The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-06-30
CHAPTER "


Toward the close OF a raw day in
January there was stir on board
the Cumberland was In sight! Gray
and green. the water OF the two rivers
blended in a muddy torrent. At the
last bend in the Ohio they came In
sight OF the notIlla. Moored on the
bank were the boats. and moving about
the shore the pilgrim voyagers. There
was fiutter of handkerchiefs. and a
halloo OF welcome as the newcomer
glided to a landing-place, and the tired
travellers stepped 70 shore.
Mrs. Blennerhasset's eyes sought but
one face In the crowd. Her husband
sat on fallen tree in the background
His companion, with whom he was In
earnest conversation, was small, litne
man. below the medium height, under
whose high. pointed forehead dark eyes
flashed with mesmeric power. These,
and the dilated nostrils. were the only
signs OF excitement His voice was
very low, his manner quiet. with move
ments restrained except that he con
stantly poked one long forefinger In mis-
listeners face. All the yehemence OF
a strong soul seemed condensed In that
gesture.
A man approached and, bowling, said:
"Col. Burr, our party from the east
has come, and word has II that Mrs
Blennerhasset Is with them"
Harmon Blennerhasset rose with a
startled exclamation: MY wife-here?
But that is not our boat" And ne
rushed to the landing. where his wife
with her little sons and the Others were
discriminating.
Welcome. Mavourneen! And you,
Mrs. Creighton? And Lavender? Will
wonders never cease2"
In the midst Of the hurried explana-
ton which followed, Col. Burr APP
preached. He greeted the ladies' with
a soft cordiality rather fitted to ne
drawing room than this river bank,
where every lingering ray OF sun
served but 10 illumine the embracing
waters. leaving the snow-pied bluffs on
either side In dusky gloom.
The leader invited the newly arrived
voyagers TO supper on his boat. and
the time passed delightfully."-: enliyened
| by the seductive charm OF his manner
and conversation. Winslow too, was
brilliant talker when the spirit
moved and they. with the two elder
women. flashed wit and wisdom to
which The others listened with an ad-
miring attention which was a good
fashion OF the time.
Later. however current OF sadness
lay underneath the gayety, and Layen-
der slipped out. and up to the deck
alone.
The moon low-hung and wan, like a
dim torch lighted a wandering wrack
OF clouds. The quiet beauty OF the
night, and the lullaby OF waves rocking
the anchored boat. soothed herds
PEELED her forebodings OF the uncertain
morrow.
Pardon mel seem destined to dis
turb your reyeries."
She smiled family az winslow's ap-
/ proach. but made no reply. and for a
/ time they stood together In silence. re
was conscious OF her mood. with an In
stinctlve delicacy commonly called
feminine, but which, when II exists az
all in men. Is above that OF women.
The power OF Winslow's personality
lay In a happy adaptation. when he 80
pleased. 10 the moods OF others.
"The moon has unsociably drawn be-
hind that veil Of cloud. Can't | take
her place. and share ysur thoughts?
will be as silent as confessor. II you
command"
You are very kind but for your own
sake do not open your ears 10 my bur-
dons. Why. they are heavy for me-
and am a womani" she concluded,
smiling
"in the name OF my sex. accept the
Inference