Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-03-25
CHAPTER VIII.

49, oA004 OoOA ~ ~
ments with genuine affection, know
ing that her foraging would be emf
nently successful and our larder sat
isfactorily stocked, which desirable re-
suit was notify any means certain to-
follow when we ourselves went to mari
ket.
Gabrielle and Elizabeth had their
hats on and even carried gloves, which
meant that something unusual was
about to happen.
IF wa had not made such a definitei
engagement with the Campbells, Il
would not go one STEP" announced
Gabrielle. 81 don't like to leave you
alone with a headache"
"Of course you must 60" I returned;
ruefully. 1--WE have set too many times
and been disappointed to put it off
again. Then, too, remember Lord Will
frid is to meet you over there at lunch
con, and as he must have already
started, there is no way of letting him
know. | will be all right when you
come home, but it is too bad" T
For this was the day agreed upon,
after various disappointments, for a
shopping expedition to the small town
across the water. We intended to take,
advantage Of the little steamer that
crossed every morning and returned
every afternoon, explore the place, and
invest in a few articles the village could
not supply. Lady Campbell and her,
brother were to join us, and we an,
~ticipated a very jolly time.
l was therefore awfully disappointed
when I wakened that morning with the
dull pain in my eyeballs l have reason
to respect and treat with every def
erence. While the girls made their
toilets, protesting vigorously against
leaving me alone, I rested my heavy
head against the window frame and
tried to calculate how long it would
probably be before my brain felt clear
again and life would seem worth liv-
ing.
1T is the kindest thing you can do
for me-" I said at last. Il prefer to
be alone when my head aches. When
you get off I will take something and
lie down, and Mary Anne will make
me some tea for lunch. By the time
you come home tired and rather cross
l shall be all freshly dressed and as
cool and comfortable as possible. Now,
If you don't start, you will miss your
boat"
They finally set out, and l watched
them walk down the path toward the
village. Both were tall and slender,
but there the resemblance ceased en-
tirely. Gabrielle was strictly tailor
made from shoe to hat, but Elizabeth
inclined toward softening the severity
Of such costumes by various feminine
devices very telling in their effect, es7
pecially upon the masculine element
of society.
When Gabrielle turned and waved
her tightly-rolled silk umbrella in Al
farewell salute, I thought her plain,
well-1tting skirt and jacket, immacu-
lately severe linen shirt waist, stiff
cravat and trim little hat with it's knot
of ribbon and long black quill, the only
correct costume for any one But
when Elizabeth also turned and raised,
her red parasol I was not so sure, for
the pretty tan-colored skirt and short
Elton jacket, the dainty white blouse,
and the light straw hat with a red
rose under the brim, were certainly
very becoming, as well as entirely
suitable.
lay quite still for some hours, then
found myself gradually reviving and
with a strong desire for a cup Of tea.
The house seemed very quiet, and
though I opened my door and called
several times there was no response.
| was forced to conclude that Mary
Anne had taken advantage of our in
tended absence to spend the day in the
village, not knowing l had remained
at home.
I therefore got up and went down to
the kitchen to see what | could find;
for I had eaten no breakfast, and felt
that | would now be all the better for
a little food.
The fire was out, and the prospects
d~iscouraging to n disinclined to make
much Of an effort; but / found some
crackers, and remembered that Mary
Anne had mentioned putting the milk
on the hanging shelf in the cellar, so
/ got a glass and went after it, cracker
jar in hand.
The cellar had been we'll aired and
wa much less damp and musty than
on my previous visit. Also, the litter
of boxes and other rubbish had been
neatly piled along the wall, and the
whole place seemed more habitabIe.
The sea breeze swept through the open
windows until the hanging shelf
creaked on it's rusty chains, and a ray
Of sunlight penetrated the dark re-
cess, almost reaching the packing case
at the end.
i found the milk and.flled my glass,
then wandered aimlessly into there.
cess, sat down upon an upturned box,
and began my lunch. I do not under,
stand why | should have elected to 40
this, when the entire house was at my
disposal, but sometimes one obeys an
impulse without any tangible reason
for doing so.
AS | sat contentedly nibbling q
cracker and slipping the milk | heard
voices, mufied but quite distinct, as
though on the other side of a thin par
tition. AT first | was alarmed, but in
an instant / recognized Mary Anne's
familiar tones and was corresponding
ly relieved, although her whereabouts
was still a mystery.
Nov, then" said a mans voice i'm.
patiently, don't let's have a scene
and Cor haa uansa sala. dnn,t turn on