Mower County transcript., 1906-08-01
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER 1.--Story opens on banks of
Ohio in 1906. Party headed by Charles
Winslow arrested as pals OF Aaron Burr.
Miss Creighton introduced.
CHAPTER 2.-Winslow falls in with ex-
ponents Of Burr expedition to form repub-
lie in south. Acquitted at trial, he offers
hasset, wife of leader, introduced.
CHAPTER 3.-Winslow with new friends
starts out in his boat for new home await
ing them in the west. His friends also ac-
company expedition.
CHAPTER 4.-Winslow party meets Col.
Burr and his expedition. Winslow pro-
ceeds with women to Fort Massac, where
latter are left for winter. Men continue
western journey.
CHAPTER 5.-Burr expedition declared
a failure. Winslow, upon being called a
spy by soldier at fort, challenges accuser
to duel. Soldier accepts Affair stopped
by commander of fort.
vCnLAd; CHAPTER 7I 60 Lavender discovers
arrest Of Winslow in connection with Burr
case. Kindness to Indian causes him to
oeclare ne lost papers, and Lavender burns
Winslow was about to demonstrate,
but she shook her head in warning as
the Indian stirred restlessly and opened
his eyes. He tried to rise, but sank back
helpless.
The wound is slight" Winslow said,
after hasty examination; "but he Is
faint from loss Of blood. l will have a
litter brought here as quickly as pos
sible"
Lavender put out her hand, and,
grasping his sleeve, pulled him toward
her, until her lips were very near his
ear. First you must promise me to say
nothing of the dispatches-let us talk
it over. Do nothing RASH"
He pressed he hand in both of his,
and, with sig. if1cant smile, hurried 10
the fort.
Soon the 1ndi n rallied a little, and
struggled to sit ing posture.
BE patient; OF has gone for help"
Lavender said.
There was blood on her dress where
the dusky head had lain, and the girl:
tired and weak after the cramped posi-
ton, staggered to her feet and leaned
against tree with an exhausted sigh.
All this the red 1nan noted. white
maiden tired?" Then his eyes sought
the knapsack, and he made an effort to
reach it. Lavender quietly handed it to
him, though her heart beat violently.
See, it is empty" she said.
A strange smile crossed the mans
dark face-a smile oS cunning, secret in
telligence. Only for an instant; it
passed, and he wore again the impassive
look-his savage soul once more a pris-
oner behind the inscrutable eyes.
1T is empty" he agreed, repeating
her words and infection; "Owatoga has
lost the dispatches
Then, stretching out his hand for the
sack, he deliberately dropped it in the
hollow of the tree back of him. There
it lay out of sight, Satisfied that it was
safely hidden, the Indian hung his head
wearily, and neither moved nor spoke.
Lavender, too, stood silent, with every
nerve alert-waiting.
It was not long before she heard voices
and the tramp of feet. Led by Winslow,
a party of soldiers from the fort came to
the relief A few questions we're asked,
and Lavender stold her story. Her de-
scription of the second Indian who had
so mysteriously come and gone, led
them to believe him wandering hunter
whose arrow had flown wide of the mark
He doubtless belonged to the Osages of
which tribe the wounded man was a
member. Examination of the tattoo
victim were akin-that they worshiped
the Great Spirit and tortured their en-
emies after the same good way.
Probably there would have been no
trouble in any event, but now they might
feel doubly secure.
And you Owatoga, you come from
Washington"
The Indian nodded, and his question
era corporal of the eguard-persisted:
But where are the dispatches?'
In the seconds pause which followed,
Lavender held her breath.
"Owatoga has lost them," the Indian
grurted, and, with a. show Of great fa-
tigue, his head fell forward on his
breast.
beg pardon, corporal" Lavender in
terfered. You see he is so weak; can
not the questions waltz"
Obedient to her suggestion, the squad
proceeded to camp. bearing the wounded
man on the litter
Winslow and the corporal walked
with Lavender. The officer said: 1T is
curious that Owatoga should have lost
those dispatches. He. is frequently sent
from Fort Washington here. and is usu-
ally careful. lie had nothing in the way
OF papers when he fell, Miss Creighton?"
Lavender paused to disentangle a bit
of briar from her skirt, and replied,
without looking up: Indeed, you can
we'll imagine that was too frightened
to pay much attention to particulars. "
II am sure it was pretty hard expe-
rience." the soldier agreed. "She is
plucky, ism t she?" he said to Winslow
with an admiring nod in Lavender's di-
rection.
"Very," was the laconic response but
Winslow's manner as he took her arm
implied much more.
The soldier chatted aimlessIy, and in
silnnca tho: two fo1l0wod him h,o1, +,