Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-10-08
A Ccward's
Courage.
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UNI you heal 1t, Mark-that
- light step, step, behind us.
Talk of the quiet of the woods. there
is no such thing"
Florence Lindsay peered over her
shoulder searching the brush-shaded
hillside for the disturbing feet.
Mark Lindsay sprang from his
couch OF brown leaf-mound, saying:
No Mime. Fine Ear, l hear nothing,
u will gladly search for the depreda-
tor"
You'll not find him that way" said
Florence. I'VE are the intruders dis
turbing the woodland housekeeping.
Sit down again Mark, l want to tell
you something"
'Ha! There he is! Look at him.
F~lo-entirely substantial and harm
less, my superstitious wife, do as
sure you. There he goes. He has
added wings to his steps and taken a
coign of vantage where he can spy
upon us. Quite handsome for a mag
pie. y . = Glad to make your ac-
quaintance, SIR" Mark bowed with
profound respect in the birds direc-
ton.
Florence laughed with relief and
fun as the saucy-looking bird settled
himself on a bough high above their
heads and studied them with sidelong
scrutiny. HE needs only spectacles
to look quite professional. But come,
Mark, | want to tell you something |
never told before"
80 you have reserved confidence
these six long months of our union"
said Mark, teasingly, as he returned
to his place among the brown leaves.
The lady studied the place, looking
up the length of tree-boles and out
over the mystery of wood depths far
below, signing a little that there
should Turk about it all a spirit of I'M
rest.
II I'M a coward, Mark" she abrupt
ly announced, afraid of all sorts Of
things, but most of all sounds that [
can't define"
Don't believe it of yourself-you,
a fearless horsewoman, and timid!"
Mark was not disturbed by the confess
sion.
"A fearless horsewoman in the park
and in the company Orwell, yourself
for instance-but you know this is al
most my first experience in the real
wildness of out-of-doors. 1t has al
ways been"-a touch Of sarcasm in
her voice-"dusted and aired in the
summer resorts. But here, only a
brief climb from the snow-line of our
Sierra Nevada range, it is most SUI
perbly new"
"Your fear doesn't spoil your pleas
ure, then? You like our camp"
Mark was sleepily solicitous.
Camp is all that one could desire.
Your friends, the D~ennisons-it is
good to know them-are wholly will
ing to foster the latent barbarian in
U.s."
"Fred's a fine fellow" Mark idly as
sented, whistling to the policeman
maybe. wish his health was better.
But he must get well here If any
where. This claim of his is over 81
coo feet above the valley. The stream
running through the place comes
from the heart of the SHOWS; the can
yons are full Of game, and best of all,
to my notion, the resinous odor of the
pines all about him. | have great
faith in pines. But tell me more OF
your vile courage, Mrs. Mark. Per-
haps something can be done about it.
You don't look like a fearsome per-
son."
I'm vigorous enough, surely"
Florence Strengthened out her fine
shoulders and held out a well-mus-
cled arm. Il have friends who are
little more than bundles of nerves,
whose bravery is a thing for man him
self to envy" She lightly sighed,
adding: Its a desperate flaw in q
characteristic cowardice."
They started many a little bustling
creature from his feast of grasses and
Juicy roots, and awakened a sleepy
horned owl, just to see him blink his
yellow eyes. Florence bent quite
sportsmanlike over a 0 track that
Mark traced in the wet mould on the
bank Of the stream.
"He was here, lately" said Mark,
studying the bear-like impression.
Something disturbed him, for he is
a night prowler, like all the rest. That
reminds mel must leave long before
daylight. Andy, Fred's man, goes
with me, and I hope to bring You a
handsome pair Of antlers. You will
study out more woodcraft by yourself
and let me know Of your progress"
1T will be lovely, Mark, but--thc
naGes are many. and--yes, III have q