Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-04-08
BY LILLIAN w. HALE.

love with her, 1 win forgive your curios
ity about her book Come over this even
ing; We are going to have a dress re-
hearsal of Lay Clare and the per.
Torrance is to come off next Tuesday
night"
He came over in the evening and stood
a moment in the shade of the piazza be-
fore ringing. Suddenly, before he could
touch the bell, Elizabeth rushed out
rustling in the dress of Lady Clare. 1t
was too dark to see the costume; but he
thought not of costumes as she placed
her arms around his neck and leaned up
on his breast-oyerwhelmed, amazed, he
only held her closer and could not think.
"Where have you been2 1 have been
waiting in this hot dress-and-what
makes you shake like that2 If you are
going to be nervous, you will ruin every
t%hing-don't squeeze so hard-Dud.
ley"
Cit is not Dudley" he managed
to say in a hoarse and shaky whisper.
''Elizabeth-I-'
Goodness! Mr.. Clinker! I beg your
pardon" she broke from the arms that
would fain have so held her always, and
fed; while he, not feeling in the mood fer
the dress rehearsal of Lady Clare, be
took himself to the bench and darkness
under the elm tree and placed the blue
cushion and the white tlepr de us under
his head, thinking it had held the
"towsy, curly pow" of Elizabeth when
he had caught her reading for a "saw-
bones.' "She shall have everything
known to modern science when L get
her, D." he said to himself.
81 have assaulted Mr.. Clinker again"
she said to Dudley, as she flew into the
house and met that young person in the
hall, "and he was so scared he actually
shook" She dropped on the bottom stair
and laughed until the tears streamel
down her cheeks. 81 took him for you
and rushed at him in the dark porch and
gave him my Lady Clare hug. Dudley,
you look beautiful! let's go look in the
glass"
"Scared, was he7 Maybe he'll ask you
~, aoovo L,,,, A rro,, ." Inp,n an Mpc So,1la
and all 'the Reds are waiting for u.s.. .
The great opera-house was crowded
with a most fashionable and appreciativs
throng. The beauty, the wealth, ths
mystery, the blameless life of Mrs. Soule
had penetrated the city. She was the ac-
knowledged leader of the most efficient
charities-only for charity did she dis
play her beauty and her wealth; and the
Redfelds, while not rich had the social
distinction of an old and well-known fam
lily, besides their extreme beauty. These
combined forces filed the house and net
ted a large sum for the Associated Char
tiles to work upon in the coming winter.
The curtain rose upon a garden scene;
tall lilies seemed to grow about the stage
and in the foreground was glittering
and shimmering real Whitewater lilies
swayed upon 1.-two swans moved slowly
across-very lifelike.
The first verse of "Lady Clare" was
recited in sonorous beautiful tones be
hind the scenes, while Dudley and Eliza
beth, hand in hand came slowly into view
down what seemed a long winding walk
She looked up at him with an adorinl
look in her dark eyes, and trailed he
heavy gold-colored brocade with thu
grace of an empress; Mrs. Soule's dia
monds blazed and flashed on her neck
her hair fell to her waist in heavy ring
lets and artistic disorder. Dudley g vel
vet suit and wig of long, curling, darl
hair became him exceedingly; the heav.
chain of the order Of the Garter hun
around his shoulders, and he wore hig
} riding boots and jeweled spurs, and cal
ried a plumed hat in his hand. He ben
: on his sister a look of the most absolut
: and utter devotion; lingeringly they part
: ed, and after he had bestowed the las
kiss on her hand and disappeared, Eliza
j. beth smiled and waved her hand afte
/ him-he rushed back, and, seizing her j
his arms again, kissed her wildly, an
fingered again. At this touch Of natul
) the house was in a storm Of delighted al
probation.
9 cit will be a success, y said Aileen t
Q Mr.. Clinker, as they sat together in
box. "Did you ever see two such beal
ties as Dudley and Elizabeth And no
well they do it'll"
eyes" he said briefly.
u She looked at him a moment. "
IS wish you success" she said softly.
9 "Thank you, Mrs. soule-I mean |
have her" He set his teeth under h
moustache and his dark cheek fushe'
u his black eyes glowed.
eff he were not her brother, l coul
d kill himl" he muttered. ~ don't b
lieve she will ever love anyone as 81
does Dudley
2 Mrs. Soule smiled, During the pla
ming and rehearsing Of "Lady Glare
g she had become more intimate with Eliz
a beth than anyone except Dudley, and 81
had seen how much of her reticent SO
l was given to the thought Of Tom Clinkei
70 but, being a wise young woman, she ht