Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-11
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
 "The Kings Highway is little un. certain" Winslow laughed as they trudged over the trail where only the faintest mark of wheels showed traces of frontier enterprise. s..,.s.~.~
 Lavender tried to return the sally, buh the words would not come, and she walked by his side, dumb and heavy-eyed. rIs
 Why so pensive?" he asked at last.
 But her reply was evasive, and he said no more, but talked of things i'm personal.
 About noon they rested by brook that invited them by cheerful gurgle. Lavender sat on the messy turf while Winslow busted himself arranging the lunch from hamper. .- ....
 At the brookside he filled leaf with water
 Drink" he commanded "This is the cup of Lethe! You need it with that tragedy in your eyes"
 Have we time to stay here and rest . little?" she asked.
 Winslow glanced at the sun. He has long to travel" he said. "He will light us for hours yet" and he threw himself at her feet, while she said. with light raillery: q see you have caught some of owatoga's tricks of speech" ..s..>--..,....
 After a pause he said: You are cold to me today: you are not happy with me. Won't you tell me why?"
 She did not answer.
 Lavender" (and he fingered over the name), Tell me why. Is this, then, the time to hate?" 1 She looked into his eyes frankly. 'No," she said; mo. not a time to hate That time will never come. But it is time to talk A time to think. A time to be honest with my self-and you"
 Self-disgust was vibrant in her voice. Then she opened the bag which again dangled at her waist, and from it drew the yellow envelope. l Winslow gave an exclamation of dis tressed annoyance, but said nothing.
 Then you recognize this?" and there was naughty distrust again in her manner.
 q am sorry to say do. May ask how it came in your possession?" His manner, too. was cold and per. emptory.
 She did not reply, and he continued: ''The abominable mystery-for me surrounding that letter is bad enough without your being mixed up in 1t too; that cannot bear" With flashing eyes she returned: Tt is true that this letter is none of my affair unless-unless we are to be friends. If we are" her voice dropped lower. then surely have the right 10 know why she-that half-brced woman-wrote this?" She extended the letter toward him, entreaty. reproach and scorn in her look and tone. winslow took it calmly and. glanc- ing 1t over with an indifferent air. said: She did not write it."
 Did not write it?" she repeated. vaguely.
 She did not I have the bes, proof in the world. She cannot write al all"
 Then, as she stared at him dum- founded. he explained further: This letter is a forgery-written for what purpose. Heaven alone knows. Its . n,Fw r<-,,t. --.. .h,, E, .at.r s--a-.nna of the reason for my summons. or of whom I was going 10 meet. came 10 the place appointed-in time to re eeive a stab in the dark. Of course. I was a fool to go. but-vell. you see the note is urgent. For the sake of one I love- the writer says" He ended with . meaning look straight into her eyes. which were beginning to droop before the abso lute honesty in his
 The woman. Belle. has assured me that she never sent me a message of any sort. the question is-vho did,~
 Who. indeedr A dreadful doubt vxs fonsntins in Lsvender's brain. but she persevered faIteringiy: But the girl she rho vas in the woods that right.-
 He laughed well I suppose I must take evsrybodyIs word that there vas a girl there. but-veIl I did not see her. It is plain I did not have ny vits about ne By the vzy. have met her since. our estates joir..- he aided with r1r< sszrsv
 ITO be Contfnuea-s