Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-10-06


be safer than her own house.
would be better to fulfill her en-.
gagement and go to the reception with
Clara and Harry. That was a house
did not know.
1t was awkward to have to an
nounce this sudden change of plan aft.
er her pretenses of the morning, but
Of late she had lived too constantly
with danger for Clara's uplifted eye
brows to daunt her. The mere trivial
act of being dressed each day was
fraught with danger. To get the sap
phire off her person before Marrika
should appear; to put 1t back some
how after Marrika had done; to shift
1t from n place to another as she
wore gowns cut high or low-and
every moment In fear lest she be dis
covered In the act! This was her
daily maneuver. Tonight she clasped
the chain around her waist beneath
her petticoats.
She was ready early, in the hope
that Harry might come, as he had
been wont to do, a little before the
appointed hour. But he turned up
without a moment to spare. Clara was
downstairs in her cloak when he ap-
peared. There was no chance for a
word at dinner. But If she could not
manage 1t later in the wider field of
the reception, why, then she deserved
to fail 1 everything.
But she found, upon their arrival,
that even this was going to be hard
to bring about. For she was imme-
diately bounced upon-frst, by Ella
Butler.
why, Flora" at the top of her
voice, where have you been all these
days?" Then in a hot whisper: did
you speak to her? It hasn't done one
bit of good"
II think you are mistaken" Flora
murmured. "But be careful, and let
me know" She had only time for
that broken sentence before she was
surrounded; and other voices took up
the chorus.
She realized with some alarm that
though she had forgotten her public,
it had kept its eye on her. She an
swered, laughing, that she was keep
ing Lent early, and allowed herself to
be drifted about through the crowd
by more or less entertaining people,
now and then getting glimpses of Har.
ry, tracking him by his FURNISHED
brown head, waiting her opportunity
to get him cornered. At last she saw
him making for the smoking-room. Con-
Meeting this with the drawing-room
where she stood was a small Nred
lounging-room, walls, floor and furni-
ture all covered with crimson velvet.
1t had a third door which commune
Gated Indirectly with the reception
rooms, by means of little hall. She
was near that hall, and 1t would be
the work of a moment to slip by way
of it into the red DON and stop Harry
on his way through. She had not
played at such a game since, as a
child, she had jumped out on people
from dark closets, and Harry was as
much astonished as she could remem-
Der they had been.
What in the world are you doing
here alone?" He spoke peevishly. u
don't g how a crowd of men can
leave such a bundle of fascination at
Target"
She made him a low courtesy and
said she was preventing him from do
ing so.
Its very good Of you, and you are
very pretty, Flora" he admitted with
a grudging smile, "but I've got to see
a man in here" His eyes went to the
door of the smoking-room whence
was audible a discussion Of voices
and among them Judge Buffers basso
She was between Harry and the door
Laughingly, he made as If to put hel
aside, when the door through which
she had entered opened again sharp
ly; and Kerr came in.
Forgive me. l followed you," hi
began. Then he saw Harry. "I-ha-
ha-Ive been hunting for you, Ores
sy, call the EVENING""
Harry accepted the statement will
a cynical smile. It was too e%vldentl.
not for him Kerr had been hunting
and after the first stammer of embar
rassment, the Englishman made no at
tempt to conceal his real intentions
His words merely served him as al
excuse not to retreat.
"This is a good place to sit" h
said, pushing forward a chair TO
Flora. She sank into 1t, wonderini
weakly what daring OF what DANCE
had brought him into a house wher
he was not known, to seek her. II
sat down in the compartment of
double settee near her. Harry stil
stood with a dubious smile on hi
face. The look the two men exchange
appeared to her a prolongment c
their earnest Interrogation in the pi'
ture gallery; but this time 1t struc
her that both carried it off less vel
Harry, especially, bore 1t badly.
did you say you were looking fo
me?" he remarked. well, Butler
been looking for you. He wants t
know about some Englishman tha
they're trying to put up at the club
"How's that? Oh, yes! ! remen
ber." Kerr shrugged. Never hear
of him at home, and can't vouch fe
every fellow who comes along jul
because he is English"
"Quite sol" said Harry, with
straight look at Kerr that made Flor
uncomfortable.
eTo BE CoNTINuEp1
R~asa4assS e~sa>-SssN ~sa-~ --'a''-" aS-'s
GOT THE NEWS.