Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-08-26

would not let the memory OF those
past days take possession OF his
mind.
When within a half mile of the vii
lage he reached a road leading direct
ly to the river. The thought came to
him that there would be some inter-
est in seeing the river at nearer range.
He turned his horse in that direction.
He rode slowly, taking in the breadth
of landscape before him. Suddenly
a child's cry awoke the stiffness. Les
ter looked around. At the side of the
road sat a child. a girl of four or five
years. She vas holding one foot in
both her small hands.
"Hello!" exclaimed Lester, jumping
little one?"
The little child looked up at him.
my foot, it hurts" There was a fresh
burst of tears, "And I'm lost. / want
to go back"
Lester bent over her. She was a
beautiful little creature. She had a
profusion of brown wavy hair and
great gray eyes shaded by thick dark
lashes.
She cried softly as Lester examined
her foot. She had evidently turned
her ankle violently in walking over
the rough stones of the road.
Where do you liver asked Les
ter. Don't cry. I'll take you home"
Don't live here, we're at the hotel"
She stopped crying, and looked at
Lester with the confidence which the
glance of his eyes and his smile al
ways won for him.
AT the hotel? Well, my horse will
take us there very soon" He lifted
her in his arms. and placing her on
his saddle, sprang up behind her.
"She belongs, no doubt. to those peo-
pie that Morris said are staying over
on account of the food" he thought.
The little girl leaned against him
comfortably. Lester chatted gayly
to her, and o she was laughing
merrily. Her name was Dolly, she
told him, and she had run away be-
cause she wanted to see the river.
By the time they reached the vii
lage and were riding UP to the hotel
she seemed to have forgotten the pair
in her foot. The street seemed deserted
and there was no II visible about
the hotel except a young woman stand
ing on the veranda which ran around
the building. Dolly called out as she
say her: Here l am! Here / ami"
The young woman screamed ant
ran down to the road.
"oh. Dolly. Dolly, you naughty
child"
Then as Lester drew rein. she saw
his face. you, John!"
Lester had turned white to the lips
rs this your child?" he asked, hi
voice sharp.
] He had dismounted and held thu
child in his arms. MY child" sh'
returned. impetuously. mo. John.
am not married. No" as Leste
made a movement toward her. "Mat
d tiers are unchanged but am goinl
to tell you what l would not before
because | did not want to appear a
trying to influence you to accept you
d stepmother. She-is my sister. Sh
was married to your father while 5
was at France in school. | did no
know for come time after | met 20
d that you we're her stepson. When
r was known to mel decided not t
10 marry you. But now-well, Dolly |
IS your stepsister. She was left wit
me this morning while your fathe
and my sister went for a drive wit
* another member Of our party. SUI
ID denly she was missed-oh. | was s
y frightened-your father adores he
70 and il anything had happened to he
and, oh, John, to think that 70
found her!"
Lester had stood rigid and whit
:" during this explanation, his eyes Q
~ the sweet face of the speaker.
Now he folded the little girl closel
I'd in his arms and rested his chez
against hers.
is Il have been a fool" he said. tiers
ly. 'Ill tell my father and your 81
ter so. Is she as sweet as you, Alice
ri Much nicer than l.. oh, John, you
father will be so happy to have yc
= back"
ar And you. Alice? VIII you have n
now"
Yes, John"
Lester laughed happily. Il mu
OF carry Dolly in. Her foot must be
ng tended to. She has hurt it."
ID Dolly seemed to thoroughly unde
lg, stand all that had been said. 81
put her arms around Testers neck.
TO II am glad that you are my brot
ay err" she said.