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

at the club. He must be in town, then,
on secret business
She walked rapidly, in her excite
ment, turning the troubling question
over in her mind. She did not realize
how far she had gone until some girl
she knew, passing and nodding to her,
called her out of her reverie. She
was almost in front of the University
club. A few blocks more and she
would be in the shopping district, She
hesitated, then decided that it would
be better to walk a little further and
take a cross-town car.
A group Of men was leaving the
club. Two fingered on the steps, the
other coming quickly out. At sight of
him, she averted her face, and, hurry
ing, turned the corner and walked
down a block. Her heart was beating
rapidly. What if he had seer her!
She looked about-there was no cab
in sight-the best thing to do was to
slip into one of the crowded shops,
full of women, and wait until the dan
ger had passed. Once inside the
door of the nearest, she felt herself,
with relief, only one of a horde of
pricers, lockers and buyers. She felt
as If she had lost her identity. She
went to the nearest counter and asked
for wells. Partly concealed behind
the bulk Of the woman next her, she
kept her eye on the door. She saw
Kerr come in. How absurd to think
that she could escape him! She turned
her back and waited a moment or
two, still hoping he might pass her
by. Then she heard his voice be-
hind her:
well, this Is luck!"
She was conscious of giving him a
limp hand. He sat down on the vacant
stool next her, laughing.
you are a most remarkably fast
walker" he observed.
II had to buy . VEIL" Flora muir
INJURED.
HAS it taken you all the morn
ing?"
She could see she had not fooled
him.
IT had a great many other things
to do" She was resolved not to ad-
nit anything.
mo doubt, but / wanted to see you
very much last night, and again this
morning, / may see you this even.
ing, perhaps?" He was grave now.
She saw that he awaited her answer
in anxiety.
"But-" she hesitated just a mo-
ment too long, before she added, 'I'm
going out this evening"
She started nervously to rise.
wait" he said in a voice that was
audible to the shop-girl, "your pack.
age has not come"
She looked at him h~elplessly, SO at.
tractive and so inimical to her. He
swung around, back to the counter,
and lowered his voice. did you know
I called upon you yesterday morning,
also?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Mr. Cressy and l waited for you to
gether. Did he mention it to you?"
mo" Her lips let the word Out
slowly.
That's a reticent friend of yours!'
The exclamation, and the truth of 1t
put her on her guard.
II can't discuss him with you" she
said coldly.
yet no doubt you have discussed
me with himT
"Never!"
"You haven't told him ~anything?'
The incredulity, the amazement of his
face put before her, for the first time
how extraordinary her conduct mus
seem. What could he think Of her
What construction would he put upor
it? She blushed, neck to forehead
and her voice was scarcely audible al
she answered mo"
But at that small word his whole moot
warmed to her. "Why. them" he be
gan eagerly, "if Greasy doesn'
know"
"Oh, but he" Flora stopped in ter
ror of herself. 81 can't talk of him
I must not. Don't ask mel" she i'm
plored, "and please, please don't COM
to my house again!"
He gave his head a puzzled, i'm
patient shake. "Then where am ! tt
see your
"In a few days-perhaps tomorrow
I will let you know" She rose. Sh'
had her package now. She was gel
ting back her courage. There was n
further way Of keeping her.
"a But he followed her closely throug'
the crowd to the door. YES" he sal,
quickly under his breath, "in a fey
days, perhaps tomorrow, as soon a
you get rid of 1t, you won't mind meet
ing me! What are you afraid Of
Surely not of met"
She was, but holly denied it.
II am not afraid Of you. I al
afraid Of them!"
"Of them!" He peered at he
what are you talking about now?"
All, she had said too much! Sh
bit her lip. They had reached th
corner, and the gliding cable car wa
approaching. She turned to him wit
a last appeal.
Don't ask me anything! Don
come with me! Don't follow mel"
Not until she was safely inside tt
car did she dare look back at hin
He was still on the corner, and b
raised his hat and smiled so reassu
ingly that she was halfway home b
fore she realized that, in spite of a
she had urged upon him, he had M
committed himself to any promis
And yet, she thought in dismay, /
had almost made her give away Ha