Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-10-08

I1dl1illOu , Given haAhNg I'm NAN Oh-
sion of his usual endearment to her
self, and because she was hurt she
dared not be serious. do let her
think the coast clear; it will be such a
fine test of your constancy," she said
with a fippapoy astonishing to him.
He was too thoroughly masculine to
fathom the art a woman uses to hide
her wound. Neither could he reply,
for Miss Hamilton turned to him with
some laughing remark.
The insistent band, ~undaunted by two
partitions, blared the popular airs ofthe
day; sentiment, frolic, pathos: When
This Cruel Wal Is Over" Ever of
Thee" The Maiden's Prayer"
champagne Charley" Last Ditch
Polka the last two accompanied by
a soft tapping all along under the
table.
Sally B. sat opposite Stella, her eyes
seemingly on all the walters at once.
yet she found time for the guests and
their conversation.
A slight commotion at the door ar
rested the attention of the guests.
There came a gust of subdued yet
excited Chinese chatter, a pause, n
the entrance of two men carrying a
towering white pagoda, ~surmounted by
the word God" in huge gilt letters.
With some difficulty the sugary struc-
ture was safely landed in the center
of the table, and Vic Wah and his as
sistants withdrew to the cover of the
doorway, where Stella saw the cook
peeping ~expectantly through. 1t was
his master tribute to the occasion.
An instant of silence followed; then
an infectious smoker raj around the
table, in spots breaking into an actual
laugh.
Stella saw Vic Wah's eyes open
wide with establishment and question I;
yet in a breath they cleaned with
anger. His face went livid, and he
hurried away.
But Sally B. saved the moment, MY
cook set up all night to make that
cake, Mr.. Croker; please don't
taught" she whispered past the two
intervening guests.
At one the host rose, and taking
his cue from her anxious face, pro
) posed a toast to 1.-The Cake and the
| Cook" that was responded to witt
, hearty cheers. Vic Wah entered
bowed, and retired with a beamint
face.
The POSTMASTER now raped TO
order. The conversation and laughte
ceased, the soft rustic of serving ant
eating hushed, and the speeches be
gan.
Mr.. Crocker spoke first, to the gen
eral topic: "The Railroad" He toll
the story of it's inception and progress
paying tribute to Theodore T.. Judah
to the men who furthered the under
taking in congress and legislature, t
all the officers, especially to Mr.. Gree
ory; and closed with a neat compl
ment to Alfred. Stella ever so gentl
pressed his arm with her own; but TIL
woman on the other side smiled allul
ingly into his face, and pouted at he
uncle.
Uncle Charley didn't say hal
enough about you," she whispered, We
Stella heard it.
Il shall tell him he has left his del
of gratitude for me to liquidate," h
beauty continued. "Or-or can / pa
Uncle Charley's scores?" she que
toned in mock humility, leaning t
ward Alfred till her breath brushe
his cheek. perhaps my coin is ne
current in your market"
OF course, he had to meet her badi1
age. She meant her coin should b
current with him, and above par; an
he would have been ice had he entir'
ly escaped the spell of her witcherie
Several speeches followed, anon
them Mr.. Ludlow's memorable toas
1.-The Pacific Railroad, the Beautifl
Belt of the Union, with California {
the Golden Buckle"
At the close of the banquet Stel
escaped through a door; and fro,
cover of darkness watched knots
men gather and dissolve about Mi
Hamilton; marked her every motto
and speech; noted her vivacity, HI
perfect grace, her quick smile; sa
fattered Alfred's ready response
she appealed to him prettily for fla
or confederation of her own assertion
The little court melted away at las
Mr.. Crocker was b%uttonholed by M
Gregory and led off. Viola disa
peared; and Sally B. was already rus
ing the transformation that must pr
cede the five o'clock breakfast.
When the radiant two were alo1
Stella saw Miss Hamilton's animatiC
Is fade in a breath; saw her pale ar
!" tremble and lift a pathetic little fa'
ne to Alfred. And Stella marvelled
" the heroism that had kept the gi
IL keyed so long to her role. Howev,
IT. artificial Miss Hamilton's mann
might have been before, Stella reco
. nized the Significance of the droppt
"a mask. Here was perfect honesty, al
the sweet appeal of pain courageous
I'll borne. How could Alfred resist it,
her trust in him, her beauty, all Il
subtle intimateness of the moment?
"Oh, Mr.. Vincent, I've nearly di,
this last hour" she said unsteadil
II Wont you please find Uncle Charl,
as SOC as you CAM"
re- (TO BE CoNTINUED)
sMaSaM Gee e. ~ s.
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