Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-06-11
CHAPTER xxvII-(continued).

Martin had expected this news to be
overpowering, and Good God!" from
Uncle Jud, and a gasping Land
sakes!" from Aunt Mandy proved that
it was.
Chips face, however, was a study.
First she grew pale, then flashed a
scared glance from one to another of
the three who watched her, and then
almost did her shame and hatred of
this vile parent find expression.
. I'm glad he-no, I won't say so, for
he was. my father" she exclaimed;
but l want Old Cy to have some of
the money, and Uncle Jud here, and
you folks, all. / was a pauper long
enough" and then, true to her instinct
of how to escape from trouble, she
ran out of the room.
"She's a curis gal" asserted Uncle
Jud, looking after her as if feeling
that she needed explanation, "the most
curis gal l ever saw. But we can't
let her go, money or no money, Mr..
Frisbie. I found her one night upon
top O. Bangall hill. She was so starved
an beat out from trampin' she couldn't
hardly crawl up on to the wagon, n
yet she said she wouldn't be helped
'thout she could arm it. I think she's
like folks we read about, who starve
ruther'n beg. But she kin have all
we've got some day, an we jest can't
let her CO."
And Martin, realizing its futility,
made no further protest.
Something of chagrin also came to
him, for, broad-minded as he was, he
realized how partial neglect, the mar
row religious prejudice of Greenvale,
and unwise notice of her childish ideas
about spites and Old Tomah's supersti-
tions had all conspired to drive her
away. She was honest and ~self-re-
specting, true blue" as Old Cy had
said, grateful as a fawning dog for all
that had been done for her, and in
spite of her origin, a circumstance
that carried no weight with Martin,
she was one, he believed, who would
develop into splendid womanhood.
That she was we'll on her way toward
that goal, her improved speech and de-
votion to these new friends gave am
pie evidence.
And now Rays position in this COM
pick situation occurred to Martin; for
this young mans interest in Chip and
almost heart-broken grief over her dis
appearance had long since betrayed
his attachment.
Il suppose you may have guessed
that there was a love affair mixed up
with this episode" he said to the two
somewhat dazed people.
Il callated thar was, that fust night"
Uncle Jud responded, his eyes twin.
king again, IAN told Mandy so. Twas
that more'n anything else kept us
from quizzin' the gal. | knowed by
her face she had heart trouble, n I've
seen the cause ont"
You have,s exclaimed Martin,
astonished in turn, "for heavens sake,
where?"
"Oh, down to the Corners, most a
year ago, n a likely boy he was, too"
"And never told herr"
mo, why should l, thinkin' she'd run
away from him. We didn't want to
spite her plans. We found out, though,
her name was Mcguire, but never let
on till she told us a spell ago" And
then Uncle sud told the story Of Rays
arrival in Riggsville in search Of Chip.
THAT fellow is my nephew, Ray
mond Stetson," rejoined Martin with
pride, The also is an orphan, and l
have adopsed him. Chip has no u
to be ashamed of his attachment"
II don't callate she Is" replied
Uncle Jud. "'Tain't that that %jineral-
ly makes a gal kick over the traces.
Mebbe twas suthin some O you folks
said" And then a new light came to
Martin.
"Mr. walker he answered impress
sively; lin every village there is al
ways a meddlesome old maid who in