Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-12-13
sorily. ea,oIins others. until few =.

manned.
Among the last was q man past
middle. life, with a face 80 marked
by drink and evil passions that there
wal little reminder of features that
had once been handsome. The mis-
shapen body was too small for the
head, which barely reached above the
level Of the table. Before him stood
q glass of spirits which he drained
noisily. The landlord removed tie
empty glass, ignoring his demand to
Fill 'er up again"
Time all honest folks were abcd,
Jabez," he urged. Its after mid
night"
The mans companions shufied out,
but he remained obstinately. Here
sit; go on to bed, eff We want to; I'm
waitin' fer comp'ny home" and de
gave a hoarse, sardonic laugh.
While yet her 6naster argued with
him, the woman's quick ear caught the
sound of footsteps on the ground out
side. She stole to the door, closing
it quietly.
There, in the dense shadow, straight
and slim as the sapling against which
she leaned, stood a girl, who neither
moved nor spoke until the others muf-
fled. call: Miss Miller, is that your"
At this she came nearer the light,
but the octoroon laid finger on her
lip. Hush, your father is there" and
she pointed to the tavern. "He
knows you expect to meet Mr.. Gerald
tonight, and they had some words,
| but"
Was anybody hurt?" breathed the
girl, In a frightened whisper.
But the dark woman treasured
her. Il. took it upon myself to per-
suade him to go home" she said, hum
bly,. Il knew you would not want him
to risk any more trouble"
Unheeding the girls d~eprecatory In
terruption, the octoroon continued:
He left word for you to meet him the
night Of the sixth. There is to b. al
dance in Rogers barn, and Mr.. Gerald
will come here afterwards. Be at the
pollard willow at the curve in the road
about midnight. / hate to give a mes
sage telling you to come out lat that
time Of night, but he seemed set on it.
Excuse me, Miss Sue, but / wish for
the day when you and he can meet
before the village in the open light"
The young girl WINGED. Eyes, Belle
in quality fashion-we may some
day. In the meantime" she ended in
a passionate whisper that was half a
sob, Il must see him, and this way is
better than none"
The octoroon gave a hurried glance
toward the tavern. "You had better
run on home now, Miss Sue; your ia
Their might come out any minute. Are
you afraid?"
From behind the horizon the moon
threw sickly beams over the tree tops.
It lit up the wan faces of the two
women-the girls tender and soft, with
q pleading plettiness, the other sad
and dark, with earnest eyes full of
loyal affection. She repeated: Can
you go back alone?"
Sue Miller brushed the straying locks
from her forehead with a defiant nod.
The small, checked shawl that had
half slipped from her shoulders she
knotted loosely about her head. "Ill
as Gerald tells me to, without
fail; after the fris,<, at the willow by
the turning yonder.' Yes, I'll remem-
ber," and with a parting good night
she sped. down the read that led away
from the settlement, to the. gloomy
cabin on the edge of the common field.
Within the tavern the argument pro-
"They call me 'B%ranch-water
man. do they? And my gal Branch
Sue? Well, let 'em call us what
hey please, and be damned. Eff / don't
want ter dig a we'll, amt that my BUSH
ness? Eff branch waters good enough
Ter me to drink, faint them as has
,er drink it. Shif'less, am /? Well,
It's me My gal earns a livin' fer us
does she? Well, it's her. / ask
laught o. their cursed set but to he
ct alone. I'll show 'em that a branch {
man is smart enough ter look I
lrter his kin, spite of any upstart, with |
lis dainty airs!"
In this strain he muttereds half to {
half aloud, until the fan of
words cooled his rage. In silence he
watched the woman as she went quietly I
bout putting the place in order, while 6
he landlord adjusted the bars at The
windows. BY and by, his suspicious
ulled, he, too, snutled into the dark
less.
The moon had utterly withdrawn her :
lght; the trees lowered black against /.
purple sky. :
Once in the road, Jabez Miller skunk :
lily from right to left, psering into :.
he shadows at every turn. Satisfied :
t last that his daughter was nowhere =
bout, he followed the path She had :.
AIKEN a short while before. :
The branch-water cabin was some J.
istance away from the center OF. the 7
Unsightly and ~forlorn, Its !,
rown and dingy logs were scarce dis :
nguishable in the dark. Thick tam Y
racks clustered about, their spiay J,
ranches churlishly outstretched as II !
J obscure all light and air. Under Y
n Of these the man paused. =
lifting his crooked body on tiptoe, he 2
lrefully examined the trunk whercon y
70 cuts with the tomahawk were :.
.ainly marked. Two or three others Y
ear bore the same sign.
Mine, mine; this land is mine" he n
uttered, then walked to where were d
Of earth newly turned. These q
} covered with brush and leaves, all p
while %chuckling and talking under "
$ breath. When no sign remained &c