Mower County transcript., 1906-08-01
Lavender Creighton's
Lovers
BY OLIVIA b. STROHM
Copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. Strohm).

see you after supper, Mr.. Winslow.
Mother and I 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 CT 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, we're alternatives
equally distasteful. The indignity of the
guard house, the dalay and ill-fame of a
trial, scarcely more than balanced his
horror of any underhanded proceeding.
II will leave it to Fate," he thought.
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 distinctive perception
ct the right.
"She is one Of the few who can be
a law unto herself, and yet VAIN the mar
row path," he thoaght.
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 a confiden-
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, meaningly, and
lowered his voice. <'The other-is to
take French leave at our first opportu-
nifty"
Mrs. Creighton smiled as she said
sympathetically: "And you are at loss
how to act? can we'll understand
it."
p,1f ~yJ>0 oil h;e
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,
confess I don't! Why should we
give up these dispatches? 1t would
do nobody any good, and would cause
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-
tion 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, "if am not mistaken,
l 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