Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-01-31

inquiries that Cassels' most unmusi
cal voice broke in:
SWELL, Iolanthe, old man." as the
speaker laid a hand on Dunbar'a
shoulder, "f you have got all the
fashion pointers you need and have
entertained enough of your interest
ing contributors, let's be hoofng it
home"
In SPECIFICS horror Dunbar gazed
into the face of his friend, and saw out
swing back and a pale, set face look
ing at him.
"Oh, 1 beg your pardon!" said Cas-
sells, thunderstruck at this ~apparition.
81 thought you were alone" He was
conscious that he had given his friend
away, but happily ignorant of the ex-
tent of his ill-doing.
rs this the person." asked Miss
Tressilis, in a dreadful voice, and lay
ing considerable stress on the word
person. who writes under the
name of Iolanthe?"
"Why, you see," CasseIs was be-
ginning, with a very red face, when
the girl turned on Dunbar.
Are you Iolanthe?" she asked.
sharply.
There is not much use in denying
it," replied Dunbar. Yes, 1 am"
ST should not think it would hurt
you much to deny it, said Miss Tres
silis, with bitter scorn, IAN untruth
or two extra would not make much
difference"
Il think. old man, 1 will wait for
you in the library said Cassels, and
fled ignobly.
Il am not ware of having told any
untruths," said Dunbar, trying rather
unsuccessfuIly to assume an air of
offended virtue. 81 do not think ]
have stated anything hat was not
strictly SO, and besides, l was anx-
ious that my secret should not leak
out"
$50 you are Iolanthe," said Miss
Tressilis. looking at him with an ex-
preston which called the blood into
his face. You, a man with a strong
body and with brains, and yet you
prefer to twaddle to a lot of women
in print instead of doing a mans
work"
You spoke differently of my work
just now" replied Dunbar, a feeling
of annoyance overwhelming his EN-
barrassment. Il don't think you
characterized it as twaddle them"
"That was when I thought it was
written by a woman" replied the girl.
"Oh, it is horrible! CHASTITY! To think
that you have read my letters. How
hatefully you must have grinned over
them. You are not very likely tic
marry, MIR. Dunbar, now that you
lave seen what an unutterable donkey
a woman can make of herself"
This was a change of front with a
vengeance.
81 told you Just now that I heartily
disapproved of women's pages" re-
piled Dunbar, but you disagreed with
me. ] am at least consistent"
"And you mean to imply that I am
not, I suppose, but how dare you call
yourself consistent? IF you disap-
proved, why did you lend yourself to
encouragement"
I'VE have to do a good many un-
pleasant things in our business" re-
piled Dunbar, rather weakly.
Unpleasant? Dishonorable, YOU
mean" replied Miss Tressilis. mo.
pray, don't try to excuse yourself, you
are not only dishonorable. but ridicu-
lous, and l." and she added, with a
little gulp, 81 suppose l have made my
self ridiculous too, but then l didn't
know, and you did. L think I will wish
you good evening, Miss Iolanthe.
No, thank you. 1 can find my own
way back without an escort. I should
say chaperon, L suppose" And with
these words Miss Tressilis arose and
departed, leaving her companion look
ing decidedly crestfaIlen.
When Dunbar went down alone to
the cloak-room, he found Cassels wait
ing for him with contrition stamped
on every line of his features.
81 am awfully sorry, old chap" that
young man said. 81 wouldn't have
skipped out if L hadn't seen hat you
both would rather have had it out
alone. Was she-was she one of your
Congregation"
"Oh, all right" replied Dunbar, !
shortly. 81 suppose it had to ON
put sooner Or later, though the time
was rather inappropriate. Yes, she
was one of the flock, all right"
"She didn't seem to take it very
kindly" ventured Cassels, with a live
ly recollection of a set face and flash
ing eyes. "Was she mad?"
"Just a little" replied Dunbar, with
a mirthless laugh. "Oh, yes; she
called me disonorable and ridiculous.
and left me standing there feeling
both. And the worst of it is that h
is Just the incest and sweetest girl ]
ever met; but my goose is cooked
now. She will never recognize me
again."
"Oh, yes, she WILL" replied Cassels
hopefully "She is hot now, but she
is sure t. be interested in you"
"Yon can bid good-by to Iolantke,'
said Dunbar after a short silence, 81;
long and fond farewell. Tomorrow:
after I have had a little talk witt
Bluenose, Iolanthe's funeral will be
with neatness and dispatch
and you fellows won't have to strair
to keep our wives and
from finding out who
she is"
sand the paper?" queried Cassels.
"The paper?" replied Dunbar. with
.mphasis-"the paper be darned."
= = - = =
1t was just a year after the Wal
colts party that Mr.. and Mrs Dun
bar sat in their little drawing-room.
NJ - -,