Mower County transcript., 1906-08-15

like lightning Is the cruel eyes be-
hind Il. There was q flash, & report.
and the thud Of u falling body. Both
WinsloW and the slave he had re-
deemed lay prostrate at the foot Of
the post
Instantly there was an uproar, and
the rush Of excited men to the res res
cue. With scream Of terror. Layen-
der darted forward, but before she
could reach the spot, and to the gem
1 eral amazement, both rose and faced
the crowd. s.> ..5. *: &. 81. 81:
I In the silence Winslow stared at the
woman beside him. Her olive skin
was darker with horror, and she stag
gered to the post as if for support.
: Whats the matter?" demanded
Finch, striding forward. - % ~ =
II can o1fer no explanation" Wins
low returned, calmly, Except that the
young woman" he indicated the octo
room, was overcome and fell against
me. Not expecting the weight, / top
pied ignominiously," he concluded.
with an apologetic smile.
Then, ut the captains urging, he re-
placed the cup on his head. But the
dark woman snatched it away, and
threw it out far over the water. t'No,
no, not again; no, never!" she poured
out the words in a torrent Of feeling.
"Fhe rifle was not aimed true! 1 saw
it, but it was too late. saw the
flash, and then-then I pushed you
out-of range. II could think Of no
other way" she concluded, with a
burst of sobs.
A hush fell upon the company, So
bered by the sudden Tapping of the
wings of Death.
A voice from the crowd at length broke
thespell: well, Pat, reckon ye're glad
the wench saved ye from bein a mur-
derer; but how in hi come ye to
make sech a mistaken
The man with the rife paused, then,
under broWs that met in sinister
bar, he demanded: "How are We goin'
to- prove it: would done any hurt? !?
How dye know the gun warn't aimed
true?"
Sharp and clear rang the answer:
''By the bullet in the post, See!" and
the octoroon pointed to where, cheat
ed of softer burial, the bit of lead lay
firmly imbedded in the wood.
Winslow stepped alongside; it was
just as high as his heart. All eyes
were turned to the boatman, who met
the stare untlinching. Somebody NUT
tered: "She spoilt id good shot,"
and at this voicing of the general sus-
picion, an angry murmur rose.
But the bully was undismayed.
Accidents will happen, he said, and
cOolly staggered below.
CHAPTER x.
On arrival in st. Louis the Creigh-
tons were met by Mr.. Creighton, and
at once proceeded to their place near
st. Charles.
Most of those who had come in the
boat remained for time in St. Louis,
but all seemed waiting-expecting,
they. knew. not what.
For Winslow, too, there was nothing
to do but wait, although most eager to
accept the Creighton's urged hospital
ity. The governor was absent in the
south; it was therefore, impossible for
Winslow to deliver the packet which
in his anxiety to know the where
abouts and errand of Wilkinson, he
made haste to call upon the deputy.
To his surprise, he was refused ad-
mission. Twice later he was denied
with insufficient reason. Had an i'll
wind preceded him with tidings which
made his presence difficult?
One night he strode impatiently up
and down the viae-covered porch in
front of the tavern. Dreading failure
of the plans of Aaron Burr, he was
made still more lonely by the loss of
companionship which had grown so
dear, and turned into sweet the bitter
of exile.
Suddenly there was a clamor of
hoofs outside, and two men dismount-
ed at the wicket.
A boy ran forward to hold the
horses, and the riders entered the
yard. With eyes upon Winslow, they
walked with steady, business-like mien
to where he stood. Then the taller
threw aside heavy cloak, displaying
the dingy uniform of sergeant. Lay
ing heavy hand upon Winslow's
shoulder, he exclaimed: "You are my
prisoner"
Charles stared and gave long
whistle. Perhaps this is the custom
of your settlement" he said, "to. arrest
all persons found stirring after night
fall. This must be free translation
of the curfew, for plead guilty only
to being awake"
But. the would-be captor was not
jocularly disposed. '"You will soon
laugh out of the other side of your
mouth, young man (if that gibbering
deputy knows his business)," he added,
under breath.
MI, oorfin,,ads Hvnr'ra uanto1 fOv