Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-06-26

into his pretty speech and did not
allow him to reach the end Of
II. This time, when he was through,
she said:
Henry, I'm going to tell you the
big secret. It's another mani"
Henry nearly fell off the chair. He
had often thought this might be the
solution, but the confirmation of the
suspicion was startling just the same.
He was almost sorry he had learned
the secret now, for in a way he would
be taking a rather sneaking advantage
of an absent rival if he continued his
suit. 1t was all right when he did not
know there was another man." but
now it was different.
While he sat mum in a state border
ing desperation, Hope went to the
dresser and brought forth the picture.
She handed it to him, and while he
gazed at the face In 1t with a sort Of
vindictive CLEAN in his eyes, she told
him the story of the photograph. Slow
ly a smile spread over Henry's face
as he listened to the tale of how the
ideal came to be, and he bent low
over the likeness of his rival" in or
der to hide the manifestations of mer-
riment that were taking possession Of
his countenance.
The next evening, while Hope was
busy reading a book, some n knocked
at her door.
Henry again." she decided, and
went. to the door, which she flung
open. The man who stood there was
an exact replica Of the photograph. 1t
was the idol, she could not doubt that.
Yes, there were the kindly eyes and
benevolent forehead, and the heavy
mustache.
In a daze she held the door open
and watched the aparition enter, with
out speaking, and set himself comfort
ably in a chair.
"Why do you treat me so coldlyT"
asked the flesh and blood idol.
Haven't you been waiting for me to
Gomez"
She closed the door and stood look.
ing down at him, unable as yet to
grasp as a reality the fact that she
was gazing upon the living original Of
the picture that lay in the dresser
drawer. Perhaps she was dreaming,
she thought, and even looked for a
| pin with which to prick herself as q
test.
Suddenly the strange visitor broke
outtinto laughter, shaking all over and
rocking back and forth with his head
held in his hands.
"What-what are you doing" Hope
managed to inquire in a rather thin
sounding voice.
I'm laughing !" he roared, and then,
behold Off came the heavy mus
tache. Out came the mans handker'
chief and with it he obliterated vari-
Gus benevolent" wrinkles from his
forehead. The kindly eyes remained
because they were Henry Wads'
worth's, and his always were that
way.
Hope sank weakly into a chair. She
was unable to understand whether he
was playing a rather crude hoax OF
her or whether the photograph in hel
possession actually was n of Henry
with the makeup which he had just
removed. He evidently OWNED >hel
thoughts, for he said:
"Don't be angry, Hope. I can't help
it. Your idol and l are n and the
same. 1 had it taken when I was play
ing the title role of 'Miser Noses and
l left the photograph in my room when
I quit living at Mrs. blossoms place
You evidently were the next occupant
of the room and you found the pic
ture. How about it, are you still bent
on marrying the picture man or will
you have me? Either way, it's Henry
Wadsworth that will be the lucky man
because I'm BOTH"
Hope looked meek and submissive
| and yet there was a lot of happiness
shining in her eyes as she replied:
"Ill take you both, then. I've often
wished during the last few months
that I could do that"