Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-01-17
Lavender
CreightOn's
Lovers
By OLIVIA B. srRoHr1
lcepyrIsh.. Isss. " oIvI. ,. stEohul

APT XIX.

Although he was pale and thin, he
made great effort to get strong. For
he must soon agitate the school
project, and he must see Lavender. He
had received no message direct from
Aaron Burr, and, so slow was travel,
knew nothing of the trial or its prog
ress. He only knew that the gov
ernor general-to whom he was the
bearer of letters from Aaron Burr. was
on his way to denounce the man, his
partner, as Winslow believed, in the
transaction. Much of the mystery OF
that transaction might be cleared by
those letters-but there was no hurry,
and still he kept his own counsel.
Meantime word had been brought
him by boat to st. Louis from a friend
then established in New Madrid, The
letter ran:
my script is scant, and 1t behooves
me to make a living in these swilds.
l am going to teach the western rustics
how to trip the light fantastic in the
little frisks they hold in the barns.
Murray, too, is here-do you remem-
Der him? His ambition is equally high
soaring with mine; he is to teach the
fiddle Che dare not say the violin,
or he would have no pupils. AS for
yourself-go thou and do likewise.
Find some young ideas, and teach
them how to understanding, any
thing. We are all scattered for the
present; stranded-like snags along
the river. But it is not for long. Burr
will be acquitted; GOO bless him, and
then we will all go back in q blaze OF
glory"
And Winslow, too, took this hope
full view. Of course his leader, toe
wise, too brainy for trickery, must sue
coed in proving his innocence-proyins
that he was no traitor, no arch-plot'
ter against the nations peace. Fol
whatever light the lamp of history may
have thrown upon 1t, the accusation O.
Aaron Burr seemed to Winslow as
willful bit Of party Islander. wreckint
the hopes and destroying the prospects
of innocent men; a fabrication found
ed upon malice, and fostered by ig
norance and sycophancy.
And here, as in st. Louis, he had M
hesitation in freely speaking his mind
with small respect for authority. l
here, too, he met with no opposition
1t was mainly due to ignorance, not Q
the facts, merely, but of the partie
concerned.
One afternoon, at sunset, WinsloN
walked along one of the narrow by
paths which diverged from the mai
road. Elder blossoms waved thei
parasols of snow on either side, an
a multitude of wild roses trespasse
on the right of way. At the end
the view rose a pile of clouds, down
and purple, a royal couch for the SUI
Suddenly, in the hollow of a "a
fence, and from over the top of
screening tangle, Winslow espied a b
of blue cotton. Seen closer, this too
the form of a sunbonnet, and inspe
ton revealed a girls face beneatl
Perched on the highest rail, her hant
tightly clasping the bar, she made q
attractive spot in the landscape. b
"a nearer view marred the effect. HI
face was white with dismay, her jay
apart in fright. For in the grass
her feet, as If waiting her first NOV
ment to attack, was a snake-lon
mottled, ugly.
One blow of the stout cane Winslo
carried, and the thing, vengeful
death. writhed with impotent swing
Its ringed tail. There was a pause, a
the girl drew a long shudderil
breath.
.s"T'm ever SO much obliged vas
she said, but the grateful sigh lent di
nifty to the words.
Don't mention it, | beg" and VIII
low stood gravely regarding her fro
his own point of vantage.
She climbed from the rail, steppi
gingerly as If to avoid the yet quivt
ing snake.
Winslow extended his hand to he
her; she was about to take it, for
first time closely observing him. Tht
with a sharp cry, she backed aw
from him, and leaned upon the fen
staring at him with wide, brighten
eyes. mo, no." she murmured.
He smiled reassuringly. Does Il
bandage alarm you? 1t is nothing
a mere scratch"
To his amazement, she fell to 81
HN 49, ~ qcaa MH,,rsAJ IN AhnY, fr1f
hands.
Stepping close to her, he said, xii
qy: "You are unnerved by your rect
fright; | do not want to leave you
til you are quite calm; shall we w
on ~together?"
Still she did not answer, At q L
and loath to leave her, for night y
falling. Winslow. persisted: "Otl
snakes may come to the funeral
their fellow--it is low and damp he
come"
She seemed SO young and helpless
4imid child. He gently touched
shoulder. Come"
But she shook off his touch. a
raising her eyes, met his with a i
Of mingled fear and defiance. g
must not touch me-you must
speak to me. Go on, oh, please
on"
He made no reply, but his glance
cold inquiry travelled from her to
yet writhing snake, and back again.
the disdainful reproach of his man
she hastened to say: Eyes. l know
saved mel am not u~ngrateful,
oh, mol can't forget!D
Winslow was puzzled and not
little angry. Was the girl crazy?