Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-04-30
COPYRIGHT. 1861


showing the figure of a young girl who,
as she ran feet footed over stony road
wore a crimson shawl drawn snugly
about her shoulders; and, from under
on old straw hat that had been blown
askew by the wind, escaped a curling
mass of chestnut hair.
Behind her stretched a wide sweep OF
gently undulating country, sparsely
dotted at rare intervals by dwellings;
while, like the diamonds in marquise
:ing, flashed the lights from small
neighboring settlement, known as Gar
rvs Corners.
The girls eyes wandered neither to
right or left, but were fixed.with breath.
less Impotence, upon a deso1ate-look-
ing frame structure, standing directly
in front of her. on the brow of a hill.
Pushing open the gate, Alice Deering
made her way hastily to the kitchen
door, On which she raped sharply.
Mother! Mother!" called she, &C.
centuating her knocking with urgent
voice. Let me in, guick!"
4 woman, whose dark eyes flashed
like beacon lights from under heavy
brows, opened the door and stood peer
ing out into the darkness. Back Of her,
in the kitchen, kerosene lamp
burned with uneven flame.
"You're late" she muttered, fretful
ly. We've had supper long ago. You
shouldn't stay out SO long. Anice."
The girl pushed aside the lean arm
which her mother-in-law had stretched
across the door, and elbowing her way
into the house, turned the key in the
lock.
''Mother!" she gasped. ''T've got
dreadful news; I don't know how to tell
it."
For moment she leaned against the
wall, ciutching at the old red shawl and
struggling for breath; then, between
sobs. she poured forth her story.
They're coming! There is not a
doubt Of it. I've just heard the whole
thing. You know that big oak tree in
front of the post office? l was stand
ing behind it, reading a letter, when
Judge Daily passed; ard just then John
1ialioran came out of the office. They
whispered together, not two feet from
where / stood, and heard every word"
Mrs. behring's face had been as
flushed as that of her daughter-in-laM,
but it suddenly became pale; her nos
triis quivered as when war horse
scents battle from afar.
Quick" she commanded. Tell me
everything. Is Roger in danger?"
They are not satisfied with the ac-
quital," walled Anice: they say-oh!
they say that Roger murdered Davis in
cold blood, and they will take the law in
their own hands, this very night"
This - very night" echoed the
elder woman, with startled emphasis.
She turned, and as if in a daze threw
wood on the fire, adding sharply, as the
flames leaped up: They shall not have
him
:. responsive flash lighted from the
blue eyes of Deering' wife.
Wen die first" said she, flinging
aside her crimson shawl.
I've run all the way home, and
planned as 1 run. We will save him.
Don't lose nea-t, mother"
Hes upstairs in the north chamber,
reading" returned Mrs. Deering. '.He
has Light burning! don't know but
it should be OUT
"Eoger.." called -inice, with soft but
imperative voice. Roger
\ door at the head CT the stairs
opened quickly, and mans deep-toned
response was heard.
''P,,. your lamp out and come down
at once" cried the mother. Her tall,
angular figure seemed to have suddenly
stitfened and assumed greater height.
She i'eseilbled a grenadier.
Presently a fair-haired Young man,
with q snloothly-shaven almost bovish
face. ran lightly down the creaking
stairs.
He paused on the lowest step. gazing
in blank establishment at the excited
faces of the women.
Mother. Anice." he cried. What
has happened? Are you"
Anice darted forward, and interrupt
ing her husband, laid a firm, white hand
upon his arm.
.'1ioger. I've overheard Daily and
tohn Halloran talking. They are plan
ming to revenge Davis: your life is in
danger. Wait-tlon't hinder mel
must tell you the whole thing. Oh.
Roger! They are coming tonight to
drag you from me-and-and-" She
gasped at the last word. but braveIv
began again. Listen, Mother and /
viii save you. 1t is too light to get
away now. That must be given up.
tut, Jou know the old chest in the
..-.ret, where mother packed your ia
lher's clothes after he died. You mus.
make air holes in the lid, cover yourself
with some of the clothing, and lie still.
It's large enough"
She paused again. breathing heavily.
In the freight Mrs. behring's black
ives flashed, like those of a panther
about 20 spring. She stood resting one
hand upon her hips, and the other
pressed, palm fat, upon her cheek.
The young man leaned with foioed
arms against the wall, and the red
blood showed easily through his fair
skin, famed in crimson patches on his
lace.
As his wife stopped in her torrent of
speech; he caught up her words; but
gain she forced him into silence.
"Iunocentl OF course. / know you