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

Edith; I'VE have plenty Of room. I
have been spending the morning with
Mrs. Graham. and we vent out for q
sail Just after lunch. but she could not
be persuaded to Join u.s."
"Ohi" I said. as l took Mr.. Ora
hams outstretched hand and stepped
into the boat. which wobbled unpleas-
antly. 'It is awfully nice-after you
get In"
TT is a bully day for a SAIL" he re-
turned, his face glowing with the
pleasure it had given him. Il only
wish you would talk a bit to Mrs. Ora
nam and get her to come out Just
once. She has no idea how fine it is.
my wife" he explained to Mr.. Ben.
nett, who had followed me into the
boat, has an unaccountable aversion
to the water; and she will not trust
herself on it, even with me-" +.
Indeed" remarked Mr.. Bennett,
dryly. she must condemn herself
to a good many hours alone, for 1 no
tice you are out constantly"
ooh, yes; we agreed that l was to
go whenever / chose. She does not
wish to keep me at home, and we quite
understand each other on the subject"
"You were singing" I said, as the
sail filed and the boat cut through the
water; won't you please go on. 1 had
no idea you had such a lovely voice."
"Yes," said Lady Edith; do sing
again, Mr.. Graham. It was quite love-
ly. and you must not be selfish with
such a talent"
So Mr.. Graham sang again, and we
listened entranced, for his voice was
very %melodious, and he sang as the
birds do, with no apparent effort or
consciousness of his charm. Lady
Edith in the stern kept her face in
the shadow of her parasol and said but
little, yet / saw her eyes grow misty,
and remembered our conversation
about the little gold key. Was she
thinking of the man she loved? I
wondered dreamily.
TIL land you at your own dock"
he remarked, as he steered for the
shore. "And I'm sure l am very crate
full for the nice things you say about
the songs. l sing because 1 like to
sing-just as l yield to every Inn
pulse whenever | a get any pleasure
out Of it. 1t seems the simplest thing
to do"
1t was rather a dangerous theory, I
thought, although as I looked at Mr..
Graham's ruddy face and heard his
careless laugh l quite understood that
he would generally live up to what he
said. And l had a quick recollection,
too, of the package Elizabeth had
opened; was that caused by a sudden
impulse, l wondered, and had he ex.
tracted his full measure Of satisfaction
out of it?
Lord Wilfrid was waiting on the
dock when we landed, his cap pulled
down owe his eyes and his manner
the reverse Of cordial.
Il have looked everywhere for you,
Edith" he said, "You did not tell me
you expected to go sailing. Did you
make up your party this m%orning?"
He looked at Gordon Bennett as he
spoke, and paused for a reply.
1T was quite unprecedented" said
that gentleman. I'm fact, your sister
and Mr.. Graham were kind enough to
pick us up a good bit down the beach
and give us a lift home"
WAS any one else with you?"
Il took a short sail with Mr.. Ora
ham, Wilfrid," said Lady Edith. II
am sorry If you have needed me, but I
thought you intended fishing this after
noon"
She looked steadily at him, and he
lowered his eyes instinctively. But
his face, as he watched Mr.. Graham
push off and sail away, was heavy and
lowering, and his fingers twitched
nervously.
Listen" I said. "Mr. Graham is
singing again"
He was standing by his sail now, the
light of the sun full upon him, appar-
emily unconscious of the picture he
made.
"And I will love o still, my dear,
When all the seas run dry"
The words OF the old song died
away, and ! turned to my companions.
Let us go home" l said; but Lady
Edith and her brother had already
gone.