The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1897-09-16

he been by the condition of his mothers |
health and affairs as confided in Esther's |
letters (sent under cover to an old fani-
ily friend nov serving as a surgeon in
the Juarez army) that, having earned
little money in Vera Cruz, he fastened
back and appeared there late at even
ing, worn and weary, before those low
ing yet terrified eyes. He had ridden
miles on horseback that day, as he
feared recognition by officers or soldiers
still at Quitman ii he came by rail that
way, or by federal deputies il he came
the other. Esther alone had received
him on his arrival, for she, poor girl,
was watching at the old arbor near
the south fence for the coming of her
lover-husband, that day released from
the clutches of the law. Then, after
hearing her recital OF their needs and
sorrows, he had sent old Rasmus with
message into camp, while she had
gone to prepare her mother for his
coming.
Late that night, Mrs. Walton, kneel-
ing by the bedside of her sleeping boy,
became suddenly aware of a scufile go
! ing on underneath the window, and,
noiselessly descending the stairs, un-
fastened the side door and came at once
upon the intruders, with the result al
ready known, Not until aroused by
the screams of Elinor and his sister
Kate did Floyd know anything of the
affair. Half asleep, and bewildered, he
had jumped into boots and trousers
and rushed TO the rescue. One glance
explained the whole thing. but it was
Esther who in desperation seized and
held him back when he would have
sprung to release his mother from
Riggs drunken grasp-Esther who,
hearing the coming rush of Lambert's
footsteps, realized that what meant in
stant rescue for her mother meant
equally instant peril for him-Esther
who actually ordered his hurried re-
treat at Lambert's appearance. Not
until the following day did it occur
to her mother to ask how it was or
why il was she was up and dressed at
that hour of the night. At any other
time, perhaps, she would have found it
far more difficult to frame plausible
excuse, but almsst anything would an
swer now. For hours she had been
listening for the tap upon her window
that should tell her Walton had not
been spirited away to a Aace of safety
until he had come to bless and COM
fort her with his love-words and ca
resses. To her, at least, despite the
wild oats of his earlier days. her cousin
husband was all that was true and
tender and fond. For him she had
, | l. I.
sisters indignation, and Floyd alone
was her supporter in the secret mar
riage that took place during her brief
visit to the Claytons in the early spring
With the dawn of Sunday. his sig
nal at last was heard. and she stole out
to meet him-to tell of Floyd's return,
and to plan with him for their joint
escape, for Floyd had told her that it
would be folly to attempt to remain
in hiding there. Already certain ne
groes of the neighborhood had seen
him, and it could rot be long before the
military authorities were informed
Walton was all helpfulness and sym
pathy. His brother, the conductor, had
planned to send his horse to the Wal
ton barn at ten that night, and wal"
was to ride cross country to friends S
in Barksdale county, leave the horse
there. and be at the point where the rail
way crossed the country road at 1880,
when the "Owl" would stop and take
him on the baggage car-unless some
of Parmelee's spies or deputies were
aboard. There would be no trouble at
the capital, where the Owl often waited
an hour for the express. The engi-
neer would slow up just east of town
S Walton would drop off in the darkness
a and make his way around to the west
! by brisk tramp of a couple of miles,
, and there be taken on again about /: &c
s a. IN. and jostled away to the river. Once
:, there, all the sheriff's posses in the
!, south couldn't find him. Walton
!. promptly urged that Floyd go with him
4 Rasmus was routed out from slumbei
d in the barn and sent away with mes
$ sages to Col. Scroggs and Cousin Bart,
d and then the voice of Kate was heard
T calling for her sister. Instead of be
. ing asleep, Mrs. Walton was painfully
V awake and planning a diplomatic let
!, ter to be sent to Capt. Close. For hours
: the only refuge they could offer Esther's
: husband was the cellar, for Mrs. Walton
: had insisted on being up and dressed
r to meet Cousin Bart, whom now she
n desired to send for and consult.
The letter which had so bewildcred
: the company commander was briei
enough. 1t bore neither date noI
5 place, but went straight to business
Mrs. Walton presents her coinpli
: ments to the officer in command of the
t. federal troops here IN camp and begs tC
: say that she finds upon investigation
c that the two soldiers who visited hei
n premises last night did so at the re
Il quest of member of her household
' who sought their aid in bringing Ger
tain supplies from town when hel
u servants proved too ungrateful to bC
a relied upon. Mrs. Walton deeply re
u grets that the soldiers referred to are
> now in danger of further punishment
y and, while utterly disapproving the
} action which led to their employmcn
, in violation of her express orders, sht
= nevertheless accepts the entire respon
u sibility and begs that no further step
u may be taken against them, as she vii
y not only positively refuse TO appear al
x.,ifracc In, tho ense hnt will nroh / hi