Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-04-30

AT Aunt Comforts, however, no
signs Of love troubles were visible; in
fact, no signs of any sort, except the
malicious hanging around" interior
ence Of Hannah whenever Ray was
there. She seemed to feel It her duty
to remain on guard at such times,
much to Rays disgust. No annoyance
at this was apparent in Chip. She
helped at Homework, studied at odd
hours, and when Ray came she met
and talked with him as if he were a
brother.
The day he was TO leave Greenvale
was close at hand, however, and the
evening before he came early, bring
ing his banjo. and by tacit consent,
perhaps to escape Hannah, they both
left the house at once.
Just above the village there was a
long, narrow pond, wooded upon one
side and around its upper end, with
partially cleared land and scattered
trees along the opposite bank. One of
these trees was a monster beech zeal
the waters edge, the trunk of which
was SCARED by many intwined initials.
To this lovers trysting tree now
came Ray and Chip.
The evening was not one for ro-
nance, for no o graced it-only
stars were reflected from the ponds
motionless surface, while freffies
twinkled above it.
The shadow of the near parting also
lowered over these two as, hand in
hand, they picked their way up and
along the bank; and once seated be-
meath the tree, it seemed to forbid
speech.
Il wish you'd play some of the songs
you used to-" Chip said at last hur-
riedly; I'D like to think I'm back at
the lake again"
Glad to do so, Ray drew out his
banjo and began to tune it. He start
ed a song also-one of the grave
yardy" ones which Old Cy had inter
dicted, but choked at once and stopped
abruptly.
Il can't sing tonight" he said; I'm
too blue about going away"
There were two in this frame of
mind, evidently, for Chip made no pro-
test, and for another long interval
they watched the firefies and listened
to the whippoorwills.
Il wish you were going back with
u.s." Ray said at last. 1T breaks my
heart to go away so soon and leave
you. Why won't you let me ask my
uncle to take you? He might be glad
to do it, just for me-"
NO." answered Chip, firmly, you
mustn't. 1t would shame me so thai
| couldn't look them in the face
Then, as If this subject and their OWE
feelings must be avoided, she added
hurriedly, Tell me what you will dc
when the folks come back-whethel
you will come with them or stay a
the lake."
Stay there, l suppose" answered
Ray, somewhat %doggedly, for money
making and love were in conflict
"Old Cy says We can make a lot o.
money if l will. l wish l were rich,'
he added with a sigh.
He was not the first young man tt
whom that wish had come at such {
moment. But converse between then
was at ebb tide just now, and the part
ing moment, eve creeping nearer
oVershadowed all else. To Chip
known only to herself-it meant for
ever. To Ray, another long isolation
from all the world and young asso
ciates, and all for g fey, hundred dol
lars sorely needed by him, yet Seem
ing of scant value compared to thu
sweet companionship of this maid.
Then Chips feelings and the reason
for them were quite beyond him. HI
could not see why she was unwilling
to ask to be taken to the woods again
nor why she held herself aloof from
him. She had not done so at the lake
or when they met again, and VIII,
should she now?
Something of this might have bee
inferred by Chip, for she suddenl
arose.
Il think we'd best go back" sh
said. ITS time and Hannah will b
watching for me-"
What Ray might have said had h
been a w~orldwise man, does not ma
ter. What he did was to pick up hi
useless banjo, and clasping Chips arm
led her along the winding walk.
Below the falls and near the hous
they paused, for now the last momen
alone together had come, and with
the real parting.
Tell Old Cy Il haven't. forge
him." whispered Chip, her voice qui'
ering, "and-and-you won't forget m
either, will you, Ray"
That little sob in her speech was a
that was needed to break away tn
barrier between them, for the next IL
slant Rays arms were about the girl
No words of love, no p~rotestationi
no promises. Only n i%nstant's NEE
s ing of soul and impulse, fierce as low
of life, sacred as the hand of death.
Love consecrated 1t. The shadoV
ing naples blessed it. The stars ha
lowed it.
= And yet it was a long, long partini
X When Ray rode away next NOR
ing he watched for her at the fir
d sharp hilltop.
1t was in vain, for Chips resolv
e had been taken, and he eve saw til
o forlorn figure crouching behind thu
a bush-topped wall, or knew that tW
e wistful, misty eyes had seen him d
part.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)