Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-11-22

but tuis tOIciBueI Wac uot W bc
lightly turned from his purpose. 81
quite envy you, SIR" he persisted,
'yau are not dependent for society
upon the rabble of the boat. Would 1t
be too much to ask an introduction to
your charmed circle?"
At that moment Lavender appeared
on deck. Seeing Winslow engaged
with a stranger. she would have
turned back, but Gonzaga spoke loud
in an affectation of civility: pray.
do not let me disturb you," and In
his manner was evident expectation
of the introduction, which Charles
grudgingly gave.
Lavender courtesied low. then. turn
ed to Winslow with a teasing smile:
81 hear you have been gambling" she
said, 'but in such a cause we won't
scold YOU"
Gonzaga interposed: Truly, the
woman seemed we'll worth the effort"
But the suspicion of evil In his
tone was too carefully yelled for Law
ender's understanding. "Indeed, she
u.s." was her simple comment. "Such
gratitude I have never seen. We are
all grateful, for humanity's sake"
Charles waived further discussion OF
the subject, and as soon as possible
found an excuse to take Lavender be.
low.
The Spaniard stood alone, pensive'
ly watching the smoke from his cigar
as 1t idly curled above his head, OF
with O sudden flaw was blown away
in whirling rings.
Struggling his shoulders, he said
half aloud: "a rose poisoning in thu
wilderness!"
His teeth showed in a sardonit
smile. Nor is this rose without it,
guardian thorn. Well, SO much thu
better worth plucking!" and he joined
the others in the cabin.
CHAPTER TX.
Thenceforward the little party wa
augmented by the unfailing presence
of the Spaniard, Gonzaga.
Yet the newcomer bore himself IL
such quiet, g~entlemanly fashion, a.
to disarm objections. He was neve
obtrusive, and contrived to make hi
society so agreeable that to none wa
he unwelcome. Even Winslow, VIII,
secretly deplored his coming, coul'
not but admire his tact, his graceful
fiowery conversation, his knowledg
of the world.
To Mrs. Creighton one day tn
stranger said: Il have no plans
madam, and when l hear you talk Q
your future home, and of all you mea,
to do there, l feel like a %wanderer,
good-for-naught. And in truth, l an
A long sojourn in New Orleans be
came fatiguing; I heard a great dea
of this wonderful new land which m
own country was foolish enough to lie
slip from its crown. One day q boa
started, thither bound. embarked
l am here, your servant"
And that was all he I'VE vouch
safed in explanation of his presence.
There were, however, two of til
party to whom this new acquaintanc
was most unwelcome. Though Amel
lea and the Indian guide kept ever |
the background, they were alert an
w%atchful; keen to observe the Sigh
est change in the situation.
In spite Of the antipathy of rae
and habit, there was a bond unitin
these two-a bond stronger than cree
or custom. Red skin and black COY
cred hearts that beat in unison to til
same refrain, love for those the
served. They would sit apart frol
the others, native a~ntagonism bridge
by this common interest.
The stranger they eyed with di
favor, with that instructive dislil
which needs no warrant. With Il
Indian this was suspicion-a habit
blood. With America, a conservati,
fear of change.
81 amt got no call to complain
she said to Owatoga, IAN dis yer Spai
mar may be all right. But we do.
need i'm. We done come so fur wi
out his com'ny, an reckon we k
go de res OBJ de way"
And Owatoga grunted assent, Il
what Of Americas words failed to ii
press his untutored ear, her gestur,
and manner conveyed.
But there was another on board fl
whom the Indian felt a far deep
aversion, and that was the capital
Finch. It was plain to Owatoga tn
ever since the gambling episode, tn
man had cherished for Winslow
secret grudge. Over his every NOV
: ment, therefore, he kept anxio
watch.
Quarters on the boat were 80 crow
ed that in sheer necessity Of rest a.
9 change, Mrs. Creighton and Lavend
spent much time On deck. Here gam
. were INDUCED In, principally match
for rifle practice, with the captain +
d leading performer. His aim was u
erring, and he was reckless in
It display. Many a luckless pig on sho
owed the loss Of his tail to this mar
u prowess. Once when Lavender We
IS tured q plying remonstrance,
d blurted: Don't you worry abo
them tails, miss. They kin be than
d ful I'm sech a good shot and leave z
the rest Of their ~carcasses."
The octoroon, too, had observed t
,n~alevolent glances with which t
J. captains eyes travelled from her
Winslow. There was no mistaki
their baleful glitter, and Winslow "
her savior from worse than death, t