The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-10-04
by OLIVIA B. sTROHn1
* So,
{ lcoPyrIeht. -, by olivlA D. strohml }


| vi our tHNfIDIlSt Nudu n pun vi
distressed females. On my own behalf
thank you for your zeal and loyahy;
on theirs-well. on theirs, have to ask
smother Favor; It's the way Of the sex.
His black eyes twinkled merrily, and he
took pinch of snuff. Then blowing some
of the particles OF powder from his bun
waistcoat he said: "The plight OF the
lady Mrs. Creighton, and her daughter
you doubtless know. They cannot con.
tinue with rs on the river, since their
final destination Is one of the new set
Elements in the recently acquired terri
tory-near st. Louis. | believe. Mrs
Blennerhasset has asked my advice; II
Is, that the ladies be established foi
the winter at Fort Massac. think there
will be no difficulty in this plan. am
i am acquainted with the command
err" Here Col. Burr cleared his throat
as with tacti depreciation, and took an.
other pinch of snuff.
I'm early spring, they can proceed by
keel boat up the river-the Mississippi
Or, in the meantime, If necessity arise,
the journey can be made overland. But
| whatever ultimate plans are decided
upon, our present duty is plain. We
cort" He paused, looking straight at
! Winslow.
The pause and look were full of mean
| ing, but the younger man ignored both.
save by an expression of polite inquiry.
II think you will agree with us" Burr
continued, that 1t would be imprudent
to leave the ladies at this time, in this
unsafe country, without one whose sole
care would be their comfort. You will
also see, that this one must be a gentle
man; that he must have courage and
address and above ALL must be person
whose company will be agreeable to the
ladies In question. You guess my drift,
sir?"
"Modesty forbids," and the young
man smiled.
Then, to be direct, let me say that
you, of all men, seem best fitted for the
charge; If you will undertake It, let me
assure you of the gratitude of all con-
cerned."
Winslow drew deep breath, and in
the long pause which followed his eyes
rove unseeing about the room. The
slight, dark man watching him, read
his thoughts, but made no effort to in
terpret them aloud. At last Winslow
spoke. Il am deeply grateful for your
confidence, Col. Burr; believe me, re-
aliZe the honor ] also realize that hesi.
tation is unchiyalrous, but" a slight
pause, then he shrugged his shoulders
with ill-concealed impatience, but al
niceties of speech aside, and waving
gallantry you surely can understand
sir, that | must be disappointed at your
command"
My 'commaEd?'"
"A request from our leader is equiv
alent to command; as such | obey II
But | frankly state that am sorry tc
abandon the quarry-especially now
that the falconer himself is with us"
The leader bowed. Il thank you
Your loyal appreciation makes it hare
TO part with your services, even TEN
porarily. But we are confronted with
a choice of evils. Our chivalry is al
stake; II would be a bad beginning tC
our enterprise were we to fail in duty tc
women in distress. And am convinced
our duty can be best fulfilled with you
their guide and escort"
liz Winslow shook his head. Pardon
me, but do not think your choice a
happy one. 1t smacks of the heroic, and
! l." he glanced at his own slight fig
ure, and threw up his hands with half
mocliing smile. II am no hero; only a
plain country schoolteacher in search
of pastures new"
but you are brave man, and gen
tleman. You have, too, common sense
Nalor for valor's sake, is obsolete as the
shield it accompanied OF all the
synonyms for courage, fortitude is. |
think, the best. This, your friends as
sure me, you possess. Above all, you are
particularly congenial to the ladies', and
TO be frank, the suggestion of your name
met with their distant approval"
THAT ought to decide the question, If
! have a spark of gallantry," Winslow
said, lightly.
Furthermore" Burr continued. I'VE
do not consider that you are giving up
the eNI edition; there will be many op-
portunities for you TO join us later; con-
slider this but furlough-a release on
parole, not a mustering-out. Rising.
lc added, in low, sibilaHt tones: Then
we may believe it settled, and the ladies
can count upon your services. which.
by the way, are not to be underrated. A
village schoolmaster with level mead
and temper well in hand, is safer guide
than swashing gallant with a toe
| ready sword.
Winslow bowed his thanks. and was
about To withdraw, when Aaron Burr
stopped him with a slight gesture
"One moment, Mr., Winslow: there is
yet another service would impose
1t is a personal favor"
slight pause followed, which, had
! Winslow been younger or more en-
thusiastic. he would have filed will
protestations of devotion and pleasure
at the prospect of serving his chief
But he only said, you do me honor
sir" with a grave smile, and waited
further instructions.
| Burr lowered his voice and stepped
closer as he said, Il have been en-
gagged in some correspondence wit.
our commander-in-chief. Col. Wilkin
son. Communication with him, how
/ ever, is difficult, and since what have
written is upon private may say
| ticklish business, | am anxious thai
Now the favor | would ask Of you IL