Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-12-20
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OF stolen Jewels Win winch the river
dared deck her bosom only at night.
In the center OF the bay, and facing
the settlement, the island ose crowned
with cottonwood trees that shivered In
the night wind. In the distance. hills,
tall and sheer, formed a rampant to tho
north. Between bay and bluff lay
the town, its mud-wailed cottages show
ing white in the blackness. The village
was asleep and dark, except for the
lights which Winslow rightfully sup
posed indicated the tavern. And from
another building to the west came .
streak Of light and the sound of voices.
with now and then the faint echo Of q
violin.
Winslow's whole being was tensely
alive to these human sights and sounds.
For days of the tedious journey he had
heard, save for the rare speech of his
guide, only the cries of wild beasts. the
shrieks of waterfowl, or the sonorous
melody of the forest trees. His breath
came short-his heart throbbed queerly
at being again in touch with his kind.
Yonder lay the town which was to be
his home for many future days. Yon-
der, toe, his love awaited HMM sor-
row, perhaps, or trouble, but still there.
She might not be expecting him, for
of his coming he had sent no word
when he himself could out-journey a
messenger. He was SUR OF but one
| thing-he would see her tonight, and
he urged: ROW faster, Owatoga."
AS they neared the shore, voices from
within the tavern were plainly heard.
Owatoga anchored his boat, and, leav-
ing him to watch 1t, Winslow moved for.
ward alone. This stealth was distaste-
full, but the woman's note had enjoined
secrecy, and it was for Lavender's sake.
At thought Of her waiting for him, need
ing him, perhaps, his steps quickened.
Rapidly he climbed the sloping bank,
crushing the may-apples that, dying.
bequeathed to the air a boarded fra
GRANGE.
He gained the road at a few PAGES from
where rose q pollard willow tree, its
bare head whitened by the CLEAN OF
stars. At its base a figure stood, which,
gradually from out attendant shadows,
took the form Of a woman. At first she
gave no sign.
Winslow slowly advanced through the
avenue Of branches that stretched from
the shady covert on either side. Once
he paused to listen. A crackle OF
leaves, a step on the turf behind him
was Owatoga following? All was silent
again, and he pressed forward.
The woman bent expectant to meet
him, and put out a welcoming hand,
m%urmuring: Gerald, is it you? At
last!"
But Winslow stood still in surprise.
He could not see her face, but the voice
was not L~avender's.
Then from somewhere back of him
out Of the gloomy forest came another
sound; allow growlthat was only half-hu-
man in its rage and glee. Wfnslow's blood
curdled. Turning to see whence the
voice came, he met a pair of eyes glazing
in a ~grotesquely large head like a jack
o'-lantert light.
The figure threw itself upon him with
tigerish strength. There was a wom-
ans scream, and for few moments no
sound but the heavy breathing Of the
two men Rugged together in a death
grapple. Vain was Winslow's clumsy
| VITA a yofnct this It,pcnan FOO yuhnCn
hands in the darkness clutched his
throat. There was a flash of steel, but,
putting forth all his strength, Winslow
turned its course. The blade, swerving
from its fatal errand, lodged in his
shoulder, and he sank to the ground.
With a cry, the woman rushed forward,
but the slayer, brandishing the knife
over the PROSTATE Winslow, waved her
back. BE off! What dye want with
a carrion lover, anyway? Come to meet
the branch-water gal, did he? Wanted
that rich coal land, eh?" and he raised
the knife again.
But it was never lowered. At that
instant, from out the underbrush across
the road, whistled an arrow, and this
time the messenger of death did moi
fail. Without a groan the b%ranch-wa'
ter man sank to earth, already wei
with the blood of his intended victim.
Motionless, the girl stood, handi
clasped, eyes staring with horror, hel
lover dead, and by her fathers hand
That father killed, but by whom? In thu
dense shade she had not seen the ar
row fly from the bushes opposite
Whence came 1t, then-the sudden deatl
blow? A nameless fear, a supersti
tious dread possessed her. Hers, II
midnight forest, alone with the dead.
But love overcame fear, and an
dashed forward to where the bodies Ia!
black shadows on the blacker ground
Both faces were upturned, her IA
theirs distorted, passion-marred, tn,
other-she recoiled in terrified surprise
mixed with a CHASTITY relief--the othss
was not Gerald.
She threw herself on her fathers body
and shook the stiffening shoulders, try
ing. to rouse him. Father, oh, speal
to me, world" She kissed the star]
face, already wet with the damp tina
was not the dew Of night.
Then the other, the stranger, moanec
He was not dead. She must find hclp
Her fathers murderer, yet he must no
lie helpless, dying. With the speed q
an awful fear she ran back to the taverl
for help.
Then from out the shadow stole sp
other shape, grim and gaunt, with
tall buzzard's plume waving above tn
slipping brow. With a grftified grut