Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-05-05

| Sucn rdOldnL happiness upon ms lace
that she shrank back, no less in shy
CONSERVATION than for the surprise of
| the encounter.
How did you know was here?" she
faltered, nervously.
How could 1 help knowing to" he
gayly returned, looking about for 4
| seat for her. The rocks were water
worn into strange shapes, in one place
a couple of pines throwing a pleasant
shade upon a sort of bench followed
out below, a spot effectually hidden
from the Grubstake side of the hill.
But won't you sit down and let me
take time to get my breath before I
try to explain?"
She made no objection, being herself
| considerably exhausted from her hard
climb in the rare air; but an air of con-
straint was upon her as she settled her
self in the place indicated, with doubt
full side glance watching him choose 4
seat by her feet. Il thought this was
Grubstake ground" she observed, ten
tatively, as he looked up.
$50 it is he admitted, his face fall
| ing somewhat at the tone of the remark.
Il cannot claim any right here, except
what you may concede. But don't send
me away, please, until I tell you-ah.
| there are so many things l want to tell
you! l was coming down to see you
this morning; should have come yes
| terday, but 1 could not make up my
mind what you would probably wish
whether or not you would be yexed if I
came openly to see you; but to-day 1
could wait no longer. 1 determined to
come, and if your father were there to
see him, and tell him frankly all that
you are to me-all that 1 hope. ODoro-
tbyi-Dorothy, don't go away!--listen
+, to me, dear!" for she had arisen hur-
riedly, moving away from him.
"Oh, can't!-You must not!" she eX-
claimed, breathlessly. Don't you know
that after what has happened, we can
not be-friends? We were divided be-
fore; but this-it is insurmountable.
7 puts us apart forever!"
but how can we help being friends?"
he cried, rising also, and reaching out
for her hands as he came close beside
her: but she thrust her hands behind
her with a repellent gesture, retreating
yet more from him. Can you honestly
tell me-after what has happened-that
you are not even my friend, Dorothy?''
No she said, after an instant's hes
itation, her voice very low, her face all
a warm. pink flush; and then, with evil
dent effort: Il did not mean quite
that"
You meant that we could not be more
than friends-waS that it, Dorothy?"
his voice very grave.
"How could we-how could it be
otherwise than impossible with the feel
ing you must have for my fathar?"
she returned, in choked murmur, yet
with eyes bravely lifted to defy his
pleading glance. "Wait-let me eX-
plain" as he would have spoken. Il feel
sure now that you were right from the
first-that you have been wronged, most
of all in that wickedly fareical trial of
day before yesterday. It has been
mostly McCready's work; my father
has been misled-deceived, to certain
extent; of that am convinced; but he,
too, has been to blame-I know that
now as well as you. And it has almost
killed my love for him-but not my 10y
atty. He is my father, and he has been
devoted to me all my life. l owe him
everything; and 1 could not be-any-
thing-to one who hated and despised
him
And would you break my heart mere
~ on his account" the young man
urged, impetuously. "Doyou know what
it means to mellow much / care?
Do you know, Dorothy-how can you
help knowing that 1 love you-]ove
you?" He half reached for her hands,
but then, as though in shame for the
tears that had risen to his eyes, turned
abruptly away from her. 81 know you
do not care" he added, in muff1ed
tone, after moment. IF you did, you
could not stand there coldiy reasoning
and settling the matter like that. You
would let nothing come between US.
And why should you care for me? Yet,
if l were given a chance-Dorothy give
me a chance! Let me teach you to love
met"
PERHAPS there is nothing more potent
to stir a woman's heart than such signs
of feeling in the man in whom hitherto
she has seen only the side of his virile
strength and pride. Dorothy was
strangely touched as she looked up into
those tear-wet eyes. mo; oh, no." she
whispered, drawing back from him,
but the tone was weak, almost tender,
and despite the denial, his face bright
ened-
Tell me- he eagerly exclaimed, ''tel!
me, Dorothy, if 1 had had no trouble
with your father-if there had been
nothing to prejudice you against me
could you have learned to care for me,
do you Think"
- don't think l am so very much
prGjudiced against you" she faltered;
then alarmed for the radiancy of de-
light the small admission had called
into his eyes, she hastily added: But,
Of course, as things are-oh, you know
it is all out of the question"
Neil answered nothing, looking into
her averted face with such intent
when she had endured it for moment:
please DON'T"
Neil smiled at the childish plea. 81
believe you do care for me just little
bit, sweetheart" he murmured. caress-
ingly, reaching out as though he would
boldly take her in his arms.
But she drew away from him again.
with little shrug of her shoulders and
a lame attempt to appear mistress OF
the situation. Il suppose it would be
srperf1uous to remark upon your mod
esty, Mr.. Neil" she said, lightly. And
I must go. Papa will be waiting for