Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-06-03

no surprise, but quietly did all In her
power to help a sister woman through
the deep waters that engulfed her.
Her charity was extended to Mr..
Graham also. and, while no explana-
ton nor excuse seemed possible re-
garding him, she covered his past with
a mantle of silence, in effect some
what resembling the soft powdering of
freshly fallen snow upon the mire of
the streets.
Let us not talk about him." she
once said gently, when we were dis
cussing the subject. HE 10 dead. Per-
haps he was tempted beyond his
strength-who knows?"
She spent much time with us at the
cottage, and although the strain we all
felt more or less was apparent in the
pAlor of her cheeks and the black
circles about her eyes, her quiet cheer
fulness never failed, and she was al
ways ready to respond to any appeal
for advice or assistance. We grew to
depend greatly upon her, and felt as
though we had known her always.
Not so Lord Wilfrid. A card left
formally at Mrs. Graham's door was
the only indication he gave of any
knowledge of the "deplorable event
which had shaken vi little commune
ty to its foundations, and not even
his sister could induce him to do any
thing more.
Hang it ALT" he said roughly, one
evening when she had urged upon him
the necessity of at least Offering to be
of any assistance in his power, "why
should l mix myself up in it? The
man is dead, and, from all accounts,
it seems a good radiance"
but, Wilfrid, dear, remember we
knew them before we met them here.
1t does not seem kind"
She paused, for he interrupted, with
a disagreeable laugh:
"We knew them-yes, so we did.
Why should l forget it? l have done
all ! ever mean to do for him. And
don't ask me to go near that house
where he lies dead-his wife looks and
looks at you with her big solemn eyes,
reading your very soul. There are
some things eve you cannot make me
do, and"
"Wilfrid!"
He stopped abruptly, and with a
muttered apology left the veranda. His
sister sighed a little as she turned to
Gabrielle, who sat next her.
Poor Wilfrid!" she said. "Only see
how v he is. He always had
this strange aversion to death, and he
did not like Mr.. Graham-men know
men. | fear he is not as strong as I
thought, for this sad affair has com.
pletely unnerved him. Have you not
noticed how badly he looks?"
1t was indeed patent that he was
far from well. He was sullen and ir-
ritable, his complexion had assumed a
dull, pasty hue, and his eyes we're
shifty and troubled.
Il believe" remarked Elizabeth that
night when we were alone, that Lord
Wilfrid takes some kind Of a drug
which gives him that queer greenish
look"
Poor Lady Edith" I said. Il be-
lieve she has troubles of her own with
him."
"And how bravely she hides themI"
added Gabrielle, thoughtfully. well,
it only goes to prove what l have
said all along: Blood will tell"
But If Lord Wilfrid failed in the
ordinary c~ourtesies of humanity, Cor
don Bennett did all and more than
could have been expected of him, and
l soon forgot his scarf-pin with the
Sphinx's head, and also the fact that
I had seen him trying to force an en-
trance into our boathouse, which eX-
.traordinary proceeding was still unex.
planned.
So the days passed, and we slowly
resumed our ordinary routine, recov.
ering from the shock with the elas-
ITCHY of youth and health, and quite
willing to put the dreadful episode
away from us.
There was a ball at the hotel n
night, and we all went, glad Of the
diversion afforded by the lights and
music, and pleasantly conscious thai
our gowns we're all that could be de-
sired.
Gordon Bennett and Mr.. Blake, as
well as many other cottagers, sailed
over to participate, and as the floor
was good, the music excellent, and
men plentiful, we enjoyed ourselves
very much indeed.
Mr.. Blake danced once with me, but
I noticed that his eyes continually fol.
lowed Lady Edith's graceful figure,
again attired in the black gown which
afforded such an effective background
for her golden hair and white shout
ders.
rs she not lovely?" l inquired, as
my glance followed his.
"She is wonderful" he said, almost
beneath his breath-"wonderful."
After supper, as ! stood for a mo-
ment alone by the open door, Lady
Edith touched me on the shoulder and
beckoned me to join her on the veran
da. Her face was very grave, and l
observed that her hand vas cold and
shook a little as she drew mi to a
chair.
Elise" she said; Il am going to
pain you"
I looked at her in silence, wonder
Ing greatly, but she seemed to find it
difficult to continue.
Have you ever thought" she said
at last, that there is anything strange
about MI. Bennett?"
"Strange?" / repeated. stranger"
"Not quite right, | NEAR What
call straight. Have Won ever