Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-04-09
which way did duty and Justice lie:

She grew white and thin with the
struggle, and when an attack of
grippe laid her aside, it was almost a
relief to give up and endure physical
discomfort. One morning when she
was convalescent, and resting on Q
couch in the sunny sitting-room, the
maid came to say that a lady wished
to see her.
81 told her you had been i'll, ma'am,
but she said to say that she wants
most particularly to see you, and
begs you will see her for a few mo-
ments, if it will not tire you," said
the maid.
"Very well, Jane. bring her in"
listlessly answered the invalid. Those
who loved her never called her plain;
her eyes were beautiful; the whole
face depended upon the expression,
lighting up with every passing emo
ton; and the daintiness and perfect
neatness of her dress was an added
charm.
Into the room came a young wom-
an, radiant with health and beauty;
with the happiest, sweetest face, bear
ing sunshine with her. Going quickly,
impulsively, to the couch where the
heartstricken woman lay, and Selling
her hand, she said:
"Thank you very much for seeing
me. Will it tire you to talk a few
moments? l am in town for a few
days, and could not bear to go home
without seeing Ralph's wife. They
tell me that he is away in the wilds.
1 did not send in my name, because
Mrs. Moore perhaps, is strange to
you, but your husband must have
mentioned Jack Moore and Grace
Girton."
All! little did she know the agony
that last name had caused her! 81
see you hesitate; | don't believe he
has mentioned either of us. just
like him, too-the dear old goose
because it was some one else's secret.
So l must begin at the beginning
Here she stopped and poked up the
pillows, drawing the wraps over the
invalid's feet; wondering the while
if illness alone had brought that
sad look into her face. "You mus,
know that Ralph wass brother Wits
best friend, so they were much 80.
gether, and he was often at our
house; in fact, | anne in for some
teasing on his account, and am afraid
I let it pass to screen my w af
fairs. You see, Jack Moore and
had always cared for each other
but Jack never settled to anything
and father took a violent dislike t.
him, and forbade him to come to the
house. He said he would have moth
ing to do with a man who could moi
prove himself enough of a man Il
work for a wife, and make a career
for himself. l thought it awfully
unkind of Daddy, though now | know
he meant it in love for me-. I was
heartbroken, and one day when Ralpl
was waiting for viii, and said some
thing kind, it all came out. l wa
so afraid that if no one took any in
terest in Jack, he would simply drift
and lose heart to struggle on. |
was then that your husband proved
what a noble friend a man can be. III
sought Jack, whom he had know
but slightly before, kept him will
him a great part of the time, fourt
out his bent, cheered him-for he i
of a nervous temperament, AM
easily discouraged. and, though yer.
manly, dependent upon sympathy. II
started him in business out west, il
stilling hope into him, and giving hir
an incentive to make a success of hi
life. Well, it's a long story, but
all came right at last. Jack is i
a good business, successful beyon
our widest expectations-even Dadd
is satisfed-and we have been maj
ried six months; and, oh! we are $
happy, and all thanks to your Ralph
Though he has been so silent abou
out affairs, l soon guessed his secre'
and knew that there had never bee
! but one little woman in all the worl
: for him."
; ,Joy came into the heart of TIL
Y wife, Joy and s~hame-that she coul
4 have doubted for a moment II S
| noble. Strength came, too, and TIL
woman, no longer listless, sat up o
the couch and drew the girlish cree
, ture close to her, kissing her again an
l again. Tears fell. then came nervor
T. laughter and smiles.
y "You are not going now. Off wit
Y that hat and coat! You are goin
! to stay to lunch and see our baby!
/ Then came an hour sacred to mothe
: hood and baby-lovers, and Baby "b'
: haved her prettiest," responding
: the Joy in two sweet faces.
1t was Easter eve when Ralph r
y turned to a home sweet with flower
and breathing a tender welcom
. Easter morning dawned bright al
! clear. The churches were glorior
J with music, and radiant with love-
f~lowers-types of the great trutl
9 !, they taught. No happier coup
= knelt in %reverent, adoring Thankful
y ness at Gods altar that exquisit
/, Easter morning than those tw
= young souls. For them it was Ea
{ terrible, indeed; for in the heart
the wife was a resurrection, too,
y what she had deemed a dead low
{ a dead faith and trust.-Chicago Al
!, vance.