Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-12-12

At that moment there was 8 found
in the forest, an indistinguishable
sound; but their hearts stood still to
hear.
CHAPTER XVI
A strange sound in those wild woods
was enough to make the boldest start.
All day they had heard only the hum
Of bee, or twltter Of bird; the swaving
Of branch or f1utter of leaf In the too
ardent caress Of the south wind.
But this noise was none of these. It
came from the road whence they had
journeyed. The Indians! They were
overtaken!
A fear seized the girl-a horror so
awful that she would have fallen hut
for Winslow's protecting arms. For
no other terror the mind OF those days
could conjure had power to appall like
this. AS both stood to catch the
sounds that grew nearer, they distin-
guished the tramp Of hoofs, and min
gled with these the voices and laugh
ter Of many men.
Laughter! Speech! Here was re-
lief so great that they wanted to shout
aloud-to give it some physical ut
terance. For Indians did not pursue
fugitives with tumult of voices and
clatter of harness.
Thank God for the laughter!" Wins
low cried. 1.-THE cracking OF thorns'
shall be my next toast"
Lavender's smile was an effort SIS
nearer came the ring Of hoofs and the
sound Of men in loud talk. They were
not Indians-for that she was deeply
grateful, but what were they? Any
interruption was unwelcome now. A
premonitlon of evil made her shrink
back as troop of horsemen filed into
view. The search party!- Winslow
was ashamed of his sudden sinking of
heart at the sight which should have
been so welcome, for her sake. But
their happy hour together was ended
NV. Gerald rode ahead, Gonzaga be-
side him. -:
Gerald, BROTHER" and, clapping her
hands, ecstatically, Lavender rushed
from the protecting shrubbery into the
middle Of the road.
x There was confusion in the band of
riders; the sudden halt was followed
by a variety of oaths and EXPLANATIONS.
Amidst yolley OF. questions the lead
ers dismounted and advanced, Gerald
first. Lavender stepped to meet him,
but the eager welcome left her lips
as she read in his face distrust and
anger. s-~
Without touching her outstretched
hand: $50, we have found you!" he
said.
That was all, and there was q ring
in his voice, glitter in his eyes like
steel. =.
"Why, Gerald, have you no word of
welcome you not glad to see me?''
. Here Winslow interposed, quietly:
Il fear I am the one he. Is not glad
to see,'' and he faced the brother who
surveyed him in naughty silence.
"But why-1, l don't understand
Lavender stammered, looking helpless.
ly from one to the other. IT,.
Here Gonzaga bowed low to, her.
Perhaps I can enlighten you, Miss
Creighton. But first and, adyan.
cling a step, he offered his hand. !,
Mechanically she put her palm in
his and, holding it in a lingering pres.
sure, he continued: First allow me
to say how glad I am to see you safe
and we'll" - - ~ r.. IN z1E = :, u.
She withdrew her hand. 'tThis is
no time for compliment, senor.::aI an
surely puzzled at this greeting.
Where expected pleasure, sword OF
welcome, at least, meet with cold
ness, and public snub. 4 am loath
to, turn from my brother for explana,
ton, but It seems I am forced to IT,
At this Gerald's anger burst all
bounds, and he cried: & :..What? You
ask what 10 the matter? You,z who
disappeared with this: mans servant,
only to be encount tered alone with the
master two days later r. rs # e:
Wins1ow stood silent, holding him.
self In check. by 8 great effort I; 4
g: 10 his surprise, Lavender gave Z
little sarcastic laugh. 4. Are you s:wor.
ried about TIE servant? He SIS safe
as I have been. .:* s=si " :as: NE.
Then dropping the mask :of light.
ness. .s'Safe, !, she repeated. !" Safe,
with this gentleman, but for whom
you would have gone back To-. our
.mothe lone. =| vs. AZ: s: :=s:s
... She ended with q touch Of solemnity
which was not Wit hout its effect. upon
her sbroth ne turned toward Wins:
low, but before he could speak. Con.
5zaga 1nterp posed, with laugh, low,
=ripplin but mot. pleasant tto hear,
ali agree IN 1ightsat your. resi
Az men have cause sto.re.
sjoice, 81, and agaiin bent over hsI
hand.
= =zsEs tinusd
enter. s. ealing.
hen asplock etsi tonehSa
TIT