Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-05-21


asked, when Marie, going out, closed
the door softly.
why, don't you know, sis? I'm
II, of course. Almost grown up"
Beatrice laughed a peculiar little
laugh, half gay, half sad.
almost grown up! Jules, do you
know you are at a terrible age? Too
old to be treated as a child and not
old enough to-" Beatrice paused.
$40 go out riding with Sidney
Marsh? Is that it. Bea?" Jules asked.
looking up ~squarely and frankly in
the lovely face above her.
''That depends" Beatrice said,
shading her face with a diminutive
japanese hand
ION what does it depend?" Jules in
ferring her gaze to the burning ash
logs.
ION what Sidney Marsh says to
you, and you to him." Beatrice an
swered, and because of the jeweled
dragons on the screen Jules could
not see her face.
HE is as nice as he can be, and l
love to go riding with him. We talk
of all sorts of things-and people
and sometimes he says the incest,
prettiest things. Bea, dear, n ever
heard. | like him ever so much. /
would tell you-only-I promised
Beatrice started up quickly from
her graceful, lounging attitude, and
taking Jules flushed and happy face
in both her hands, looked steadily
down at her.
Jules! Jules! You remember you
promised faithfully, you would tell
me everything. Has Sidney Marsh
dared to say anything-has he asked
you any promise?"
"NNhy, yes. He made me swear
would not tell you a word of what
he said and Pm not going to, sis
darling. 1t was nothing dreadful
1t was delightful" and Jules laughed
again gayly.
But Beatrice rose and, ringing fol-
her maid, looked white and almost
stern, if so beautiful a face could bt
said to look other than tender ant
lovable.
"You need not tell me anything
Twill see him tonight" Beatrice said
then turned quickly to give variou:
directions, as the chimes of her clocl
warned that Comus and her severa
''call outs" for the maskers' quadrillt
would not wait her convenience, ant
that her bachelor uncle, an elderl,
clubman, who took both pride ant
pleasure in the social success of hi
niece, would be waiting for he.
shortly.
"You must dance a lot with him
Bea. He is the incest man in town
and awfully good-looking. Don't yo'
think him Handsomely" Jules wen
on, gayly, without waiting for an an
swer, and presently n of Chopin
delirious waltzes, sounding faintl,
from the library, seemed to indicat'
to Beatrice an exuberant happiness
and faith in the future.
A faint sigh disturbed the laces o
her gown and made the jeweled sta
holding them in place culver and puI
safe.
Il made the mistake of thinkin
him finer and better and more trust
worthy than other men," she though
bitterly. Honest looks and SINGER
ity? BAIL"
. But Sidney Marsh shall new
learn that Beatrice Shelbourne wa
silly enough to take his pretty glide
speeches for pure gold. Nor shall h
trife with Jules. My darling, ligh'
hearted, splendid Jules, l will max
| him understand tonight"
Monsieur Shelbourne fait dire
mademoiselle quill est tard," Be;
, trice's maid said, gathering up he
mistress ieweled fan, silver embroit
+ cred wrap and huge bouquet of rose
while Bea stood slowly drawing O
q her long gloves.
isn't she too lovely for anything!
Jules exclaimed, ~rapturously, as Be
? came in the drawing room with a
, apology for being late, to an arist'
cratic, gray-haired elderly ma
S standing on the hearth rug slipping
glass of old port.
Very charming. You understar
the art of dress, my dear. Or yo
e have the sense to go to the leadin
f artists of the world for your gown
e You are right to trust to their insp
ration. A woman who can afford
dress should always go to Paris" hi
uncle said approvingly taking hi
wrap and placing it lightly arour
her slim, perfect figure, with the ski
t of a courtier well accustomed
such Offices.
e bravo, uncle! you did that sple,
didly. There is only n man as nil
as you are in the whole world" JUL
e exclaimed, kissing Beatrice gently
4 if afraid to mar her radiant beaut
Sand that is?" her uncle querie
looking sharply from under h
quickly drawn brows, at Jules.
W Sidney Marsh. Who else could
d be?" Jules answered gayly.
d Beatrice gathered upher long shil
mering, sweeping skirt and went OF
her uncle following, with her roses.
J; The click of little satin slipper'
II feet sounded on the polished floor
Ie the hall. 'She is the loveliest, swee
est and best sister the sun ever shol
J, on Jules thought.
IS "If she would only like Sidn'
W Marsh" she added regretfully, goil
n back to the fire as the quick trot
r. horses sounded down the street.
a Jules shifted up the sweet scent
n iris and violets which as far ba'
IS asl she could remember was alwa
a with Bea, and lapsed into an ar
= chair and a mood.
1T "What does the child mean? Not
S ing serious, / hope" Keith Sh'