Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1908-03-12
CHAPTER v.

OallP 6o &hAoA NG] |
namely, herself, Ray, and Chip, who
did not share Martins suspicion OF
danger. A firm belief that a wonan's
aid in such a complication was OF no
value, coupled with a desire to save
her anxiety, had kept his lips closed
as to the situation.
Life here at all hours soon settled
itself into a certain daily routine OF
work, amusement, and, on Chips part,
of study. True to her philanthropic
sense of duty toward this waif, Angie
had at once set about her m~uch-needed
education. A reading and spelling
book suitable for a child of eight had
been secured at the settlement, and
now lessons occupied a few hours
of each day.
1t was only a beginning, of course,
and yet with constant reminders as to
pronunciation, this was all that Angie
could do. The idioms of Tins Place,
with all it's profanity, still adhered to
Chips speech. This latter, especially,
would now and then crop out in spite
of all admonitions; and so Angie oun
that her pupil made slow progress.
There was also another reason for
this. Chip was afraid of her, and oft
reproved for her lapses in speech,
soon ceased all unnecessary talk when
with Angie.
But with Ray it was different. He
was near her own age, the companion
ship of youth was theirs, and with him
Chips speech was ready enough. This.
of course, answered all the purposes
of benefit by assimilation, and so
Angie was we'll satisfied that they
should be together. Beyond that she
had no thought that love might accrue
from this association.
Chip, while fair of face and form,
and at a sentimental age, was Sc
crude of speech, SO grossly ignorant
and so allied to the ways and tanners
of Tins Place, that, according tc
Angles reasoning, Rays feelings were
safe enough. He was well bred and
refined, a happy, natural boy now
verging upon manhood. In Greenvale
he had never shown much interest II
girls society, and while he nov
showed a playmate enjoyment O
Chips company, that was all that wa!
likely to happen.
But the winged god wots not o
speech or A youth of Il
and a maid Of 16 are the same tn
world over, and 30 out Of sight 0
Angie, and unsupported by her, tn
by-play Of h~eartinterest went on.
And what a glorious golden sum
mer opportunity these two had!
Back of the camp and tending north
west to southeast was a low ridge Q
o%utcropping slate, bare in spots
hog-back, in wilderness phrase. Be
yond this lay a mile-long "blow-doWn,
where a tornado had levelled the ia
timber. A fire, sweeping this vine
dry, left the criss-cross confusion {
charred logs, BURBERRY bushes ma
followed fast, and now those lusciou
berries were ripening in limitless pr
fusion. Every fair day Ray and Chi
came here to pick, to eat, to hear tn
birds sing, to gather flowers and
happy.
They watched the rippled lake wit
now and then a deer upon its shore
from this ridge; they climbed up (
down it, hand IN hand; they fished
the lake or canoed about it, time an
again; and many a summer evenin
when the moon served, Chip handle
the paddle, while Ray picked h
banjo and sang his darby songs Q
around this placid sheet of water.
And what a wondrous charm tn
coordination Of moonlight on the lal
and love songs softened and mat
tender by the still water held #
Chip! AS those melodies had dol
on that first evening beside the cam
fire, Sc now they filled her soul with
strange, newborn, and wonderf
sense Of joy and gladness.
The black forest enclosing the
now was sombre and silent. Spit
still I1rked in Its depths and doul
less were watching; but a protect
was near, his arm was strong; ba
at the landing were kind friends, al
the undulating path Of silvered ligl
the round. smiling orb above, t
twinkling stars, and this matchle
music became a new wonder-world
her.
Her eyes glistened and grew tend
with pathos. She had no more Id
than a child why she was hap
Each day sped by on wings OF VIII
each hour, with her one best co
panion, the most joyful, and 3d. d
by day. Door Chip learned the $
lesson Of loving