The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1906-09-20
air. band-to-hand night; yo, are a

man who insults women is unfit to
wear it,"
Paralyzed. less by fear than amaze
ment and chagrln at being worsted n
a bloodless encounter with one he
thou ,at so mean a foe. the soldier
skunk away muttering vengeance be-
lied by his hang-dog manner,
In the short silence that followed,
America continued her way to the
spring house, leaving her young mis-
tress and the stranger together.
she picked up his coat, and fiecking
the dust from it, said:
81 am very much obliged to you,
sir"
"The pleasure is mine; l was fortl-
nate in being here"
THE trial, then, is over?'
"As farce it began; as a farce it
ended | can only regret the emba"-
rassment it caused you"
She laughed joyously. Pray, sir, do
not consider it. We have had so much
to bear for the past two days tina. a
trifle more does not matter"
Her voice was very near to tears.
Then. quickly recovering: "All this
time, Mr. Winslow, | have the advan-
tage. You do not know my name; am
Lavender Creighton
She extended her nand, adding: you
must forgive my not sooner summon
ing my aunt; she has but just returned
from Marietta"
Then Mrs. Blennerhasset is your
aunt?"
II call her so 1t is, however, the
privilege of friendship only. We are old
and dear friends. My mother and |
have been staying with her this winter.
We are en- route to the west--to the
new territory. and we're waiting for
good weather-for the spring-to con-
tinue the journey. 1t seems now" she
added, with little catch of breath,
that we are to go on regardless of the
season. The law waits no man pleas
ure-no, nor woman's. either"
Here America, returning, inter
rupted.
Scuse me, missy, but y all better
come on to de Kitchen" and they fol-
lowed her in silence. Then the cook
placed chairs for them around lie
stove while she hustled about getting
dinner, and this informal introduction
into the family affairs delighted the
guest. but Lavender apologized.
81 fear this is poor sort of hospital
ity. sir, but Americas domain is the
only private part of the house the
soldiers bow to her will alone, and so
give her wide berth"
Dusting a floury chair for him, she
placed it before him with a little ex-
aggerated bow; then she left the room
to call Mrs. Blennerhasset.
A few moments later the mistress of
the house entered. She was a woman
past the prime of life. but still at
tractive, her face beautified by The
eyes. large. dark and full of purpose
The stranger rose. my name is
Winslow," he said simply. "and | have
the honor to present credentials from
our distinguished leade~, Col. Burr"
The name was open Sesame to the
heart of his listener.
You need no higher right of entry
to our hearth, sir. May | ask, then, If
you come to join the expedition"
Il do, madam, and dozen stout
hearts bear me company"
He then briefly detailed the cppo5!-
tion they had met with.
But the comic affair was soon over.
and we are again free to proce d.
There was no show OF warrant for our
detention"
Can you imagine, sir, by what .ea-
son We are submitted to such olt-
rages?"
1T is, indeed, more than | can IN
derstand. Until our mock trial of 10
day | had no knowledge of any susri-
cion against the character of our IN
dertaking, its chief. or those engaged
in it. As peaceful citizens under the
Hag we reached your island, intending
TO Join in the settlement of new lanes
in the southwest Call us pioneer
soldiers OF fortune-what you will out
traitors-ah, ii is too absurd"
Then, more seriously, he added: Il
am in the dark as 10 the SPECIFIC
charges. Ii appears. however. that
Col. Burr and your husband are sus-
pected of a design to overthrow the ex-
isting government and set up another
in some vague part of the south |
cannot account for all this farrago of
nonsense and bubbles, except on the
score of political intrigue. And mrst
of US are helpless to fight that"
Then you are not a Politician" the
lady asked, smiling at the warmth Of
his manner
NO. madam, God save the mark, /
am an emisraat-a hOmeseeker."
There was a lull; she looked about
the desecrated room.
i deeply grieve, sir, that l have no
hospitality TO grant-no home. N!r
BlealeThasset went away two NIGHTS
ago. lie disliked the stealth. the Sc
crecy, but would not wait for the laws
delay. Next day the militia descended
upon US, and We have since been at he
mercy OF these lawless administrators
Of the law"
And what excuse do they offer for
this outrage?"
They tell us that the presidents
proclamation has reached Wood ooGn-
~, and they must carry out his orders
10 stop our 'treasOnable designs. Mr
Blennerhasset foresaw this. and we
had arranged that was TO follow in
our family boat 20 the mouth Of the
Cumberland. This is his meeting pIace
with Col. Burr, and from there We were