Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1909-04-29
CHAPTER discontinued

~ S PNANy N
CHAPTER x.-Continued
After a moments indecision l crept
across the room and looked out from
behind the drawn curtain. There was
nothing in sight. In the clear moon
light I could see quite as distinctly
az by day, and the white stiffness was
wonderfully comforting. 1t was rather
'awesome, too, and while | felt the fas-
cination Of the night l was also CON
scious of the rather creepy sensation
one experiences when the world sleeps,
leaving one wakeful and alone with
nature.
Out before me stretched the path
leading to the village and my eyes
followed it unconsciously until it
turned sharply and disappeared. AS
I looked two shadows fell across it,
seeming very black against the sur
rounding Wilderness. One was short,
fat, and s%hapeless; the other long,
thin, and somewhat like an elongated
pair of tongs-a very specter of a
shadow. They moved, merged them
selves into an indiscriminate mass,
separated and came together again, a
black streak marking their progress
around the corner.
| chung to the window frame. de-
irving some comfort from contact with
the solid wood. A pricking sensation
a up and down my spine and l was
incapable of moving or uttering a
sound.
In a second | was glad I had not
spoken, for the shadows again de-
tached themselves. I heard the
-crunching of gravel, and a familiar
figure appeared around the turn of the
path. 1t was Mary Anne, a red shawl
held over her head, and no words can
express the relief and comfort at see-
ing her ample figure prosaically pro-
aceeding toward the kitchen door. l
was rather indignant, too, and went
down to ask her what she meant by
such nocturnal rambles.
1 found her collapsed upon a kitchen
chair, breathing heavily. Upon see-
ing my white-clad form close beside
her she uttered a stifed scream, then
immediately stole my thunder by re.
preaching me for proving around the
house in the dead Of night and fright
sening people out of their wits.
In fact, she became so eloquent that
instead Of the dignifed rebuke l had
intended to administer I found myself
sapologizing for my presence and prom.
Using to be more ~considerate In the
future.
But; Mary Anne" l ventured to re-
mark, where have 0 been? I was
frightened to DEATH"
Mary Anne at once became pro.
pitiatory and sympathetic.
pore child" she exclaimed, "of
course you was upset! 1t was Miss
Elizabeth's ring-I got to thinkin'
about the best way to find 1t. So
went to my brother Dan, i'm as lives
In the little 'ouse jest below the bluff
(which you know is gospel truth,
miss. And I begged i'm to take is
boat and go round them rocks early,
and see what q could find. Fur
4 wanted to give it to 'er fust thing
when she wakes"
Mary Anne paused for breath and l
felt a thrill of conjunction, for, after
all, she had been out on our account
and solely to do us a service.
"And that was your brother with
you, l suppose I remarked. Does
ihe think he can find the ring?"
She looked at me a moment without
replying, then walked to thW door and
sbolted 1t.
Yes, miss she said; dan as
'opes. Not that they're very Ugh
'opes, fur Dan amt much at lookin' at
the bright side. But ell do lis dooty,
miss, and | think Miss Elizabeth may
find her ring, though Of course | can't
be sure-no more can Dan. Now you'd
better 60 to bed, Miss Elise. fur you
need your sleep and I need mine.'
I was very willing to follow this
advice, and felt hopeful that morning
would bring good news to Elizabeth.
Tor Mary Anne's brother had inspired
me with a feeling Of confidence Cor
don Bepnett's diver had not produced.
AS I lay thinking dreamily of him
and wondering whether he would get
his boat out early and go to work a
recollection Of his appearance
oyerpowered me.
We we're all familiar with Mary
Anne's brother. He was a short,
s~toclily built man. with very broad
shoulders and short bowed legs. II
seemed improbable that he could cast
q shadow like q pair Of tongs, but
ther al every one knows shadows are
not to be depended upon.