Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-11-04
4 GOOD FOR NOTHING.

D o1 THIS Nlrtuous family. Don't say No
An accurate knowledge of my relatives
assures me that they have been as
frank on this occasion as on many
similar ones in the past.
Jack Dangerfeld delivers these re-
marks in his LATEST drawl, looking up
from his place on the hassock at Ethel
Mason's feet, in the half-lighted, de-
serted parlor
They are all alone tonight, for Mrs.
Dangerfield and her daughters have
gone to some ball or reception, whittier
Cousin EthePs little cough would not
permit her to accompany them. As
for Jackie never goes to balls or
receptions; he eschews society in gen
eral, and that of his family in particu-
lar.
L haven't heard your sisters speak
Of you very often" says Ethel, hest
tating as memory leads her back
through the fer. conversations which
have had Mr.. Jack for a text. They
were explicit enough, if brief and far
between
NO, I suppose not; but when they
don't speak they imply, by signs and
hints, that we could an if we would
and so on, as Hamlet said. So be it.
/ would not deprive them of such
pregnant theme for all the world, only"
he says, quickly, and his gray eyes
6arken and flash, 81 could find it in my
sheart to wish that they had spared you
the recital, that might have fair field
and no favor with my Cousin Ethel"
"Your Cousin Ethel admits no out
side influence to bear on her friend
ships" says the girl. smiling; "and
you know that we are fast friends-yOu
and Il
Are we? Yes, believe we came
to a mutual compact of that sort;
friends as fast as hopelessly good-for-
nothing, God-forsaken fellow and an
ignorant, innocent, little tender-heart-
ed woman can make. You sit afar off
with your folded hands. and your white
garments held up safely out of the
mud, and feel sorry. in an angelic fash
ion, for my sins, and look out of
the pit and think how I might have
lived for you once, and wish to God 1
might die for you now"
Jack Dangerfeld's lazy little drawI
is quite gone; the storm of a sudden
fashion has swept all the languor and
world-weariness from out his dark, dis
-contented face.
Jack"
He stops her before she can add an
other word.
''Hush!" starting TO his feet and
standing tall and straight before her,
and looking down at the little sidelong
leaning figure and the upturned face.
81 knew it would have to come-I-E
can't have my Cousin Ethel for my
friend. I must lose all, because I"
'Oh, don't, Jack-don't say it," she
cries, his meaning flashing upon her
with pure pain and pity. ''Oh, what
have 1 done?"
''Done! What God Himself can't
undo, unless He kills my soul with my
body. l shall love you through all
.eternity-love you and hunger for you
as 1 do now, Ethel" and he bends over
her. his hands upon the chair. Ethel,
let me alone for minute-just one!
Don't answer me; let me have my
dream for that little while, before the
bitter wrench comes, as know it must"
There is a hush in the room as he
turns away. He walks to the window
and leans his forehead against the
pane, staring out into the blank street.
The clock ticks on and the ashes drop
these two. on whose hearts every sound
falls with a shock, every minute drops
leadenly.
ETHEL"
He comes at last and kneels down
by her, stretching his arms out over
her lap and looking up, haggardly, as
If he were praying for pity at a shrine.
ooh, Jack! I'm so sorry-so sorryl''
cause she cannot bear that look in his,
or that craving quest of the great gray
eyes.
Jack Dangerfield is quite still for
minute, only he draws his breath with
one hard sigh.
"Are you sorry for me?'' he says. at
last, in a whisper God knows need
it,"
I'm so sorry, I'd give up my life to
to comfort you, Jack, if you'd only
let me be your friend-your sister"
There is a grim, heartsick smile on
Jacks mouth at this purely womanIy
suggestion. His teeth shut together
for a minute till they grit, and he turns
his face away.
Ethel, between you and me there
never could be any other love but-but
the one, and that's impossible. I've
wiped the last chance out years ago,
and I knew it when looked in your
face the first time. / never was mad
enough to hope it, child. l only used
TO think of it sometimes-how it might
be il I had new life to live, and your
hand to hold all the way"
He drops his head on her knees, and
the little, soft, womanly hand crecps
over it, touching the dark hair pitifully.
lack. is it very hard to bear?"
"God keep you from ever knowing"
he says, hoarsely-
He has shown me-" whispers Ethel
Mason.
Jack lifts his head up with start.
He looks into her eyes, and sees in them.
for the first time, the strange likeness
of his own despair.
.sWiIl you let me tell you something?
Sobodv ever knew it, and nobody ever
xviIf-except You. 1 want you TO know
~ sorry can be for this. and-and-
~ II is so utterly impossible had
INV chance of happiness once, Jack,
1-;tb = pitiful little smile, land killed
= mvseif-the only love ever cared for
"a wanted, or ever shall, put away
from me-just by my own folly; and