Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1913-04-10

What do you brighten a man like
that for?" he cried. What l was 60
ing to say
Fortune"
What was going to say, Fortune,
was this: Here is the cable from Nor
timer. I'm not going to open it till
after dinner tonight. Well go up to
the Bertolini to dine. You'll stay
there for the night, while l put up at
the Bristol, which is only a little ways
up the Corso. I'm not going to ask
you a question till coffee. Then we'll
thrash out the subject till there isn't
a grain left"
She made no protest. Secretly she
was pleased to be bullied like this. 1t
proved that among all these swarming
peoples there was one interested in
her welfare. But she knew In her
heart what she was going to say when
the proper time came. She did not
wish to spoil his dinner. She was also
going to put her courage to its su-
preme test; borrow a hundred pounds,
and bravely promise to pay him back.
II she failed to pay it, 1t would be be-
cause she was dead. For she could
not survive a comparison between
herself and her mother. Here In
Naples she might find something, an
opportunity. She spoke French and
Italian fluently; and in this crowded
season Of the year 1t would not be diff
fcult to find a situation as a maid or
companion. So long as she could earn
a little honestly, she was not afraid.
She was desperately resolved.
Such a dinner! Long would she re-
member it; and longer still, how little
either Of them ate of it! She knew
enough about these things to appreci-
ate it. 1t must have cost a pretty
penny. She smiled, she laughed, she
jested; and always a battle to dam the
uprising tears.
The dining-room was filled; women
in beautiful evening gowns and men
in sober black. But the two young
people were oblivious. Their fellow
diners, however, bent more than one
glance in their direction. Ill-fitting
clothes, to be sure, but it was OBJ
served that they ate to the manner
born. The girl was beautiful in a
melancholy way, and the young man
was well-bred and pleasant Of feature,
though oddly burned.
Coffee, George produced the cable.
1t was still sealed.
"You read 1t first" he said, passing
1t across the table.
Her hands shook as she ripped the
sealed flap and opened the message.
She read. Her eyes gathered danger
ously.
BE CAREFUL" he warned. you've
been brave SO long; be brave a little
longer"
81 did not know that there lived
such good and kindly men. Oh, thank
him, thank him a thousand times for
me. Read it." And she no longer
cared If any saw her tears.
Bring her home, and God bless you
both. MORTIMER"
81 knew i'll" he cried exultantly.
He and my father were the finest two
men in the world. The sky Is all clear
now"
as it?" sadly ooh, l do not wish to
pain you, but It is charity; and | am
too proud"
You refuse?" He could not believe
it.
Eyes. But when things grow dark,
and the day turns bitter, / shall always
remember those words. | can see nc
other way. | must fight 1t out alone"
Love makes a man dumb or elo.
quent; and as George saw all his
treasured dreams fading swiftly, elo-
quence became his buckler in this bat.
tie of love unspoken and pride in arms,
Each time he paused for breath, she
shook her head slowly.
The diners were leaving In twos and
tours, and presently they were all
alone. Servants were clearing up the
tables; there was a clatter Of dishes
and a tread Of h%urrying feet. They
noted it not.
We'll, one more plea!" And he
swept aside his s~elf-imposed restric.
tons. vii you come for my sake!
Because l am lonely and want you
Will you come for my sake%
This time her head did not move.
rs 1t pity?" she whispered.
PITY" His hands gripped the
linen and the coffee-cups ratified. mo!
it is not pity. Because you were lone.
ly, becaussgou had no one to turn to
| could not in honor tell you. But now
I do. Fortune, will you come for my
sake, because love you and want you
always and alwaysT
II shall come"