Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-04-23
CHAPTER XVII.

Chip had awaited her lovers coming,
one hope had been hers-that his re-
turn would end all her loneliness and
begin a season of the happy, care-free
days like those by the lake once more.
For the first few moments after he
kissed her appraised lips, she could not
speak for very joy; and then, as hand
in hand they started toward the vii
lage, her speech came.
I've been so lonesome" she said
simply, 1--WE counted the days, and
come down here to meet you daily, for
over a month. l don't like it here, and
nobody likes me, l guess. I'm so glad
you've come, though. Now | shan't be
lonesome no more I've studied hard.
too," she added, with an accent of
pride. 81 can read and spell words of
six syllables. I've ciphered up to deci-
NAL fractions, an begun grammar.
Pm glad to get home, too" an
swered Ray, as simply. 1T was lone
some in the woods all winter, when
we couldn't tend the traps. But I've
made a lot of money-'moSt five hun
bred dollars-all mine, too. How is
everybody" And so they dropped
from sentiment into commonplace.
At the tavern he secured his belong
ings. At the corner where their ways
parted, he babe Chip a light good-by,
and with an 'Tll see you soon," left
her.
Her hero had arrived. They had
met, kissed as lovers should, and the
lonely waiting and watching days were
at an end and a new life was to begin
for Chip.
Little did she realize what it would
mean for her, or how utterly her hopes
were to fail.
HE will come tonight" her heart
assured her, and that evening, with
out a word to Aunt Comfort or Han
nah as to whom she expected, she ar
rayed herself in her n best dress
and awaited his expected visit.
And what a propitious and a~ll-favor-
ing evening 1t was! The June night
was balmy. Blooming lilacs and syrin-
gas half hid, as well as adorned, the
porch of Aunt Comforts home. Aunt
Comfort had just departed to make a
call, Hannah was away at prayer
meeting, and mo one nigh to hinder"
But Chip waited in vain!
At school next day her mind and
heart we're at war. The parts of
speech and rules Of subtraction and
division seemed complete chaos, and
when homeward bound, she loitered
slowly along, hoping Ray would make
amends and meet her on the way. But
again he failed to appear.
And that night, when alone with
Hannah. a worse blow came.
II heerd young Stetson got back
yesterday" she said, fixing her steely
blue eyes on Chip, IAN you went down
the road to meet him. I should think
you'd be 'shamed O. yourself. If you're
callatin' on settin' your cap for him,
'twon't do a mite O. good. His aunt
wouldn't think O. havin' such an out
| cast ez you for him-that l a tell ye."
But not a word of reply came from
poor Chip. Such speeches were not
new to her, and she had long before
ceased to answer them. But this one,
from its very truth, hurt more than
all others had, and, crushed by it, she
stole away out of the house.
No thought that Ray might call came
to her. She only wished to escape
somewhere, that she might cry away
her misery and shame in solitude.
The evening was but a repetition of
the previous one. The same sweet in
fuence and silvered light was all
about, but no heed of its beauty came
to Chip. Instead, she felt herself a
shameful thing Of no account. Her
lover had failed her-now she knew
why, and as she sped along the lonely
way to the schoolhouse, carce con-
scious of her steps, all hope and all
joy left her. Why or for what purpose
she was hurrying toward this deserted
little building, she knew not. Hot
tears filed her eyes. Shame surged in
her heart. She was a nobody in the
eyes Of all her world, and once she
had reached the worn sill, SO often
crossed by her, she threw herself upon
1t and sobbed in utter despair.
(TO BE CoNTINUED)