The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-08-17
She turned to him with a rueful


smile. "You give me credit for deeper
feelings than l possess. I am both SO
shallow and SO optimistic that / al.
ways think the new is to be as good
as the old. For that reason am, per-
haps, easily reconciled to change. Be-
sides l will have both-the old and
the new"
"But the old will be only memory
"a legacy"
"Well," she admitted, ARE not men,
cries sweet? Do we not enjoy lega-
cies?"
But they presuppose loss"
She frowned and shook her head in
playful remonstrance. "You are maxi
ing me gloomy; let us go below"
A little later, they joined the others
in the cabin.
Here, about the fire was gathered
the group of travellers, and Winslow
and Lavender paused in the doorway
to watch them.
The light and shadow played strange
pranks with all. 1t brought into gro
tesque relief suit of nankeen here. a
buff waistcoat Thereon singled out for
an especial CLEAN saucy cap or scar
let kerchief. In spite of past Difficult
ties and a future that threatened more,
their spirits were strong, their hearts
light and undismayed. At first there
had been exciting talk and speculation,
but gradually silence fell, and some
body started song.
Mrs. Creighton slipped to the spinet
and softly played the air, while the
rest Joined in the refrain:
Are we almost there-are we almost
there?"
Said a dying girl as she drew near home,
"Are those our poplar trees that rear
Their forms so high meath the Heavens
blue dome?'
The slow, sad words rolled in sonor-
a solemn hush fell upon all. At this
moment America filled the threatening
gap, and turned the tide of sadness
which seemed setting in. Back in the
shadow she rocked to and fro, aIi
with the squeak of her chair the only
accompaniment, she sang the old camp
meeting hymn, in a voice loud, but
tuneful:
"Wrastle, Jacob, daylight's a-breakin'.
Oh, wrastle, Jacob. will not let thee 60"
CHAPTER w.
Toward the close of raw day in
January there was stir on board
the Cumberland was in sight! Gray
and green, the water of the two rivers
blended in a muddy torrent. At the
last bend in the Ohio they came in
sight of the flotilla Moored on the
bank were the boats, and moving about
the shore the pilgrim voyagers. There
was a flutter of handkerchiefs, and a
halloo of welcome as the newcomer
glided to landing-place, and the tired
travellers stepped to shore.
Mrs. Blennerhasset's eyes sought but
one face in the crowd. Her husband
sat on fallen tree in the background.
His companion, with whom he was in
earnest conversation, was small, 1.-the
man, below the medium height, under
whose high, pointed forehead dark eyes
flashed with mesmeric power. These,
and the dilated nostrils, were the only
signs of excitement. His voice was
very low, his manner quiet, with move
ments restrained, except that he con-
stantly poked one long forefnger in mis-
listeners face. All the vehemence OF
a strong soul seemed condensed in that
gesture.
A man approached and, bowling, said:
"Col. Burr, our party from the east
has come, and word has it that Mrs.
Blennerhasset is with them"
Harmon Blennerhasset rose with a
startled exclamation: MY wife-here?
But that is not our boat!" And ne
rushed to the landing, where his wife
with her little sons and the others were
Welcome, Mavourneen! And you,
Mrs. Creighton? And Lavender? VIII
wonders never cease?"
In the midst of the hurried explana-
ton which followed, Col. Burr APP
preached. He greeted the ladies with |
a soft cordially rather fitted to me |
drawing room than this river bank,
where every lingering ray of sun
served but to illumine the embracing |
waters, leaving the snow-pied bluffs On
either side in dusky gloom.
The leader invited the newly arrived
voyagers to supper on his boat, and
the time passed delightfully."-; enlivened !
by the seductive charm of his manner
and conversation. Winslow, too, was
a brilliant talker when the spirit
moved, and they, with the two elder
women, flashed wit and wisdom to
which the others listened with an adj
miring attention which was good
fashion of the time.
Later, however, a current of sadness
lay underneath the gayety, and Laven-
der slipped out, and up to the deck |
alone.
The moon, low-hung and wan, like a
dim torch lighted wandering wrack
of clouds. The quiet beauty of the |
night, and the lullaby of waves rocking
the anchored boat, soothed herds
PEELED her forebodings of the uncertain |
n,orrou