Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-11-08

emphasized, too, by a slight rustic of the
papers as she clasped both hands to hor
bodice that rose and fell with every
anxious breath.
When, an hour Dr. two later, Winslow
presented himself at Mrs. Creighton's
door, it was with feelings hard to define.
If the dispatch were discovered, or if it
remained secret, were alternatives
equally distasteful. The indignity Of the
guard house, the delay and ill-fame of q
trial, scarcely more than balanced his
horror of any undetermined proceeding.
81 will leave 1t to Fate" he thought
as he knocked for entrance. And then:
"No, I will leave it to her." was his Sec
ond resolve, as the door opened and
Lavender stood before him.
For in spite of the defiant sparkle in
her eyes, and the scarlet in each
cheek, there was ABOUT her an at
mosphere of such absolute innocence
such fearless consciousness Of integ-
rity, that Winslow was ashamed of his
own scruples. They seemed pusillani-
nous beside her instructive perception
of the right.
"She is one of the few who can be
a law unto herself. and yet walA the mar
row path" he thought.
Mrs. Creighton came at once to the
subject uppermost in the minds Of all.
Lavender has told me everything, MI.
Winslow, and l have read the dispatch.
I can scarcely contain my Indignation,
my sympathy for you, or my. personal
regret that you + brought to this
trouble through care for u.s."
She beckoned him to a seat beside
her, and her voice sank to a confden-
tial tone; "but tell me what you think
best TO do"
Winslow hesitated. There are two
plans which suggest themselves. One
is to go direct to the commander, ex-
plain all, and prove my innocence, If
possible, relying upon his justice. The
other" he paused, i. meaningly, and
lowered his voice. 1.-THE other-is to
take French leave at our first opportu.
nifty"
Mrs. Creighton smiled as she said,
alphabetically: "And you are at a loss
how to act? I can well understand
it."
But Lavender, who was all this time
impatiently tapping her foot against
the andiron, turned her back to the
chimney piece, her whole figure vibrat-
ing with Indignation. you under
stand his hesitation, mother? Well, l
confess l don't! Why should we
give up these dispatches? 1t would
do nobody any good, and would cause
a great deal of harm. Mr.. Winslow's
conscience is clear-what Is to be
gained by the mockery of a trial? They
would find him guilty, of course"
then as her listeners started in sur
prise-"He Is guilty of the only thing
of which he stands accused-connec-
ton with the Burr expedition. You
would not deny that. So you see 1t
was ~providential that we got hold OF
the papers first. And that reminds
me-" her mood changed, and she
laughed merrily, eff l am not mistaken,
| got hold of the papers first"
Here Winslow reminded her: But
you have forgotten the Indian. There
is every reason to fear his explanation.
or, in any case, the investigation he
may set on foot"
Lavender did not reply for a mo-
ment. She was thinking of the In
idan's face when he said "Owatoga has
lost the dispatches" Of the look In
his eye when he hid the empty KNAPP
sack. She recalled his silence later
when Intercepted by the corporal, and
her belief was strong that from Owato-
ga they had nothing to fear.
But ashamed lest she be thought
over-confident,' she said only: "Let us
not worry about Owatoga; only let ue
go as o o as we can"
Then you approve Of the French
leave?"
Strongly, sir; don't you, mother?'
and she sank to the stool at her moth.
er's fetal the frowning impatiencs
gone from the beautiful face.
Mrs. Creighton spoke softly, twist.
ing the tiny curls on the fair, bent
head at her knee. From a selfish
point Of view, daughter, I certainly do.
If MI. Winslow stands trial, he will be
detained here indefinitely, and we with
him, or adrift without him. 1t is char.
acteristic Of his generosity that he
let's two helpless women decide to
their W advantage. He may prefer
the more open course, and we must in
sist that he alone decide. 1t is a
choice of evils-as are most things in
this complex world" She ended be-
tween a smile and a tear.
"A hard choice, truly" Lavenda
agreed, with a saucy tilt Of her chin.
But think of the brave company you
would be in. Choose at once, sir-a
prisoner here, alone, or a thief In the
night with mother and me, the abat.
ting malefactors!"
All Joined in the laugh, and Winslow
felt his spirits rise al with a new and
strange elixir. "A thief in the night
be it, then!" he said, in mock heroics.
Then soberly the plan Of action was
agreed upon. They were ito say moth
ing Of the dispatches, but to seize the
first pretext to leave the fort.
"And in order that there may be po
backsliding, the bridges must be
burnt" and going to the CRATE, Laven-
der dropped the dispatches on the
heart Of the Goals. Slowly the edges
uncurled in a last mischievous attempt
to reveal the secret; then a greedy
flame devoured the papers.
f "Ashes!" Lavender exclaimed IN fri.