Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-12-14

her cneekS, tlnglng even the sneif
like ear. Believer saw, with infinite
that the first encounter was to
be decided in his favor. He smiled
and bowed. looking very handsome in
evening dress.
Il hope" he yentured, that you
are not tired after your drive"
Mrs. Fleetwood was looking at him
across her daughter.
rs it possible" she had begun.
I'm afraid it is, mamma" Lesley
cut in mischieyously. Somewhere
there's been a very big mistake.
Whether it's our fault or this gentle
mans, | don't know"
Let me take all the blame" said
Believer, hastily, "if blame there be-
for letting myself appear to be what
| am not. 1t was hard to Withstand
the temptation Of having two ladies
as companions on the drive"
"And made personal remarks.
and gave you two francs for your
self" Lesley threw up her two little
nandS In horror.
1T vas the sincerest compliment /
ever received" said Believer. Il shall
always keep the coin in recollection
Of the pleasantest drive of my life"
He was wonderfully happy again by
this time.
"And that was really your own
coach and you are not an ltalian?"
Il am as little Italian as you are.
| drive my coach for my W pleasure
about this coast. I have rented one
of those old watch towers which we
passed on the way and am having 1t
furnished and fitted up for me now.
1t would give me great pleasure II
you and your mother will take tea
with me there one afternoon"
THAT would be delightful" Lesley
exclaimed; but her forehead had a
little, thoughtful pucker and she
spoke abstractedly. Believer feared
that she was trying to recall the
things she had said in English to her
mother in the course Of the drive, and
to keep her from a reflection that
might be dangerous to himself, he
dashed into conversation.
by the way" Lesley was saying
1--WE saw in the visitors book that
Lord Believer is In the hotel. He seems
to have arrived to-day, for his name
is just under ours. Do you happen
to know him?"
Lesley had glanced %curiously as she
spoke along the row of diners linger
ing over their nuts, and now she
turned full to her companion. In
spite of himself he flushed scarlet. He
was beginning a stammering reply
when the look on the girls face
checked his words. The truth hat
flashed into her understanding like {
lightning stroke and she was endur
ing bitter modification when she re
membered how freely she had Spoken
Of him in his own hearing. Her face
first crimsoned, then froze into ic!
haughtiness. Believer looked at he
b~eseechingly and would have Spoken
had she not stopped him with a ges
ture. She murmured something t.
her mother, both ladies' rose, and
turning their backs on Believer, with
out a word or sign, they Joined tn
crowd moving from the room.
The lamps In the long, white hous'
were nearly all extinguished when a
last Believer went to bed, but not tt
sleep. As soon as 1t was light mex
morning, he was dressed and out
and, taking a small boat on the beach
he pulled out beyond the tiny pie
that forms the harbor of Amalf. Rest
ing on his oars, he looked up to thu
quaint, white hotel.
Suddenly a window was throw
open and a graceful figure, dressed
in some loose, white morning wrap
per, stepped out on the balcony. !
was she!g Believers heart beat fas
as he looked up at the girl he ha,
loved at first sight standing with2on
little hand shading her eyes from tn
sun, drinking in the beauty of tn
scene. Presently she looked down, a
it seemed, into his very eyes. H
thought she recognized him, for wit
an impatient movement che hastil
went in, closing the window after hel
Dejectedly Believer rowed ashor
and mounted the long flights of step
to the hotel. He thought of packin
up his things at nee and finding al
other lodging until his own plac
should be ready for h~Abitation; but
certrin obstinacy in his nature bel
him from his course. After all, wa
he SO much to blame? Had he don
a thing too bad for forgiveness?
he frankly a~pologized to the ladiei
ought they not to forget his impulsiy
error of taste and receive him agai
on a footing of friendship? He dete
mined to seize the first opportunit
for an explanation.
He had not long to wait, for as h
was passing down the long corridc
on his way to the salle-a-manger fl
breakfast a door opened in front
him and Lesley herself appearei
miss Fleetwood" He had begu
appealingly, when she turned on BIZ
a look SO full Of resentment that tt
words died on his lips. She passe
him with a hardening Of the daint
Features and her pretty chin in IL
air. Believer fell back, biting his Il
For the next two or three hours
wandered wretchedly about Il
ancient town and presently found hir
self again at the little port, where |
!, began to talk with n Of the Italia
| masons employed on the works #
strengthening the pier. Sudden
this man broke off in an explanatit
he was giving Of the means by Whit
/ they transported and sunk the hea'
i blocks Of concrete and raised a wal
J, ing finger. With startled eyes he w
, looking up at the great cliff that TO