Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-11-15

Bent upon ambitious hopes, his fu-
ture late in carving, love was in
Winslow's mind an unwelcome guest;
an intruder whose visit was to be de-
ferred as long as possible. But there
we're signs of its coming; as Winslow
watched Lavender-observed her ten
der thoughtfulness toward her mother
her regard for the welfare of all.
He remembered the picture she made
when seated in the wood with the In
dams head on her lap. Bare-headed,
her hood the wounded mans pillow,
the dying sun tipping her hair with
arrow-points Of bronze, she had
! seemed a wrath of daylight in the
| gathering shades. This revelation of
the softer side of the girls nature,
of her ministrant care and dauntless-
ness in danger, touched him where
ballroom Establishments or mere
blithe maidenhood had failed.
She rode in advance, often turning
for a word or smile. Often there
were scarlet berries at her throat, or
leaves twisted in hooking imitation
of Owatoga's headdress.
Winslow's pleasure in the sight
his growing joy in her company, was
dampened by s~elf-reproach. Had all
his hopes, his ambition for a career in
the land of promise, come to this?
That he could find content and salts
flying happiness in the mere presence
of a woman?
At last they came in sight of the
Mississippi; dark, silent, the waters
rolled, a vast moat; beyond 1t, steer
and sheer, a wall Of rock. To the trav.
elers, ignorant of all that lay behind
that rocky wall might have been the
fortress of the setting sum-.
The spring was early, and ice drift
ed helplessly under its torn cerements
of snow. They were not far from tn,
settlement of New Madrid, and it wa
determined to follow the course o
. the river until the town was reached
Slowly northward, for the spring
, rains had begun, and the fens ant
marshes were Shiny underfoot, ant
foggy overhead.
The river, bearing its icy burden
away to the south. served them il
. guidance grim, but true.
At last they reached the point di
. rectly opposite New Madrid. TIL
squat stone cabins Of the settlement
were huddled together on the farthe
bank like great cakes Of ice throw.
. from the river.
The day was gloomy; the blusterin
wind, hag-ridden, hurled snow an
t rain in their faces with alternate spite
f "This Is not exactly a welcome
warm and heartfelt, is it," laughe
wlnslow, as they dismounted an
stood on the bank Of the gray river ur
der a scowling sky.
Out Of the dusk doomed a group {
wigwams, and Owatoga went forwar
to reconnoiter. He returned in con
pany with another Indian whom he ha
engaged to ferry them over. The
few household goods had been carrie
in crates, bound with deerskin to til
backs Of ponies, ano these were tram
ferred to one pirogue. Two others wei
reserved for the passengers.
They arranged for the sale of tt
ponies and hospitality for the nigh
but with the first dawn the party en-
barked on the river.
One Indian stood in the PROV, pusl
ing aside with a long pole the cakes
| ice which drifted like inquisitive mo
sters, close to the driving keel.
America covered in abject fear
the stern; alternately invoking IL
wrath of Heaven upon the rash unde
taking, and beseeching Divine aid
it's outcome.
The other women bore the discor
n fort and danger with fortitude, eve
v pleasure. In both was a strong sen
l. OF the dramatic, the picturesque.
Lavender, especially, this was as
v, draught of wine-this race with t.
10 swirling ice on the dark water in t
!! cold gray dawn. Here and there
h. vain star yet dallied for a last lo'
ot at herself in the watery mirror.
All was quiet in the village as tn
neared the shore, and the boats ru
20 bling their sides together in friend
v fashion as they grated on the sar
g. was the only sound.
There was no tavern then in t
town, but every cabin had a spare b
H. and seat at table where strangers we
allowed to stay. For 1t was scarce
a welcome which these frontier fc
"a extended-it was rather a Tolerant 81
~ferance. Such a return in money
~ trade as the guest saw fit to NAL
was accepted, but one was ever
ne manded. Their doors were open, a
j., with the opening of the door tn
.te considered duty done; the strang
could make shift to find his own no
IT. in the chimney corner.
'uI Such fare the travellers found, a
=. for Lavender the style held a quai
J., attractive interest.
u II like this kind of hospitality" 6
III said one day. 81 like their indeper
~ ent attitude. What they give is fir
ly given, and one feels that it is wi
'ul out effort"
~ Entirely So" Winslow agreed, d
a ly, "and | don't like 1t. Pot luo
as they call it, never appealed to I
l rather enjoy being made over"
he
on CHAPTER VIII.
dir Suddenly, as il to surprise the
he came the spring.
rid The winter carpet Of sodden lea
mas chanpad to one Of hriqht unr