Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-08-08
CHAPTER xxvI-continued.
N12Z22E2Z 30

CHAPTER XXVI-Continued.
Possibly" said l, with no dispo-
s:tion to combat views based on
knew not what painful experience.
"But I don't care for that sort of lik-
ing-from a woman, or from a dog"
ITS the only kind you'll get" re-
torted he, trying to control his ag-
itation. I'm an old man. | know
human nature-that's why | live alone.
You'll take that kind of liking, or do
without"
Then I'll do without" said l..
"Give her an income, and she'll go.
/ see it all. You've flattered her van
ity by showing your love for her
that's the way with women. They go
crazy about themselves, and forget
all about the man. Give her an in
come and she'll go"
Il doubt it," said |. "And you
would, if you knew her. But, even so,
| shall lose her in any event. For,
unless she is made independent, she'll
certainly go with the last OF the lit
tie money she has, the remnant of a
small legacy"
The old man argued with me, the
more vigorously, I suspect, because
he found me resolute. When he could
think of 70 new way of stating his
case-his case against Anita-he said:
"You are a fool, young man-that's
clear. I wonder such a fool was ever
able to get together as much prop
erty as report credits you with. But
you're the kind of fool l like"
"Then-you'll indulge my folly?"
said I, smiling.
He threw up his arms in a gesture
of mock despair. IF you will have 1T
So" he replied. Il am curious about
this niece of mine. I want to see her.
/ want to see the woman who can
resist you" =
Her mind and her heart are closed
against me-" said l.. And it ID my
own fault closed them"
Put her out of your heal" he adj
vised. mo woman is worth a serious
mans while"
II have few wants, few purposes
said /. But those few I pursue to
the end. Even though she were not
,worth> while, ever though / wholly
lost hope, still I'd not give her up.
/ couldn't-that's my nature. But
she is worth while" And I could see
her, slim and graceful, the curves in
her face and figure that made M
heart leap, the azure sheen upon her
petallike skin, the mystery Of the
soul turing from her eyes.
After we had arranged the business
or, rather, arranged to have 1t ar
ranged through our lawyers he
walked down to the pier with me-. A
the gangway he gave me anothe'
searching look from head to foot
but vastly different from the inspec
ton with which our interview hat
begun. You are a devilish handsome
young fellow" said he. Your pic
lures don't do you justice. And
shouldn't have believed any man coul'
overcome in one brief sitting such
prejudice as | had against you. Ol
second thought, | don't care to Sc
her. She must be ven below the aver
age"
'Or far above it." l suggested.
Il suppose I'll have to ask her owe
to visit me-" he went on. "A fin
hypocrite I'll feel"
"You can make Ii n o. the cor
ditions of your gift that she is nc
to thank you or speak Of 1t" said
VI fear your face would betray US,
she eve did"
San excellent ideal" he exclaimed
Then, as he shook hands with me |
farewell: You will win her yet
If you care to-"
AS | steamed up the Sound, | wa
tempted to put in at Dawn Hills ha
Dor. Through my glass | could Sc
Anita and Alva and several other
men and women. having tea on til
lawn under a red and white awnini
I could see her dress-a violet su
with a big violet hat to match.
knew that costume. Like everythir
she wore, it was both beautiful in
self and most becoming to her.
could see her face, could almost NAL
out it's expression-did | see, or d
I imagine, a cruel contrast to what
always saw when she knew | W;
looking?
I gazed until the trees hid lawn al
gay awning, and that lively compaI
and her. In my bitterness | was fl
of resentment against her, full of Sc
pity. | quite forgot, for that m
ment, her side of the story.