Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1912-03-21

ginia as recalled 1t in those old days
Of peace and plenty, before civil strife
had sown the land with dead.
What possible excuse, then, had
for going there? In my own heart
knew l had none, or one SO poor and
selfish | scarcely burst whisper 1t even
to myself; yet | rode steadily on. I'M
by my own weakness. or drawn
lrresistibly by fate-whichever the
real cause | know not-l would at
least look upon those walls that had
once sheltered her, would learn II pos
II she was yet there. Then
well, in the bondage of my passion |
hoped for what might happen. al
every lover does.
1t must have been two o'clock; we
had baited our horses, | remember, an
hour previous; and the Sergeant had
enjoyed his MONDAY siesta beneath
the shade of a great bush bearing pur-
pie blossoms. The road we had been
travelling since early morning wound
in and out among great trees, and
crossed and recrossed the little stream
called the Cowskin until | almost
thought we had lost our way. We met
with no one In all the long days rid
ing, not ever a stray negro, and In
deed it was some hours since we had
passed a house of any kind. Leaving
the brook behind US we toiled slowly
up a long hill, and at the top Burgay,
riding beside me. pointed to the west
ward.
Cap" he said. thar is Their Minor
place"
The very sight Of it in the distance
was a thrill-a great white house
placed well back from the road and
almost hidden from sight by fine,
large trees an old-fashioned, big
roomed house 1t looked to be, built
after the colonial type, a wide veranda
upon three sides. with f1uted columns
to support the o~verhanging roof,
"Hain't no signs es fer es | kin see
Of any trouble havin' Cured thar"
Jed said slowly, his shrewd gray eyes
roaming over the peaceful scene,
Somebody ter hum tew, fer Their
chimley is a smokin'."
OF course, now. | vas there, the only
sensible thing for me to do would
have been to ride openly to the front
door, and thus learn all desired. But
what man who loves, who is continual
ly swayed by hopes and fears, by
strength and weakness, ever does the
sensible thing? ! had certainly In
tended doing so at the start, but now
my nerve failed me. She was the
wife OF another. l could not confess
| had ventured to come to her in love,
nor could ] look into those clear. hon
est, questioning eyes and lie.
Halt" | ordered. Sergeant"
II am here, Captain"
Take your men down into that hol-
low yonder, and remain there until |
return. Better post a sentry on the
hill here"
~ al w NSASt ONPSNAA
II shall not, probably, be absent
more than an hour, 80 don't permit the
men to stray"
Dot is it, Captain. will be nit
dem all over"
rode down alone into the thick
woods at the foot of the hill, and dis
mounting, tied my horse to a sapling.
Then on foot | struck across the
fields, my intention being to come in
by the way of the negro quarters at
the rear, In hope Of meeting some one
from whom | might inquire relative
to the great house and its inmates.
1t was a slight upward trend Of
land | had to traverse, and although
the house was a most slightly object
and stood upon the very summit Of the
elevation, yet so surrounded vas |
with trees, both fruit and ornamental
| was enabled to make but little Of 1t:
situation until l approached the out
buildings. | met with no one, no
could | perceive any negroes abou
the slave quarters. Yet the place dit
not bear the appearance Of desertion
There were horses in the stable. a ca
was curled up on n of the cabil
door steps, and smoke continued t.
pour in a dull yellow cloud from tn
kitchen chimney. Altogether Their
was much In the situation to puzzl
ever, and | no longer regretted that
had exercised some caution in my az
proach.
The orchard, with the remain OF
garden. lay between the house and tn
stable, protected by a low fence {
whitened pickets. So far as | coul
observe, 1t contained no occupant, an
| pushed open the gate and starte
down a narrow ~cinderpath which lie
between two rows of low bushes. 7
right of me was an extensive crap
arbor, completely covered with vine
the fresh green leaves forming a d
lightful contrast to the deep blue SIX
beyond. As | came opposite an ope,
, ing leading into this arbor | sudden
caught the fiutter of drapery an
stopped Instantly, my heart throbbir
like a frightened girls. 1t was qui'
: dark beneath the vine shadow, and
could make out no more than that
woman stood there, her back towal
| me, busted at some task. Possib
4 she felt my presence. for all at on
t she glanced around, and upon pc
9 ceiving me gave vent to a quick e
8 clamation Of terror.
\ Pardon me-" | said hastily, and
r moving my hat. but you have nothil
8 to fear"
t There was a moments hesitancy
a her part, and | knew ! was being SCI
tinized by a pair OF bright eyes.
y surely said a familiar voice,
cannot be mistaken-you are Capita
Wayne"