Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-05-12

1t natural and inherent? He had
a~voidances, abhorrences, antipathies,
as the skeletons in the coppiee which
she had buried. Was that avoidance
fear or was it something else? Was
it instinct or did 1t arise from recol
lection? She rather fancied the last.
If so, it was evident that the man had
been on the island a long time. 1t
would have taken years for the metal
that must have been about that
woman's person to rust away, for the
steel clasps of the dogs collar entire
ly to disappear.
Upon that faint memory that he
cherished, upon that prayer that he
prayed, she could build the foundation
of his education. She had been so sue
| cessful in training him and in restrain
ing him, in influencing him and sway
ing him SO far that she had abundant
confidence in her ability to do so to
the end. 1t was quite evident that life
would be easily supported under tae
conditions in which it must be lived
on that island. She need have no
physical concern as to her material
we'll being or comfort, and here was
mental education and stimulus which
made her for the time being forget
the rest Of the world.
Indeed, she thought bitterly, as she
lay awake during the long watches OF
the night, that the rest Of the world
was nothing to her and that she hated
it. She, therefore, not only was be-
coming resigned to her situation, but
was rejoicing in it. She would teach
this man all she knew. She would
teach him to think, to reflect, to rea-
son. She would teach him to talk.
Since she had a book, albeit a sorry
one, she would teach him to read.
The rain fell more softly now. Her
eyes dropped.
She slept again only to wake and
muse once more. She could have
slept better had he been outside. How
could he lie there in the complete and
sleeping in~sensibility Of slumber? Her
hand fell against her breast. There
was the treasure trove of her exist
ence the day before. What would they
tell her? She could scarcely wait un-
Z til morning to look. So she woke and
slept and woke and slept until the
day broke.
> 1t was bright and sunshiny out, al.
though there were ominous clouds all
> about the western horizon. 1t was
0 probable that the rainy season was at
9 hand, if not upon them. She re-
v GREETED that she had not given more
. time to the study Of nature, to the
fauna and flora Of the South seas, to
the conditions of wind and weather
a under which life was lived there. Much
philosophy would she gladly have
b parted with for such practical infor-
nation. She had to piece her ideas
g of affairs out from scraps and tags OF
knowledge, unclassi1ed, incoherent;
from vague recollections Of childhood
a stories and romances; from carelessly
it scanned collections of voyages, books
o Of travel and adventure. The result
was unsatisfactory. In some particu
If lars the instructive man before hel
It was her master. At the things which
went to make up physical comfort and
& we'll being in a state of absolute ma
ture he certainly surpassed her.
n She was thankful when she walked
ID abroad that she had the shelter of the
1t cave, for everything was drenchet
from the terrific downpour. If 1t wa
Is the beginning of the wet season sh'
a knew that the rains would soo com
lg again. Still she luxuriated in wha
le freedom she had. Without removing
le her single garment she plunged int
re the lagoon for a refreshing bath. Thu
p man followed her and wan about he
le moving slowly, with less skill thai
I'd she, but as easily as a porpois
le plunges about the bow of a progress
ing ship.
In Refreshed, she came back to tn
On mouth Of the cave and brought theme
es for a careful inspection all he
CHI worldly possessions, save the littl
Ia heap of clothing which she had care
1T fully piled upon the jutting shelf
a the shadow of the cave for time {
at need. She ranged them on the sand
,ly before her. There was the Bible an
ra- the little silver box which she ha
of found in the cave. She examine
In more critically its contents, wonderin
he what they might be, and finally ther
10 came into her mind recognition ths
lis they were flint and steel. When sh
1t wished, she could make a fire. Sh
sal was happy for the moment in til
,al knowledge and then the uselessness
he the power came across her c~uriousl
ny What did she want of fire? There wa
I'm nothing to cook. Its warmth was u
lch necessary. Still she was glad to hay
lat the ancient flame kindlers and 81
in laid them aside carefully In the BIO
nd not knowing when they might be us
icy full. under what circumstances inval
able. At least she might regard the
ZEN as apparatus which would be helpf
ms in the curriculum through which 81
ed, meant her savage pupil should pass.
The Then there was her watch whit
nat she guarded as the apple Of her ey
led It was an American watch Of the vel
Of best make, and although It had gol
the with her through the waters such w
She the workmanship Of the case that
ace had taken no harm. 1t was tickil
, a away bravely, marking time. 81
thought that for her time had stoppe
on and yet she was glad, indeed, for Il
ON almost human sound 1t made when s.
18th laid it lovingly against her cheek.
her There were the hairpins, also, I