Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-10-11

by an agile turn. Then, before the Eel
low could rally his sodden senses.
WinsIow knocked him down, and
snatched up his sword. Thus armed ne
faced his opponent. Sol" he COM
manded, Il, myself, will return this
sword to your superior officer. The
man who insults women is unfit to
wear It."
Paralyzed, less by fear than amaze
ment and chagrin at being worsted in
a bloodless encounter with one he
thought SO mean a foe, the soldier
skunk away muttering vengeance be-
lied by his hang-dog manner.
In the short silence that followed,
America continued her way to the
spring house, leaving her young pis-
tress and the stranger together.
She picked up his coat, and flecking
the dust from it, said:
II am very much obliged to you,
sir"
1.-THE pleasure is mine; I was forlu.
nate in being nere."
"The trial, then, is over?"
"As a farce it began; as a farce ii
ended. l can only regret the emba--
rassment it caused you."
She laughed %joyously. pray, sir, do
not consider it. We have had so much
to bear for the past two days thai a
trife more does not matter"
Her voice vas very near to tears.
Then, quickly recovering: "All this
time, Mr.. Winslow, l have the advan-
tage. You do not know my name; l am
Lavender Creighton
She extended her hand, adding: you
must forgive my not sooner summon
ing my aunt; she has but just returned
from Marietta"
"Then Mrs. Blennerhasset is your
aunt?"
Il call her so; 1t is, however, the
privilege of friendship only. We are old
and dear friends. My mother and
have been staying with her this winter
We are en- route to the west-to the
new territory, and were waiting fol-
good weather-for the spring-to con.
tinue the journey. 1t seems now" she
added, with a little catch of breath
that We are to go on regardless of the
season. The law waits no mans pleas.
ure-no, nor woman's, either"
Here America, returning, inter
rupted.
"'Scuse me, missy, but " all better
come ,G to de Kitchen" and they fol-
lowed her in silence. Then the cook
placed chairs for them around tie
stove while she hustled about getting
dinner, and this informal introduction
into the family affairs delighted the
guest, but Lavender apologized.
81 fear this is a poor sort Of hospital
ity, sir, but Americas domain is the
only private part of the house. the
soldiers bow to her will alone, and SC
give her a wide berth"
busting a floury chair for him, she
placed it before him with a little ex,
a~ggerated bow; then she left the room
to call Mrs. Blennerhasset.
A few moments later the mistress Of
the house entered. She was a woman
past the prime of life, but still at,
tractive, her face beautified by the
eyes, large, dark and full of purpose.
The stranger rose. my name is
Winslow," he said simply. "and l have
the honor to present credentials from
our distinguished leade-, Col. Burr"
The name was open Sesame TO thu
heart of his listener.
"You need no higher right OF entr,
to our hearth, sir. May l ask, then, il
you come to join the expedition"
II do, madam, and a dozen stou1
hearts bear me company"
He then briefly detailed the opposi
ton they had met with.
But the comic affair was soon over
and We are again free to proceed
There was no show of warrant for oul
detention"
."Can you imagine, sir, by what fea
son we are submitted to such out
rages?"
ut is, indeed, more than I a IN
derstand. Until our mock trial of to
day | had no knowledge Of any suspi
cion against the character of our III
dertaking, its chief, or those engaged
in it. AS peaceful citizens under the
flag we reached your island, intending
to join in the settlement of new lands
in the southwest. Call US pioneers
soldiers Of fortune-what you will, but
traitors-ah, it is too absurd"
Then, seriously, he added: 90
am in the dark as to the specific
charges. 1t appears, however, tina
Col. Burr and your husband are sus.
pected of a design to overthrow the ex-
listing government and set up another
in some vague part Of the south.
cannot account for all this farrago Of
nonsense ard bubbles, except on tn,
score Of political intrigue. And mes
Of us are helpless to fight that"
"Then you are not a politician? ?" thu
lady asked, smiling at the warmth o.
his lime
mo, madam, God save the mark!
am an emigrant-a homeseeker."
There was a lull; she looked about
the desecrated room.
Il deeply grieve, sir, that l have nc
hospitality to grant-no home. Mr.
Blennerhasset went away two nights
ago. He disliked the stealth, the Sc
crecy, but would not wait for the laws
delay. Next day the militia descended
upon us, and we have since been at the
mercy Of these lawless administrators
Of the law"
And what excuse do they offer fol
this ~outrage?"
They tell us that the president
proclamation has reached Wood coun.
ty, and they must carry out his orders