Mower County transcript., 1906-12-19

ears sOmeJnlng OF the story of Ger
AIDS intimacy with Sue Miller). IT
know; to meet my brother. But who
could have wanted Mr.. Winslow
there?"
"That I don't know, least it was some
enemy who thoug ght he'd get into trou-
BILE. The branch-water man had
threatened to kill your-Mr. Gerald,
and so anybody around there in the
dark was likely to-
But Lavender Interrupted with
sharp cry: "No, no; it could not have
been that. He-Mr. Winslow-has no
enemy who would be $3.50 guilty"
She spoke with a touch of hauteur
which subdued the woman. She ar
gued now, instead: well, maybe it
was somebody who wanted you to
think Mr.. Winslow was in love with
Sue. That wouldn't have been so bad,"
she concluded, for she saw that for the
first motive the young woman had no
temper.
'No, n, that wouldn't have been
so bad," Lavender repeated, half to
herself.
But the sickening suspicion over
came her, and she sank to the seat
and rested her hot cheek against the
soft, cool vine.
of mufhed voices, and down the road
, a film of sandy dust whitened the
trees.
'They have come back" and, united
in their common anxiety, the maid
and woman rushed out awaiting the
procession.
1t was coming slowly. Lavender's
heart stood still to see how slowly
A dozen or more men trudged be-
hind the unwieldy vehicle, which
seemed to crawl after the jaded mules
At last the girls strained eyes nlight.
ed upon straight figure, walking
sturdily and unharmed by it's side
Overpowered by the relief which sight
of Winslow brought, and shamed at
excess of it, Lavender leaned against
the wooden block, hands clasped and
color mounting until her cheeks out
famed the saliva that edged the way
with hem of scarlet.
Owatoga hurried in advance, and
strobe to her side without word. but
with variety of emotions wrinkling
his usually impassive face.
With a smile of greeting Lavender
asked: "You lett Col Boone, and is
he safe?"
"He is sate-at home" the Indian
responded.
Then. with al inscrutable look and
gesture toward the covered wagon he
added: "And the white maid is safe
how"
Without further explanation, he
passed on down the road
BY this time the procession was halt
ed near the tavern. and the crowd dis.
persed-mostly within the hostelry
The octoroon had only time for a
hearty word for Charles, when she
hurried within where her duties as
hostess were eagerly sought by the
thirsty travellers.
Meanwhile, to Lavenders surprise,
there was cOnstraint, sadness in
the response which Winslow and the
preacher made to her congratulations.
Charles bent so low that his breath
swept her hand, and in his eyes was a
fond greeting, but he glanced uneasily
toward the covered wagon, where
Rev. Ballinger stood with lowered
eyes, holding the curtains close, as if
on guard over something within.
Nobody spoke, and the silence filed
Lavender with a vague alarm. She had
noted the absence of Gonzaga. A
sharp suspicion seized her. ''Is some
body inside the wagon?" she de-
manded
Sudden, shrill from behind the cur
tains came the answer: "I am wait
ing. Where is she?"
The voice, familiar, yet so weak, SO
unlike it's natural tone of command,
made her numb with dread. But pity
was stronger, and she rushed to the
wagon, and pulled aside the curtain.
Then over the dying man she bent
with a face pale, but more than ever
beautiful in compassion.
Distrust and unfaith and all hard
ness passed forever at sight of him
stretched helpless there.
He opened his eyes. "I knew you
would come" he murmured.
He tried to raise his hand. She took
it in hers, repressing the shudder with
which her healthy frame shrank from
the cold, prophetic moisture in his
palm.
She whispered some sweet pitying
words, and her voice was music to his
ears.
To be Continued.