Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-12-13

plfed evaafvely: I did nDts -
not him since you forbade him IL
house."
This seemed to satisfy her father
for he let go Of her shoulders, which
he had held in a rough grip, aad turned
to the seat In the chimney-side, where
he lit a pipe.
Susan watched him. every nerve
a-qutver, every expression revealing
the strife between flial affection and
the Unborn refinement upon which his
conduct and appearance grated. To
act the daughters part, and yet keep
disgust and fear within bounds, bid
even from her own heart, was a pitt
full effort.
She said goodnight and was going
off to bed, when he stopped her. THAT
feller's got wind o. my find, and that's
why he wants YER"
Susan returned to his side. Indeed,
you are mistaken, father. When you
discovered the coal, didn't l promise to
keep 1t secret? And | have. Honest
truth l have!"
Her fathers small ayes contracted
in q cruel leer. Eye hev, hev We?
Then why does he gallivant after ye?
There amt no reason fer sech a high
and mighty chap hangin' round, unless
he knows my land is rich, and is willin'
ter marry ye to git a-hold Of it."
Che ~chIrddorad Of fbic rrI hos Foon
grew white as he added with a look of
evil insinuation: "Or maybe he hain't
no thought O. marryin' We at all?"
Choking an indignant sob, his daugh-
ter said: "He does mean to some day,
father, but he must first help his own
family to make their home. AS l
promised you, I have let him think ne
poor Is he Is, and SO we must wait
until"
But her father interrupted with sud
den suspicion: "Mebbe he saw where
he'd been diggin' the we'll? He noses
around a good deal, like all the rest
O. the meddlesome set, worryin' on ac-
count O. our drinkin' the branch water.
Calls me lazy fer not diggin' a well.
So, to please 'em, | dug one, and what
did | find? Coal! Coal everywhere!
I'll be rich, rich, and all from takin'
their advice, bless EN-" The light Of
the miser shone in his eyes, and he
laughed low with triumphant derision.
why don't you want 1t known, IA
th0r9p thn Ofr1 e nIao1ad kfNNh0l-y
would cheat you out Of it; the land Is
ours" ~
"fOurs?' yes, but who kin prove 1t?
These tomahawk rights are damned
onsartin things, and some O. the big
bugs in the village might take a no.
tion to some o. that there coal. Then,
how long would a few scratches in the
trees help me? No, sir"-and he
brought his fist down on the puncheon
stool with a defiant thwack-'Tll lay
low for the present, and after a few
months the claim will be mine sure
as shootin'. There are better ways
than tomahawk rights, and ye kin bet
Ill use EN-. Nobody knows Of the vein
but this smooth-jawed lover of yourn,
and / wish he was in HE'LL"
but, father, what makes you think
that Gerald-Mr. Creighton-suspec.s?
Why should he? And II he did,
wouldn't he talk to me about 1t? He
is always saying how sorry he is that
we haven't any prospects SO that-oh,
try to think I'm right"
She kne1t on the tiny rug at his feet.
HE is not mean; he has no %underhand-
ed object; he Is really true, and loves
Newell, just because it's me-" and
The fair face was suffused as at some
fond recollection.
But the branch-water man pushed
her roughly away. while hiss face, al
ready red with drink, changed to plr-
pie under the violence Of temper.
Just because it's you,'" he Knocked,
Just because it's a soft fool! Bur
know how to look after ye, eff ye can't
AXE care of yourself, and damn me, Of
don't do it. It's one Of two things
# he means to marry We, it's to cit
hat coal; eff he don't--well, eff he
lont"-his voice died away to a threat
ming whisper, Kissed between clenched
eeth.
Full of a vague alarm, Susan slipped
way to her OWE little curtained cor
Ter. while her father, nursing wrath
md greed and plotting revenge, altsr-
lately smoked and dozed the night
way.