Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-02-11

He watched her sunny little inquire,
the clean, fresh dress. the dangling
sun bonnet, and the soft, dancing curls
as she flew along toward home again
sWell, re- exon I'll have to see what
it is, . he said.
He walked slowly to the edge of the
field, vaulted over the rail-fence, and
crossed the road to where the old hol-
low tree stood. He stopped and put
his hand within. and then drew it out
with shame-faced air.
''Just one of Zouri's jokes, reckon.
She'll think I'm an old fool to come
down here at ALL
one hand resting on its trunk. Just
four years ago yesterday since Seth
and stopped speaking, and this is the
first time one of his family's been ON
my land, to my knowing. Not another
one of 'em would dare to come but
Zouri"
He shuffied around again to the hol-
low. II reckon I'll try once mere" he
said.
This time he dropped upon his knees,
put his arm far into the opening and
felt carefully around. He found it, all
crumpled and not very clean. Then
he slowly opened and read 1.-THE lit
tie scrawl that had cost Zouri SO much
to write.
1t was like message from Seth, and
all the old-time love for his brother
came into Joe's heart as he read Zouri's
valentine.
I'm sorry Tenny has to go on crutch-
es." Here was the great sorrow OF
Joe's life, for Tenny was to him what
Zouri was to Seth, and all her young
strength had gone, and left her pa
tient, suffering little cripple.
So he stood there and wept over
Zouri's tender words. ''God bless her
for sending it," he murmured.
AS he stood there he heard her call.
ing from far down the road:
"Uncle Joe! oh, Uncle Joel"
He turned and saw Zouri running to.
ward him, somewhat pale and fright
ened. He stopped and held open his
arms, and she rushed into them. Then
he kissed her silently.
II was afraid to cross the plank at
the pond" she said.
Never mind, Zouri," he said, ''Ill
take you over the pond
He held her gently in his arms and
carried her as easily as If she had been
a baby.
Did you get it, Uncle Joe?" she
whispered.
Eyes, honey, it was the best little
letter that ever 1 had. How'd you hap
pen to send it, Zouri?"
'"Cause wanted to. after you told
al oi
with you any more, Uncle Joe! l told
poppy so, too"
'I'm very glad, Zouri. Well be good
friends now, won't we, honey?"
The day was drawing to beautiful
close All along by the side of the
water and in the woods and fields the
sounds of night could be heard as the
shadows of twilight grew longer and
the last rosy light of the day melted
into darkness.
Zouri slipped from Uncle Joe's arms
to the ground after they had safely
passed the pond, but she held his
hand and he saw that he must take her
home, or at least within sight of the
house.
''Zouri," he asked, ''did your father
know you were going to bring ma
that valentine?"
mo; 1 wouldn't tell him what it
was. He knew / was going to do
something he didn't want me to; but
Georgia and Lous'any knew. and they
told me I'd be whipped for it But
won't!''
They were drawing near home now.
The lighted candles and lamps shone
with cheerful light in the darkness.
''l'l leave you at the big gate,
Zouri. You won't be afraid then,
reckon"
Zouri did not answer, and Joe felt q
pain at his heart as the thought came
that, after all, the child did not care
whether he went further or not.
"Here he comesr' she cried, sudden
ly. Hes hunting for me, reckon.
Now he'll make you come in and sit on
the other side of the chimlyr'
Yes. there was Seth coming along
the road to meet them. Joe pressed
Zouri's hand tightly in his and was 81
lent.
Seth called out in the darkness:
''Zouri, is that your"
''Yes. poppy; l and Uncle Joe. He
brought me home"
Seth stopped an instant and then
came nearer.
SIS it you, Joe?"
eyes, Seth; me an Zouri." Joe felt
the need of companionship just then.
'sShake hands with Uncle Joe, pop
by! He's comm in to sit in that chair
across the chimly from you asked
him tor
Seth held ont his hand and said:
Come on, Joe, that chairs been
empty these four years. l reckon
you'd better come in and use it to-
night. Zouri's got better sense than her
father"
81 told him bout Tenny, Uncle Joe.
an he's sorry, too" said Zouri.
Seth laid one hand on Joe's shoulder,
while with the other he led little Zouri
toward the house. Both arm-chairs
were filed that evening, and little
girl sat first on the knees
that occupied one chair, and then on
those which occupied the other, until at
last she fell asleep in Uncle Joe's
arms, and was carried to bed with his
kiss and blessing resting on her fore
head.
There amt many like her, Seth.n
he said. "You ought to be mighty
and die this minute if l could see my
Tenny strong and hearty like her."
Then there came a pause.
Ibid you suspect what she was up to,
Seth?'
II wasn't rightly certain but it had
to do with you or Tenny.