Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-06-04

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s,aow all about the duel, of course?"
Shirley shrank ~imperceptibly now.
The subject touched Valiant so closely
it seemed almost as if it belonged to
him and to her alone-not a thing to
be fiippantly touched on. "Yes," she
said somewhat slowly, every n here
knows of it."
mo doubt it has been almost forgot
ten," the other continued, but Johns
coming must naturally have revamped
the old story. What was it about
the quarrel? A love-affair?"
Its so long ago." murmured Shir-
ley. Il suppose some one could tell
If they would"
Major Bristow, perhaps" conjec-
tured Katharine thoughtfully.
"He was one of the seconds" admit
ted Shirley unhappily. "But by com
mon consent that side of it wasn't
talked Of at the time. Men in Vir-
ginia have old-fashioned ideas about
women. .
'Ah, it's fine of them!" paeaned
Katharine. Il can imagine the men
who knew about that dreadful affair,
in their southern chivalry, drawing a
Gordon Of silence about the name of
that girl with her broken heart. For
if she loved n of the two, it must
have been Sassoon-not Valiant, else
he would have stayed. How terrible
to see ones lover killed in such a way.
1t was quickly ended for him,
but the poor woman was left to bear it
all the years. l fancy she would never
wholly get over it, never be able to
forget him, though she tried"
Shirley made some reply that was
lost in the whirring wheels. The 9th
er's words seemed almost an echo of
what she herself had been thinking.
Maybe she married after a while,
too. A woman must make a life for
herself, you know. If she lives here,
it will be sad for her, this opening Of
the old wound by Johns coming. .
And looking so like his father"
Katharine paused. There was a kind
of exhilaration in this subtle batting.
Shirley stirred uneasily; and ip the
glimpsing light her face looked trou-
bled. Katharine's voice had touched
pathos, and in spite of her distaste of
the subject, Shirley had been entering
into the feeling of that supposititious
woman.
The judge, on the front seat, was
telling a low-toned story owe his
shoulder for the delectation of Nancy
and Betty, but Shirley was not listen
ing. Her whole mind was full of what
Katharine had been saying. She was
picturing to herself this woman, her
secret hidden all these years, hearing
Of John Valiant's coming to Damory
court, learning of this likeness, shrink.
ing from sight Of it, dreading the pain
full memory it must thrust upon her.
"Suppose"-Katharine's voice was
dreamy-"that she and John met sud.
denly, without warning. What would
she do? Would she say anything?
Perhaps she would faint. :"
Shirley started violently. Her hands,
as they drew her cloak uncertainty
about her, began to tremble, as il with
cold. Something fell from them to the
bottom Of the surrey.
Through her chiffon veil Katharine
noted this with a slow smile. 1t had
been easier than she had thought. She
said no more, and the carriage rolled
on, to the accompaniment Of giggles
over the judges peroration. AS il
neared the Rosewood lane she leaned
toward Shirley.
"You have dropped your fam" sale
she and your gloves, too.
l might have reached them for you
Why, we are there already. How short
the drive has seemed"
Don't drive up the lane, Lige,'
said Shirley. and her voice seemed
sharp and strange wen to herself
The wheels would wake mother.
Katharine babe her goodby with care
full sweetness, as the judge bundled
her down in his strong friendly arms
NO" she told him, don't COM will
me. It's not a bit necessary. EN-
maline will be waiting for me-"
He climbed into her vacant place a
the girls called their good nights
Well all sleep late enough in thu
morning, I reckon" he said with
laugh, "but it's been a great SUGGEST
Emmaline was crouched in a chat
In the hall, a rug thrown over he
knees, in open-mouthed slumber. Sh
started up at the touch of Shirley
hand, yawning widely.
II clare to goodness" she muttered
II was jes' fixin' t. go t. sleep!"
Tim 80 tired, Emmaline. TAX
the crown. It's heavy"
, The negro woman untangied tn
glittering points from the meshin
, hair with careful fingers. "Po' Ii
chickydee-dee!" she said lovingly
"Reck'n she flop all tn feddahs QUITE