Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-09-18
he been by the condition Of his mothers

ily trlenu now serving us y eufBeoh III
the Junrcz army that, having earned
little money In Vera Cruz, he fastened
back and appeared there late ut even
ing, worn and weary, before those low
ing yet terrified eyes. lie 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 II he came
the other. Esther alone had received
him on his arrival, for she, poor girl.
was watching ut 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 Rnsmus with
n 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 scufiie 60
ing on underneath the window, and,
noiselessly descending the stairs, I'M
fastened the side door and came ut 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 1t 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 Lnmbert's
footsteps, realized that what meant in
slant 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 II occur
to her mother to ask how II was or
why II was she was up and dressed ut
that hour OF the night. At any other
time, perhaps, she would have found 1t
far more difficult TO frame plausible
excuse, but almost anything would an
swcr 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 place of safety
until he had come TO bless and COM
fort her with his love-wortls and Gu
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
dared her mothers wrath, her younger
sisters Indignation, and Floyd alone
was her supporter in the secret mar
rage thut took place during her brief
visit 60 the Claytons in the early spring.
With the dawn of Sunday. his sig
nal mt 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 OF be long before the
military authorities were informed.
Walton was all hclpfulncss 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
in Barl;sdale county, leave the horse
there, and be at the point where the rail-
way crossed the country road ut 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 ut
the capital, where the Owl often waited
an hour for the express. The engi
nccr would slow up just east OF town.
Walton would drop Off in the darkness
and make his way around to the west
by brisk tramp of couple Of miles,
and there be taken on again about 30
n. m. 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
Rasmus was routed out from slumber
in the barn and sent away with mes
sages to Col. Scroggs and cousin Bart"
and then the voice Of Kate WINS heard,
calling for her sister. Instead of be-
ing asleep, Mrs. Walton was painfully
awake and planning u diplomatic let
ter TO he sent TO Capt. Close. For hours
the only refuge they could offer Esther'a
husband was the cellar, for Mrs. Walton
had insisted on being up and dressed
to meet Cousin Bart, whom now she
desired to send for and consult.
The letter which had so bewildcred
the company commander was brief
enough. 1t bore neither date nor
place, but went straight to business
Mrs. Walton presents her tonpli'
ments to the officer in command Of the
federal troops here in camp and begs to
say that she finds upon investigation
that the two soldiers who visited her
premises last night did SO ut the re-
quest Of q member OF her household
who sought their aid In bringing GER
tain supplies from town when her
servants proved too ungrateful to be
relied upon. Mrs. Walton deeply re-
grcts that the soldiers referred to are
now in danger of further punishment,
and, while utterly disappearing The
action which led to their employment
in violation Of her express orders, she
nevertheless accepts the entire respon'
sibility and begs that no further steps
may be taken against them. as she will
not only positively refuse to appear as
a witness in the case. but will prohibit
any Of her household from so appear
ing.
SUNDAY morning"
And possibly the lady Of Walton Hall
felt quite assured that her mandate
overrulcd any subpoena the federal
authonity could draft. One thing Is