Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1898-04-07
TIE OLD SILVER TRAIL.
BY MARY E. SnCKNEY.
tcopyriehs 1896. by }. B. Lippineott Col
CHAPTER VIu.-CoSr1N1rrn

What manner of man could he be, to
thus to her, almost a stranger? While
with more feeling in his voice he added:
1t almost brings swelling in my
throat when think of all she does for
me-of all her 1ove-the dear little
Tnother!"
your mother!" Dorothy repeated,
supposedly. ST did not know
thought, perhaps" she stopped short,
her face crimsoning painfully.
Neil laughed, exquisitely fattered
that she had evidently given thought
to possibilities of tender significance in
the token; but his face grew grave, al
most sad, as he said: 'In all nv life,
Miss Meredith, there has never been
any woman who would do as much as
that for me except my mother. am
almost afraid there never will be-
And your mother-she is in the east,
suppose" the girl hurriedly observed.
Neil smiled, by no means dull to the
little ruse to change the subject, but
he perceived the wisdom of following
her tactful lead. And so he talked of
his mother, his boyhood days and the
old home; passing thence to general
topics, which, although he scarce knew
not only could he talk well on most sub
jects when he tried, but he had that
better gift of the conversationalist, a
sympathetic intuition to draw out the
others thoughts, so that Dorothy, who'll
ly at ease, was presently chatting as to
an old friend
Only once did he venture upon any
betrayal of his deeper feeling, and that
was when their mission to the old hut
had been accomplished and they had
almost reached the main road on their
way back, when Dorothy drew rein,
hesitantly suggesting that they would
better part.
II have been expecting you to say
that" he good humoredly rejoined;
N''and of course it is all right. But be-
fore you leave me, stop while pick you
some of these mariposa lilies; they are
the bluest I have ever SEEM
"They are beautiful; thanks" she said
delightedly, as she took them from his
hand, almost apologetically adding: 81
am so fond of our Colorado flowers, of
everything that blossoms, in fact. I
would almost like to see thanksgiving
for the flowers inserted in the church
service
would you?'' he answered, dreamily,
lingering close beside her upon pre-
tense of admiring the lilies. 81 dare
say we do take too much for granted
in respect to the pleasant things OF
earth. But don't you think there is 4
certain thanksgiving in every thought
of appreciation / like to think we do
not need to put everything into words.
Friends who love each other need not
always be talking to be understood;
and it would seem that the all-embrac
ing spirit of nature that we call our Col
might be in such close communion with
the faltering, tongue-tied soul as to I'M
derstand and even better than the hui
man friend all that we leave unsaid."
ayes, perhaps" Dorothy murmured,
with somewhat of surprise in her
glance.
You do not agree with me quite"
ct is beautiful thought" she said.
doubtfully; "but is it orthodoxy
"Do you find heterodoxy unpardon-
able?''
az did not mean to imply that. And
such heterodoXy as yours" She
looked at him thoughtfully, leaving the
sentence unfinished. But is it salts
flying, do you think, to let things go
forever unsaid?"
Some things-perhaps not. In fact,
it is extremely unsatisfying at times"
He looked at her with something in his
eyes before which her glance fell, while
instinctively she gathered up the rein
as though she would go. For in
stance, it seems a shame that l should
be with you here and not tell you how
often 1 have thought of you since that
worlds fair night; how many times I
have wished that I might see you
again"
You did not think then that I was
Col. Meredith's daughter" she i'm
pulsively exclaimed.
''And do you think that think of it
now-that it counts as anything as be-
tween you and me?" he impetuously re-
torted ITO me you are simply your
self-the little worlds fair lady OF
whom I have been dreaming for year
You arc"
Don't, please, Mr.. Neil" she hur-
riedIv interrupted. You may forget
that 1 am my fathers daughter, but
cannot. And now, really must leave
you. Thanks for my flowers and good
by"
But wait!" he peremptorily inter
posed, coolly Selling her horse by the
bit. ''I suppose must not ask when
there is any likelihood of our meeting
by chance-again."
IF you did, I should tell you that I
have no idea," she quickly returned. |
1T may be for years and it may be
for ever. Can go now, please"
Tell me first that you are not Of
Tended because came to-day"
NO; 1 am not offended" she an
swered, slowly, smiling rather against
her will, as it seemed; butt think |
ought to be, perhaps"
"Oh, but if you're not!" he rejoined,
quickly, hesitating as though uncertain
how much of his thought he might ex-
press. ''It is so much that we can be
friends
But the very best of friends must
always part at last" she returned, rath-
or shyly smiling down at HIM.
(Which means that 1 have really
reached the limit, 1 suppose" he said,
reluctantly, holding out his hand.
well, then, if it must be-good-by."
But in some caprice. due more TO sud-
den shyness than any other feeling, she
rafuSa1 70 coo the Droffered hand mere |