Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-06-18

E
bility of meeting old friends. There
is sometimes, too, a sort of COMPEL
ing DESIRE" she said coolly.
The music came III soft waves.
Shadows yentured from the shelter.
ing trees and enveloped them. The
world was gone, there was only this.
Her face shone white in the dusk.
A pair of lovers passed slowly down
the path with heads bent close to-
gether, she listening, he speaking
softly, both lost to the commonplace
world. Watching them the man for
got to reply.
Poor little foolish girl! Amt you
sorry for herr" There was a tiny
catch in Miss Dorothy's voice.
'Why?" he asked, when the two
down the path had been swallowed
up by the shadows.
Because she must wake, some
time, from her dreaming"
And he??"
Miss Dorothy laughed in her pretty,
care free way. He? Why, he's quite
wide awake now. This is just a small
side issue with him. There is the
world-ambition. He cares for fame
or wealth or a high place among
men,"
But what are these things weighed
against a mans love?" She knew
the tone, the sweet thrill that made
the question it's own answer. "If
he loves her"
"He doesn't" she interrupted with
careless haste. "They never do.
Hasn't it been two hours yet?" Sup
pressing a little yawn.
"Only a half of one," he answered
crisply. From the dusk that hid the
path farther down came the sound of
low. sweet laughter. The lovers were
returning.
Miss Dorothy stood up. This is
too bad for you, Dick-I mean Mr.,
McAllister. If I knew any n else
if there was a way to get back-I am
severely punished for running away
from home! The children will cry
themselves to sleep. 1t is too bad.
Perhaps L shall be able to find some
one who knows me; then you can ga
back to your sick gardener"
They were under one of the electric
lights now, and she leaned toward
him, smiling frankly.
you are very good to be Sc con.
cerned for my comfort" he said,
stiffly.
"I knew you'd understand" she an,
swered sweetly, moving aside to let
the lovers pass. 'That was always
n Of your charms"
Il am glad to know that there was
one" he said with a short laugh.
81 remember that you were not
vain" she said, carefully reflective. 1t
was glorious to feel her strength like
this. And now she knew. 1t would
be time enough to think of that when
she should be at home.
A girl running swiftly down the
path met them in the full glare of
light.
sob, sir, is it you? / came by the
rectory for you. We'd heard of the
break down and 1 thought my father
might-might die without a prayer,
sir, and Mrs. McAllister said you
were GONE"
did you alarm my mother?!" He
laid his hand on the girls arm
"No, sir, I remembered how careful
of her you are; but will you come
with me now
katy, Katy! / left you with the
children!" Miss Dorothy exclaimed.
Sand I'd have stayed, mann. but
Mr.. and Mrs. Durant came and my
father is ill.,
you'll find him better" the
preacher said gently, and Katy ran
down the path and the two were
alone.
Dolly, are you quite sure that a
mans love is a thing apart from his
life?"
Quite" she answered firmly.
"And yet it is you who are for
getting while / remember"
about the lovers just now?" she
asked.
"About the lovers of long ago.
Didn't you know that | loved you,
Dolly? And l thought you had not
waited. L thought you were Mrs.
Durant."
Miss Dorothy looked at him with
eyes that were severely grave. "You
thought that-and you looked at me
.,-~
-as-you did?"
"Were you not just a little to blame
for that? | half thought So" He
laughed in his low, sweet way.
And Miss Dorothy, being a wise
woman, reserved her w mistake for
a secret that only she must ever
know. She held out her hands and
he took them, and Katy coming back
from her fathers cottage stopped
with a little gasp when she saw Miss
Dorothy and her pastor, stopped for
one confused moment, then discreetly
took another path.-N. O. Times
TN~-