Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-02-25

easy familiarity; but he only laughed
again. and began to talk about the
climate and the country, showing a
knowledge of the coast which sur.
prised me.
Surely" l exclaimed. you have not
learned all this since yau have been
here?"
"oh, no." he returned; I'm an old
stager. The fact is, | spent several
summers here when l was a young
chap, and I'm very keen about It in.
deed. The sea regularly calls to me,
and I'm never quite happy away
from it."
"And Mrs. Graham?"
"Well, she don't know much about it
as yet. but she's learning. / can't in
duce her to get into a boat, though
more's the pity"
you are fond of sailing? p"
very fond. When l get out in my
catboat I have no idea of the flight of
time"
l had a sudden vision of his wife's,
figure waiting on the little dock.
Doubtless she was destined to pass
many anxious, expectant hours before.
the end of the summer.
Mr.. Graham put u letters in his.
pocket with his own, for safe keeping,
and we turned our faces homeward.
On the outskirts of the village we
met Lady Edith Campbell, sauntering
along under her white parasol, the
personification of dainty womanhood.
She stopped to speak to me, and l
was about to introduce my compan-
ion when, to my surprise, she held out
her hand cordially.
"Why, Mr.. Graham!" she exclaimed.
."Wha are you doing in this remote
corner of the world, and do you mean
to cut your old friends?"
Il was so astonished, Lady Edith,
that I doubted the evidence of my
eyes. What brings you here, may l
ask"
"Wilfrid and l are touring for his
health. Is Mrs. Graham with you?
How very charming! We all crossed
from England together this spring."
she explained for my benefit, "and we
got to know each other very we'll, as
people do on shipboard. Where is
Mrs. Graham, and may I not go and
see her this m%orning?"
Mr.. Graham hesitated perceptibly,
but settled the question by holding
out my hands for the letters and an
nouncing that | meant to take a short
cut to the cottage, and would see them
again soon.
AS usual, the girls were on the
veranda, and l dropped the mail in
Elizabeth's lap and flung myself ex-
haustedly into the hammock.
81 don't like paying visits" 1 re-
marked, "and I just hate taking walks
with other peoples husbands"
ooh, l don't know" replied Gabri-
ellie. II rather like married men-they
are so safe. They never suspect you
of designs on them if you are pleasant,
you know, and
why" interrupted Elizabeth, who
had been turning over the mail,
whats this? What have you been
buying, Elise? I'm going to look
at it."
She held in her hand a small tissue
paper package about the size of an Or
binary note envelope, and before |
could disclaim any responsibility for it
she had opened it and was examining
the contents.
Obi" she exclaimed, "look at this"
And, nothing loath, we joined her
on the steps and looked also. The lit
tie package contained a small piece of
blue ribbon, and carefully fastened to
it was a ring of yellow hair. Such
pretty hair it was, too! 1t might brve
come from the head of a little child, it
was SO soft and curled so daintily. In
the sunshine it glittered like spun
gold.
Elizabeth put her finger under the
shining ringlet and looked at me
d%oubtfully.
where did you get it." she in.
CURED, land what are you going to do
with it,"
Il lever saw it BEFORE" l replied,
thoroughly puzzled.
Gabrielle lifted the ribbon, which
was attached at the top to a piece Of
white note paper, evidently for the
purpose of holding it straight.
There is writing on it," she an
nounced, ands we literally put our
heads together to decipher the words
closely written in pencil.
"I need you.'" read Elizabeth. "Do
not delay"
There is MORE" I continued; els
ten:
And another voice is calling,
oh, it cometh from the sea,
With an undertone of danger
But there's work for you n me-"
What does it mean?" questioned
Gabrielle. Elise, you brought it here;
you must know"
Indeed l don't! 1 got the mail
and"
I paused as a sudden light dawned
upon me.
It's his I exclaimed lucidly; and
went on to explain that Mr.. Graham
had given me our mail very hurriedly,
as Lady Edith was waiting for him,
and doubtless the little package had
slipped in between two letters.
Elizabeth was folding the tissue
paper carefully about the piece of
ribbon.
1T is his, OF course" she said, "and
we must return 1t. But, oh, dear! how
l wish I had not opened til"
What I want to know" remarked