Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-06-10
CHAPTER XIV.

Where IS Elizabeth" asked Mr.. Red
field, as the family assembled at break
fast on the morning after the girls start
ed on their singular journey.
"She staid with Aileen last night"
said her mother.
81 think she might have come home for
breakfast, " said Dudley, 81 miss our an
mated discussions as to which of us shall
secure the hot cakes first. Ross Adams
our neighbor, you know-came home last
night from a journey, and he said he saw
Elizabeth and Aileen taking a train about
midnight. He told me that just now,
when 1 was out after the paper"
"What an absurd ideal of course they
couldn't have gone anywhere at that
time" said Stanley.
"I respectfully but distinctly intimated
hat he was another, y said Dudley.
"Another what?' said Theo.
"Another Ananias. I think this family
grows more obtuse every day, l hate to
explain things"
"When you are so very profound, you
must forgive ordinary mortals if they
trouble you for explanations. Dudley
dear, I wish. you would provide me with
an epigram this morning; / have somo
space to FILL.
"Can t; never did an epigram; you can
do it much better. l wish she would come
home; it's like a funeral when she is gone
What shall L do when Clinker takes her
for better, for worse? / wish / could be
in love. I am-with Mrs. Adams
though she has the misfortune to be mar.
ried and ten years older, but she is pref
tier than anyone l know, except mother
Oh dearl I guess I will go over to ask
Mrs. Soule if she has abducted Elizabeth.
Here is Clinker with his skates at eight III
the morning-that s devotion. Lord Low
ell he loved with a pure true love. ]
must get out my skates too. Wait, Stan
ley; I'll go with you. Take some more
coffee while you wait. Helloj Tom! Is
the skating at the park good for any.
thinga"
"Pretty good. Where is Elizabeth, not
back yet9''
emo, not yet; l suppose she and Aileel
talked all night, and are making it up nov
I always rise with the lark, as you can
tell by my hue of health and my robust
person"
Clinker went to the window and gazed
eagerly across the street at the Soule
cottage; he saw no sign Of life.
IT will go over and see if they are
up. / am afraid the ice will thaw before
noon, as it is growing warmer; there viii
be snow, I think. Do you know where
her skates are, Dudley? If I can take
them, it will save time"
"Don't you mean her to be restored
to the fearful embrace of her family be.
fore you drown her under the ice Of Lex
ington parl.? I think her skates are in
the hall closet; you may get them your
self; L refuse to be accessory before the
fact"
edo you think the ice can be safe,
ThomasY' asked Mrs. Redfeld.
~ am sure of it; there has been
freezing weather for a week, and-here
comes Mrs. Soule."
All turned toward the window, and
saw the older Mrs. Soule crossing the
street.
"Run and help her, Dudley; you know
she is feeble" said his mother. Dudley
went, seized his hat in the hall, and in
two minutes he met Mrs. Soule.
"oh, Dudley! how glad I am to see
you! Is your mother well9 I think I
will not come over now My servant was
busy, and I thought I would come and
ask Aileen to come home; there are some
packages that require her attention. She
went to your house to breakfast, didn 7
sheq''
"No; she has not been at our house
this morning, and Elizabeth has not been
home either. Where do you suppose they
can be9''
"Gone for a walk probably; I shall
have to do the best I can about the
packages. Just give me your arm, Dud-
ley, to the house; the walks are slippery
this morning"
Dudley helped her home and then re.
turned.
"Startling disappearancel Two lovely
young ladies missing from their honest
Parents and betrothed lover overcome
with grief! Detectives on the
track ~
"What do you mean, Dudley What
did Mrs. Soule want9n
"She wished me to tell her where All
leen was. As / do not know, I was re-
luctdnlly opilBeu 70 Ieluse hel NViy ioa
'onable request. She says they have gone
for a walk. I suppose you could not be
Induced to accept me as an understudy
Cor Elizabeth, and take me skating in
stead?n
II shall not lgoswithout her. You can
30 yourself, Dudley; you do not lack
pretty companions,sif the rootleJs dance
8 any criterion
aIt isn't. The girls have evidently
been comparing NOTES for four Of them
nave reproached me and three have cut
ne dead; SO, you see, trying to please
everybody and help every nice girl to en-
herself. [ pet tha 1samard af.tha evil