Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-12-11

Ashton" she said with a curl OF her
lip, 81 mean-when we are alone"
"'Whiie we're together, and after
we part" he quoted. Fran, surely
you don't feel toward me the way you
are looking"
Exactly as I'm looking at you. that's
the way l feel. Stand there as long
as you please"
81 don't want to stand a moment
longer. l want to sit with you in the
buggy. Please don't be $3.50 old"
Fran laughed out unsteady, but i'm
mediately declared: Il laughed be-
cause you are unexpected; 1t doesn't
mean l like you any better. | hate
friendship that shows itself only in
private. Mr.. Chameleon, l like people
to show their true colors."
II am not Mr.. Chameleon, and ]
want to sit in your buggy"
well, then get in the very farthest
corner. Now look me in the eyes"
And, oh, Fran, you have such eyes!
They are so ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
friendly"
I'm glad you ended up that way.
Now look me in the eyes. Suppose
you should see the school-board sail
ing down the road, Miss Sapphire
thrown in. What would you do?"
What should l dol"
Hide, I suppose" said Fran, sud
denly ripping.
Then you look me in the eyes and
listen to me-" he said tmpressively.
weigh my words-haye you scales
strong enough?"
Put EN- on slow and careful"
ri am not Mr.. Chameleon for l show
my true color. And l am a real friend,
no matter what kind Of tree I am
He paused, cropping for a word.
"Up?" she suggested, with a sudden
chuckle. "All right-let the school
board come. But you don't seem sur
prised to see me here in the buggy
without Mr.. Simon"
when Mr.. Simon comes heu find
me right here" Abbott declared
Fran, please don't be always showing
your worst side to the town; when
/ you laugh at peoples standards, they
: think you queer-and you can't imag
inc just how much you are to me-"
"Huh!" Fran shifted. "Pd hate tc
be anybody's friend and have my
t friendship as little use as yours has
. been to me-"
/ He was deeply wounded. I've tried
d to give good advice"
t 81 don't need advice, / want help IL
carrying out what l already know.
Her voice vibrated. You're afraid o
losing your position If you havo any
thing to do with me. OF course In
queer. Can l help 1t, when / hav'
no real home, and nobody care
whether l go or stay?"
b "You know l care, Fran"
l Fran caught her lip between he
teeth as If to hold herself steady. "Oh
let's drive" she said recklessly, stril
ing at the dashboard with a whip, an
shaking her hair about her face til
she looked the elfish child he had frs
known.
Fran, you know | care-you kno'
It,"
, Wen drive into Sure-Enodg
! Country" she said with a half-smil
showing on the side of her face ne1
him. whoa! Here we are. All VIII
live in Sure.Enough Country are sur
enough people-whatever they say
true. Goodness!" She opened he
eyes very wide-"It's awful dangeror
to talk in Sure-Enough Country" Sf
Sc put up her whip, and folded he
hands.
I'm glad we're here, Fran, for yc
have your friendly look"
That's because I really do like 20
n Let's talk about yourself-how you e
n pect to be what you'll be-you're not
" ing yet, you know, Abbott; but no
ne did you come to determine to be som
&c thing"
Into Abbott's smile stole somethii
lg- tender and sacred. ut was all n
re mother" he explained simply. ISL
no died before l received my state &C
est tifcate, but she thought I'd be q gre
lie. man-so ! am trying for It."
DIV "And she'll e know FRI
lamentad.
cTo BE CONTINUED.)
NI LH