Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-09-12

Ia task by him for leaving her sister
to die OF loneliness.
When she tried to defend her action
he waved aside her explanation, but
his next words opened the mental
eyes of his bewildered listener.
"The only way out Of it is for MI
RAM to marry me. / have been want
ing her to do it for ten years. / am
not going to sit quietly and see her
pine away before my eyes-I want you
to tell Miriam that it is her duty to
be my wife, not to keep a home for
you as she has always insisted. You
would be as dear as a sister to me and
could have a home with US always if
you would"
Jocelyn gave a little laugh. "You
nearly scared me to death, but now I
see through your deep laid scheme.
You know I have always liked you,
Oliver. Why didn't you ask me to
help you before. instead OF keeping
your counting of Miriam secret all
this time? Tomorrow is my day for
visiting, and l shall surely lay down
the law to my dear old goose of a sis
ter. She shall be happy, even If I
have to force her into it"
What a dumb-head / have BEEN"
remarked Oliver disgustedly. 81 never
dared speak to you on the subject for
fear you would go into hysterics-Mir-
lam was sure the mere suggestion
would break your heart" He gave
Jocelyn's hand a brotherly squeeze as
he took his departure.
Jocelyn kept her word, and on the
day following gave Miriam a severe
lecture on her duty to the man who
had loved her SO long and waited for
her SO patiently. Before she left, a
brotherin-law for herself had be-
come an admitted possibility in the
near future.
On returning to the Norton resi-
dence after this interview, its house.
keeper found unusual signs Of exs
element.
"Oh, Miss Newell" was the greet
ing Of Mary the parlor-maid, Mrs.
Norton's nephew has come, and they
have been talking together over an
hour. Mrs. Norton said put him in the
blue room, and he would stay a long
time she hoped"
Il am glad he has come, Mary; 1t
will do Mrs. Norton good and we must
make him comfortable" Jocelyn hast
ened to her room, feeling to her own
surprise decidedly blue.
Removing her wraps, she threw a,
shawl about her shoulders and slipped
out of doors. Mrs. Norton and her
nephew we're evidently settled for
the evening, and a lonely feeling
came over the young housekeeper as
she heard their voices in passing,
After rambling for some time in the
moonlight, Jocelyn seated herself on a
bench by the boundary wall, and
faced the situation. what a selfish
thing I am! Just because Miriam is
to be made happy in spite of herself,
and Mrs. Norton has the only per-
son she has on earth left to love come
to brighten her up, I fall into the
dumps! It's a nice way Of practicing
the Golden Rule"
But this self directed lecture failed
of its effect, for to Jocelyn's disgust
she found herself sobbing softly. She
rubbed the tears fiercely away.
tTTyL,xr MFR kTar,,oJI u,1r+ - +ho
natter" asked a sympathetic voice,
as Jocelyn gave a final dab. She
looked up with a start to find herself
confronted by a tall young man, who
continued, "Aunt Alma sent me to
bring her treasured housekeeper in
out of the dew, but she will be sorry
4 found you in tears. Can't / do
something to help you?"
mo, for / am crying because I am
the most selfish creature on EARTH"
she answered. "Should you sympa-
thize with some one who cried be-
cause she was going to have for a
brother-in-law a man she had always
liked?"
Il should sympathize with my
aunt's perfect housekeeper whatever
her t~rouble-she has told me. all
about you-but I am glad it is no
worse"
"Mrs. Norton is the best woman
that ever lived" Jocelyn rose as she
spoke. T must see that she is prop
erly fixed for the night. Please don't
tell her what a goose I have been"
"You need not fear that I will be-
tray a confidence" he answered.
Eugene Ralston proved a great adj.
dition to the household, he carried
both Mrs. Norton and her housekeep-
er off on all sorts Of excursions. IT
am a stranger and want to see the
country" was his excuse, and Joce-
lyn silently blessed him as she saw
the pink beginning to creep back into
Mrs. Norton's cheeks, !
Miriam was married to her patient
Oliver in midsummer, and the couple
went for a short trip; but Jocelyn
found that only Joy for her sister filed
g OuS f
II must be growing less selfish--I
certainly hope So" she said to her
self. .
On the night of the wedding Eugene.
Ralston and Jocelyn strolled together
1T seems better to have a brother
In law that you feared, doesn't it?"
Eugene asked.
II am delighted--f begin to hope
that I am overcoming selflshness." !
"The idea of your being selfish
you don't know the meaning Of the
word" ss.f
Jocelyn laughed. THAT only shows
how little you know of the real me."l
Il know that Aunt Alma found al