The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-08-24
Lavender
CreightOn's
Lovers
By OLIVIA B. STROHM
- &...-.-,
CHAPTERV.-Co
[ copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. strohml

as was his fashion. He had not asked
her again, but-well, he would do so,
he thought, as in whirl of lace and
feathers she swept past him, leaving
a faint breath of the ghost of roses,
crushed years ago, in the folds of that
soft, old gown.
Just then, from the embrasure of a
nearby window, he heard voice say
ing, 81 guess they are none too ardent
partiots the father lost everything in
Virginia, and | heard it was because
of some personal animosity begotten as
long ago as '76. 1t seems he came of
an unpopular family-all strong tories.
The enemies made then have followed
him all these years, and finally accom-
plished his ruin. He had to get out of
the state. His wife and daughter are
following"
Another voice added, From what
can learn, the girl and her mother are
just as bad; rank tories, yet, I'll be
sworn"
The first speaker laughed. at isn't
llhCly IAC Glll wac WI IL uhSAi AShS
after the war;"
Maybe not, but if she has any sym
pathies they're mixed, to say the least
Why, she, herself, told me that the
dress she has on is one her mother
wore at the Meschianza. And she add
ed that Mrs. Creighton danced with
Andre. How's that for effrontery?
Andre!"
At this moment Winslow let his
presence be known, and one of the
soldiers exclaimed haughtily: "a lis
tener, sir?"
There was insult in his manner, but
Winslow held himself in check can
unwilling listener, l assure you," he
said, and would have passed on, but
the soldier-an aide on the command
er's staff, barred his way. Unwilling
to be caught, you mean. No, sir; this
is all of a piece; your tory friends pa
rading in the clothes which were worn
in insult to the flag"
Winslow interrupted him with a
scornful laugh. Are you not unrolling
a long-buried past, sir? What possible
excuse can there be for the use of the
word tory, now? 1t ceased to have
meaning when the king ceased to be-"
Indeed" sneered the other "but the
sentiment still lives in some hearts,
and fostered it will be so long as there
breathes an Aaron Burr, or one of his
spies!"
Winslow's impulse was to dash his
glove in the speakers face, but the
dramatic effect was with him, subservi-
ent to the prophecies, and he was OPP
posed to a scene. Instead, therefore,
he quietly dropped the glove, as if by
accident at his opponents feet. The
look in his eyes admitted of no mis-
take as to his meaning.
Il leave time and place to you, sir,
he said, and left the group.
When he had gone, the soldiers ex
changed glances, partly OF amusement,
but more of chagrin. There was a
strict rule in the camp against duel
ling, so that if a combatant escaped
the sword or bullet of his antagonist,
the guardhouse or loss of rank awaited
him. Neither was pleasing prospect,
and the soldier had much ado to hide
his fear under cloak of bravado.
Worse still, the very name of Aaron
Burr struck terror to the heart of a
duellist, and this man he had pro-
voked was connected with him-per-
haps shared his prowess. The
thought made him vince. His com
panion read his fright under the as
sumption of Indifference. Cheer up,
old man, if your sword is rusty be
careful how you insult Aaron Burr or
one of mrs followers. This man may
be a spy"
May be?' l tell you he is! Sent
here ostensibily on the FOOLS errand
to protect these women, but in reality
to look the ground over and lay plans
for the capture of the fort. It's all as
plain as pikestaff. | won't take back
my word. My sword isn't rusty, and
DANCED if don't prove it tomorrow.
Winslow left the two men with eyes
ablaze. Ais mouth, usually curved in
a ready showing of the white teeth,
was set now, and hard. Near the door
Mrs. Creighton stopped him. Whittier
bound, my friend?" she said lightly.
Then, as she scrutinized his face:
why, how solemn you look. Has any
thing happened?"
Winslow's brow cleared in an at
tempted smile. 81 am only grieving
that | am not that lucky cavalier on
Miss Lavender's right. Will you ask
her to save the last minuet for me?
Command her by your maternal au-
thority or l shall never get it."
With this subterfuge he excused him
self and went on to the verandah, glad
to be alone,
Mrs. Creighton slipped along the edge
o. the circle of dancers until she found
a convenient chair in the embrasure
where Winslow had encountered the
soldiers. She was in time to hear most
Of the conversation that followed his
departure, and her quick wit OWNED
its meaning. A dnell Then Charles |
had given or received challenge. No