Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1915-06-03

~banqueting hail with us paneiea oaA
ceiling. 1t was pleasant lounging
there in the cool old after the
hot sunshine outside. and as | gazed
around the place l noted how much
more luxurious and tasteful it now was
to what it had been in the days when
l had visited its wner several years
before.
we are awfully glad to be up here"
my pretty companion was saying. we
had such a busy season in London"
And then she went on to describe the
court ball, and two or three OF the
most notable functions about which
had read in my English paper beside
the Mediterranean.
She attracted me IN account OF her
bright vivacity, quick wit and keen
sense of humor, her gossip interested
me, andIas the golden sunset flooded
the handsome old room l sat listening
to her, inwardly admiring her innate
grace and handsome c~ountenance.
had no idea who or what her father
was-whether a wealthy manufacturer,
like so many who take expensive
shoots and give big entertainments in
order to edge their way into society by
its back door, or whether he was a
gentleman of means and of good fam
lily. | rather guessed the latter, from
his gentlemanly bearing and polished
manner. His appearance, tall n
erect, was that of a retired officer, n
his clean-cut face was n of marked
distinction.
was telling M pretty companion
something of my own life, how, be-
cause l loved Italy so we'll, l lived in
Tuscany in preference to living in Eng
land, and how each year came home
for a month or two to visit my rela-
lions and to keep in touch with things
Suddenly she said: 81 was once in
Leghorn for a few hours, We were
, yachting in the Mediterranean. love
; the sea-and yachting is such awfully
good fun, if you only get decent
/, weather."
The mention of yachting brought
back to my mind the visit of the Lola
: and its mysterious sequel.
Your father has a yacht, them"
= remarked, with as little concern as
could.
Eyes. The Iris. My uncle is cruising
on her up the Norwegian Fiords. Fo
us it is a change to be here, because
s. ,,,a ,,o .o oftan oAnatu
a 80 you must have made many loni
voyages, and seen many odd corners o
N the world, Miss Leithcourt?" l re
81 marked, my interest in her increasing
for she seemed so extremely INTEL
a gent and well informed.
N ooh, yes. We've been to Mexico
and to Panama, besides Morocco
M Egypt and the west coast of Africa"
M "And you've actually landed at Les
NJ horn!" | remarked.
M "Yes, but we didn't stay there NOR
M than an hour-to send a telegram,
M think it was. Father said there wa
NJ nothing to see there. He and / wer
Ny ashore, and | must say / was rattle
NJ disappointed"
. "You are quite right. The town
M self is ugly and uninteresting. But tt
MI outskirts-San Jacopo, Ardenza al
M Antigniano are all delightful. 1t WI
W unfortunate that you did not see thel
VA Was it long ago when you put
vi there?"
y mot very long. l really don't rec
n lect the exact date" was her rep
\ I'VE were on our way home from Ale
n andria."
n Have you ever, in any of the por
= you've been, seen a yacht called t
Lola?" l asked eagerly, for it occurr
to me that perhaps she might be al
to give me information.
"The Lola!" she gasped, and instat
" her face changed. A flush ov
spread her cheeks, succeeded next n
ment by a deathlike pallor. ct
ash Lola!" she repeated in a stranI
hoarse voice, at the same time
~deavoring s%trenuously not to exhi
SO any apprehension. mo. have neV
ID" heard of any such a vessel. Is she
yer. steam yacht? Who's her owner?"
MS l regarded her in amazement a
Inc suspicion, for | saw that mention
on the name had aroused within her so
the serious misgiving. That look in
UNI dark ayes as they fixed themsel'
ient upon me was one Of distinct and
W d speakable terror.
What could she possibly know c
corning the mysterious craft?
81 don't know the owners name
said, still affecting not to have mott
her alarm and apprehension. 90
H. vessel ran aground at the Meloris
-, dangerous shoal outside Leghorn,
through the stupidity of her capt
tha was very nearly lost"
"Yes?" she gasped, in a half-whis
bending to me eagerly, unable to
h+Iy fciently conceal the terrible anx
tton consuming her. And you-did yol
aboard herr"
az "Yes,' was the only word | utter
10Th. A silence fell between us, and as
eyes fixed themselves upon her,
pic- that from her handsome mobile c.
Is of tenance all the light and life had
her denly gone out ana knew nat
vide was in secret possession of the
her to that remarkable enigma that so
PIPER zled me.
i wa ly, cabbage and dried peas are
In iron Among the fruits that