam transferred the sum to his own
wallet, and went on describing his adj
venture with loquacity that bordered
on enthusiasm. Melissa regarded him
from time to time with anxious side
long chances; she had gone back to her
mixing. At last she said, in worried
tone: Don't you think, William, you'd
better take little lavender?'
NO" said William, but I'll tell you
what will do. I'll go down and square
want that debt should stand"
"Land!" remarked Melissa; its close
on to ten o'clock"
Il don't care" said William. Il guess
he won't be shut up. I'd rather not let
| the account stand over"
He took his hat and went out. The
truth was, he found Melissa's mood de-
pressing. When a man has made i'm
portant sacrifices in the interest of his
fellow beings, when he has re-
versed all the habits and in-
stincts of a lifetime for the sake of
giving pleasure to others, and when he
believes that his native town is ringing
with the praise of his generous conduct,
it is hard that his wife should offer him
lavender.
He reached HuIrs just as the propri-
etor was shutting up shop for the
night He was greeted with languid
hospitality.
You, William" said Ebenezer.
Lord! you didn't come back to pay for
that soda water, did you? Why, that's
no consequence"
"Yes, thought would" William am
swered, little crestfallen. Il thought
1 wouldn't let it so over" He drew out
his wallet and began to nnstrap il slow
~. How much will it be?" said he.
WELL" Ebenezer PONDER, awning,
'let's see. There was the typ Fishes,
and Joe and Will Conneli, a2d the city
Teller, and Stu Wilson, and Billy Scott.
Seven in all. That'l be IS cents,
guess"
William gazed for a moment, OPEN
mouthed, bewildered. Then without a
word he laid down one of the five bills
he had brought, received the change and
left the store. Once out in the street,
he took off his hat, mopped his face
with his handkerchief, and let the night
wind blow through his hair.
When he reached home, his customary
manner was so far restored that Melissa
said nothing more about the lavender.
Il guess his walk done him good said
she to herself.
In silence he wound up the clock,
brought in an armful of wood, and lit
the bedroom candle. He never again re-
ferred to his spree--Lippincott's Mag
aZinp