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

CHAPTER lllt
A thick INST hung over the island
when, at sunrise next day, the boat with
It's little band OF voyagers set out on the
journey down the Ohio
There were none TO modest them. the
soldiers yet asleep after the drunken
carouse OF the night previous. The is
land In it's dressing gown OF fog through
which the rising sun blinked stupidity,
vas but a dark blur between the lighter
gray Of river and sky. They seemed
a ghostly crew setting out from the land
Of shadows, as silently they moved with
the noiseless stream A bleak wind
blew on shore. bringing frosty promises
of earnest winter.
4 wo women, pale and somber-eyed,
leaned against the railing aft, watch
ing the island recede and fade until II
seemed mirage caught In the long
shafts OF growing, purple light. With
every leap OF the narrow craft they were
being borne away to n new life
But In Mrs. Blennerhassets mind re-
greet had little place. A ruined home-a
present helplessness, were light evils
dauntless and hope that would not see
defeat. She gazed with wide, fearless
eyes at the blot IN the fog, which she
had once called home. Then resoiutely
turned her gaze westward.
Come. look ahead. dear" she said 90
Mrs. Creighton. Let us 60 into the
cabin and make merry with the rest.
Think only OF the future; we are begin
ming again"
Mrs. Creighton tried to smile In an
swer. Il will join you in a moment,
she said.
But left alone, the smile died from
her lips, the color from her eyes. For
10 this woman-no longer young. "a
whom worldly ambition seemed a will
o'-the-wisp, beginning again was a
task not worth while. Before her men.
tai vision swept swift phantasma
goria in which past present and future
were strangely mingled.
She saw the home they had lately left
that spot OF all TO her most sacred the
home Of others. on the hearth burned
strangers fire; the old paths were
trodden by other feet; her flowers were
spoil for other hands.
And then fancy tried TO picture the
home awaiting her-that new home IN
the far west which her husband and son
had gone TO prepare, that beyond the
great river they might begin life again
But between these two-the dear home
she had left and the one In store there
were wild forests, yet wilder men, ant
that great mysterious barrier, the Mis-
sissippi.
But II was not In her nature to rebe
at the Inevitable.
Too wise in experience for high expec
tations. and too phlosophic for despair
she had also fine optimism, faith II
the future. And Il was easier TO leave
now. that the old home was no Longer
theirs. The claim to the grant OF Ian,
I'm the old Dominion was declared IN
valid. their title contested. Gradually
their savings had been swept away. un
Ill. after the havoc OF legal battle, nc
property remained. Ruined, broken II
spirit. Mr.. Creighton had gone TO the new
country--to that far western territory
that land where, so swift had been thu
change OF masters, there yet waved The
flags OF Spain. OF France and OF the new
J republic. There. IL fortune awaited, h
could spend n few years. al last to 20
back, his head high, a prosperous dwell
or in the old haunts. n not-then LEI
the wilderness swallow up his failure.
His wife. and daughter too had lief
Virginia, but had intended remaining
on Blennerhasset island until spring
But now their friends were involved II
deep undertaking; one. indeed, whicl
as Il unraveled. was proving perilous
perhaps disastrous.
This protection denied them, thel
must. nevertheless. continue the Jour
ney; but how, and under what guild
ance? They had little money and NJ
influence. So far they were safe witt
Mrs. Blenncrhasset and her party. bu
soon their paths dlverged. and then
Layenders voice recalled her.