Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-03-28

CreightOn'sl
| Lovers
By OLIVIA B. o
Copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. strohm,.

praise vi you, 100, as the ITdulLlOnal
Hero. He says you saved his life from
an Indian who lay in ambush. Alto
gether, sir, l see that you nave played,
not only an honorable, but a heroic
part"
Winslow laughed. "a sorry hero,
Mr.. Creighton; NO gentleman but
would gladly have been of service to
your sister, and as to saving the life
of Col. Boone-well, sir, anybody who
cannot hit an Indian at 20 PAGES is a
wretched shot"
But Gerald insisted: you are too
modest; it is we'll that your friends
know your value, even though-like
me, they are slow in learning it," he
added with a blush, continuing hast
lily: "On my sisters behalf l thank
you; on my own, I apologize"
9" can readily understand your
prejudice, Mr.. Creighton. was GER
tainly in a compromising position
your indignation toward me was, per-
haps, well founded; you knew me
slightly, you had no especial reason to
trust me. But, sir" and his voice
hardened, and his eyes flashed, ''for
the suspicion of your sister you will
pardon me if have small charity"
Gerald accepted the rebuke with
surprising meekness. II am ashamed
of it," he said, land have already
asked her forgiveness"
Then he added with a touch of
brotherly pride: "Lavvy is unlike the
rest of her sex, in that a nan can
humble himself to her without having
to grovel on his marrow bones"
Quick came the lovers added trib-
ute: Because she is ~generous-she is
gracious"
But, the fraternal enthusiasm al
ready spent, Gerald seemed not to
hear, but hurriedly began his thanks
to Winslow for the surprise given him
that morning in the offer of the posi-
ton as teacher.
you see," he said, blushing, while
we have every reason to suppose that
Susan's land will prove as rich as
yours, IL don't care to depend upon
that and he gave a manly shake of
his handsome head.
And then there was a pause while
Gerald nerved himself to speak still
further. Absently he tore the tiny
spikes of green from a sword fern.
When he had thrown the stem aside
an officer degraded-he said: "There
is another matter of which | have long
wished to speak; it is of my regret
that your trouble in the forest when
when Jabez Miller was killed, was all
brought about by a mistake for which
was primarily to blame. For I must
say in justice to the old man, that he
thought he was attacking me-"
To Gerald's establishment, Winslow
seemed in no way surprised, but asked,
coldly: But why does this justify the
old man-to imagine himself attack
ing your"
Gerald colored and bit his lip. at
does not, in fact. | am only making
allowance for drunken fancies. This
. explanation, sir" he added, CURLY, for
Winslow's attitude neetled him, lis
given only because 1 wish you to know
that l am very sorrow that you have
suffered on my account"
Then the reproach which had so long
lowered on Winslow's tongue found
utterance. "Of the physical suffering
Mr.. Creighton, | make small account;
1t is over, thank God, and the knife
found no deeper Judgment in my flesh
than yours would have afforded. No.
do not harbor that against you, but
there is another-a seal that will ever
abide with me a scar that is written
not on my shoulder which this camlet
hides-but On my forehead, forever
branding me in the eyes of the woman
love. 1t Is that-that deeper mark
I wear for your sake, which | find ii
hard to pardon"
All the pent-up Indignation of weeks
found vent in the words,
Gerald listened in open wonder, then
demanded promptly: you may as
well talk to the open air, sir, as expect
me to follow your railing. | am abso-
lutely guiltless Of any harm to you
other than the bodily injury for which
have a%pologized. Brandt Scar?
All, sir, I'm afraid you have been alb
sorbing some of the rhetoric Of the
day." he concluded, between a laugh
and a sheer.
Winslow fixed upon him for a mo-
ment a glance Of proud disgust. But
as Gerald's gaze met his own unflinch-
ing, the look gradually changed to in
c~redulity.
At last he said: "Then you do moi
know that they think-that she, your
sister, thinks that l killed that poor
old MANI"
"They certainly think so, and why
not? 1t seems no serious matter tc
anybody. An assassin springing at you
in the dark; why should you be
ashamed of having given blow fol
blown"
Winslow answered, speaking low
and scornfully: 81 am amazed, Mr.
Creighton, that you continue this farce
Let us have done with II. AS man tc
man why not acknowledge that yor
struck the blown"
Gerald retreated, deathly pale. Their
his lips, purple with rage, opened but
slightly as he stammered: "l-strucl
what blown"
Then, as the full force of Winslow's
suspicion dawned upon him, he stag
gered to a seat onfa fallen tree. "Yot
thought / killed Sues father? And she
thought so? Thinks so still? Coco
God.' And he covered his face with hi
hands.