Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-07-08
WILLFUL EMILY.
BY JENNY WREN.
ffnoN'T, Miss Emily. dear. do,..r..

1y AHSICohs WAS only 0OuSekeep6T
al the Hall, but from long and faithful
service, and the fact that the girl who
had just thrown herself in such care
less grace at my feet had lost her
mother when almost too young to re-
member her, / felt more privileged
than perhaps my position otherwise
would explain. Not child of my very
own could be nearer my heart than was
the spoiled, lovely little mistress of
Carlton Grange. The squire was too
busy with his chase, his hounds and
horses to spare much time to the treas
ure which in reality lay nearest his
heart. To give her her own way, to see
her always beautifully dressed at the
head of his table, to view with proud
eye the slight, graceful figure perched
fearlessly upon some fayorite horse,
TO allow no one to cross her from her
infaHcy-here he considered the duties
of father ended, and certainly, so far
as begetting a most ardent love be-
tween the two, it worked admirably,
though, as to the real good of my lady,
/ am by no means sure.
"And why not?" she questioned, in
answer to my protest. II don't love
him. II hate him."
She was speaking of her cousin Ar
thur, but as she finished, the pretty
head, which had borne itself so de-
family, went down on my lap, and the
burst of tears which followed disproved
the truth of her assertion.
No one could have seen the two to-
gether and not acknowledge their fit
f1T- oah rr4H
cousins a second time removed, faint
likeness was perceptible, but Arthur's
mouth indicated greater firmness, and
the will which was so necessary in the
encounters between the two. He was
the only one who did not give up to
Miss Emily, who sometimes thwarted
her, but always so gently, so tenderly,
yet, withal, SO firmly, that think here
In lay the very secret of his charm.
There was no regular engagement be-
tween them, but it was an understand
ing for all that, although half the
young gentlemen in the county were
contestants for the prize, but, save lit
tie harmless coquetry, she gave them no
encouragement.
I could but smile as l stroked her
pretty golden-brown hair, while yet
her head lay in my lap, at the very
April shower which was all of grief my
darling had ever known, for, ere had |
quite finished my few words of COM |
fort, applied. 1 scarcely knew to what, |
she had once more sprung to her feet, |
and in a few moments could hear her |
sweet voice carolling through the halls. |
Then under my window / heard the /
imperative order to the groom: Saddle |
Bess, Tom, and bring her round at |
once"
She's hardly fit 10 ride, miss, this |
afternoon" the man respectfully an
swered. 'She's skittish at the best of |
times, and she's been so long unused |
I'm most afraid she'd prove too much |
for you."
'Al the better" was the reckless an
Swer. Bring her round at once
CHANGING from my window as the |
voices reached my ear, saw Mr.. Ar !
thur sauntering up the walk He
quickened his step little, as he over |
heard the discussion, saying, very
quietly, as he approached:
Surely, Emily, you will not be so |
rash as to mount Bess to-day? You |
must not think of such thing"
The girl turned haughtily toward |
him, surveying him a moment in ST
lence; then, as though remark were I'M
necessary, turned again to the groom:
do as you are bid, Tom. will now
dress"
Emily, for my sakeI" 1 heard him
say in a low tone, but the contest of the
morning in which her will had been
forced to bend made her determined /
now"
You are OBTAINING me, Mr.. Traf-
ford" she answered. 81 shall have
barely time for my ride"
You must not, Emily; indeed you
must not My uncle would not wish it,
and in his absence must prevent it,"
The color famed like a crimson rose
into the girls cheek.
"How dare you!" she exclaimed,
stamping her little foot. "How dare
you speak so to me? If you have ever
considered yours the right, il is can
celed from this moment Heaven help
the woman you would make your wifei
She would be your slave. Give her my
warmest sympathies, Mr.. Trafford; l
offer my congratulations"
The young mans fact flushed hotly,
and he shrank from the words as from {
a blow, but he had no time to answer, !
for Miss Emily had already flown past {
him into the house, and 1 saw him turn 5
and walk slowly to the stables.
In a few seconds more the groom
brought the prancing animal, molding 5
firmly to the bit while Miss Emily
sprang lightly into the saddle. She !
seemed such a very feather TO manage
the spirited horse, yet / could not help
the thrill of pride as 1 watched the tiny /
hands bring her into such quick subjec- /
ton, and the straight. 1.-THE young figure {
sitting her seat to such perfection.
The groom stood watching her anN-
ously down the avenue, but / was not
when she had once disap-
Deared from view, although greatly re-
ieved to see Mr.. Arthur leap into the
saddle and follow her. l knew, himself
unseen, he had determined TO keep her
II sight, and | somehow felt safer to ,,
know she was in his charge. Cruei as
lad been her words, he loved her too
we'll to heed them at such a time.
The afternoon slowly passed away. ,
What was it that caused such shadow /.
IF dread to creep over my heart? Some
low, could not shake it of. From time }
10 time / would steal away from my
,ther< duties into my darling's room,
where everything so reminded me of a
her, picking up the articles she had