The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-09-07
tigue, his head fell forward on his

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. He had nothing in the way
of papers when he fell Miss Creighton
Lavender paused to disentangle bit
of briar from her skirt, and replied.
without looking up: Indeed, you can
well imagine that was too frightened
to pay much attention to particulars. J"
81 am sure it was pretty hard expe-
rience," the soldier agreed. "She is
plucky, isn'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 aimlessly, and in
silence the two followed him back to
camp. Occasionally the maid stole 4
glance half humble, half defiant at
Winslow. He would shake his head
with a severe frown-which, however,
lost effect from the smile in his eyes.
At the bastion gate they separated,
and while the corporal went in advance
Lavender linger to say: 1--WE hope to
see you after supper, Mr.. Winslow
Mother and l will be waiting in her
room" The commonplace invitation
was given strong meaning by her look
half command, half entreaty. This was
emphasized, too, by slight rustic of the
papers as she clasped both hands to her
bodice that rose and fell with every
anxious breath.
When, an hour or 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 a
trial, scarcely more than balanced his
horror of any undetermined proceeding,
81 will leave it to Fate" he though,
as he knocked for entrance. And then:
mo, 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
law unto herself, and yet VAIN 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, Mr..
Winslow, and have read the dispatch.
| can scarcely contain my Indignation.
my sympathy for you, or my personal
regret that you are brought to this
trouble through care for u.s."
She beckoned him to a seat beside
her, and her voice sank to confiden-
tial tone; but tell me what you think
best to do"
Winslow hesitated. There are two
plans which suggest themselves. One
is to 20 direct to the commander, ex-
plain all, and prove my innocence, if
possible, relying upon mis- justice. The
other" he paused, meaningly, and
lowered his voice. "The other-is to
take French leave at our first opportu-
nifty"
Mrs. Creighton smiled as she said,
alphabetically "And you are at loss
how to act? l can we'll 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, |
CUuleSS uOu L. why ohOulu 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 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 it
was providential that we got hold OF
the papers first. And that reminds
me-" her mood changed, and she
laughed merrily, eff 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
whom interropated nv the cOrDOral and