Mower County transcript., 1906-12-12
Copyright, 1905, BY Olivia B. Strohm).

! @11, anu there was ring
! in his voice, glitter in his eyes like
steel.
"Why, Gerald, have you no word Of
welcome-are you not glad to see me?"
Here Winslow interposed, quietly:
~ fear am the one he is not glad
to see," and he faced the brother who
surveyed him in naughty silence.
But why-I, don't understand"
Lavender stammered, looking helpless
ly from one to the other.
Here Gonzaga bowed low to her.
| "Perhaps I can enlighten you, Miss
Creighton. But first" and, advan.
cling step, he offered his hand. =,
! Mechanically she put her palm in
his and, holding it in lingering pres
sure, he continued: "First allow me
to say how glad am to see you safe
and WELL"
She withdrew her hand. This is
no time for compliment, senor. l am
surely puzzled at this greeting.
Where I expected pleasure, a word Of
welcome, at least, l meet with cold
ness, and a public snub. I am loath
to turn from my brother for explana-
ton, but it seems l am forced to it."
At this Gerald's anger burst all
bounds, and he cried: What? You
ask what is the matter? You, who
disappeared with this mans servant,
only to be encountered alone with the
Daster two days later?'
| Winslow stood silent, holding him.
self in check by great effort.
To his surprise, Lavender gave a
little sarcastic laugh. Are you wor-
ried about the servant? He is safe
as l have been"
Then dropping the mask of light
ness. "Safe," she repeated. "Safe,
with this gentleman, but for whom
you would have gone back to our
mother-alone."
! She ended with touch of solemnity
which was not without it's effect upon
her brother. He turned toward Wins
low, but before he could speak, Con-
zaga interposed, with a laugh, low,
ripping, but not pleasant to hear.
I'VE all agree in delight at your res
cue-l, OF all men, have cause to re-
joice," and again he bent over her
hand.
His words and manner, coming so
soon after. Lavender's confession, let
in flood Of light on Winslow's brain.
This, then, was the somebody else."
Because of this man, with his cruel
| C11o 10 md l@I
she had mo right to love him." No
right to love him-Winslow, to whom
the day was more splendid, the night
more blest because with tnem came
thought and dreams of her!
The sudden suspicion made him
stagger for a moment, and as if to
add fuel to his pent-up rage, the Span
lard commented further with side
long look in his direction. 1T is, of
course, great joy that you are safe
even under the circumstances-but,
we'll, the only trouble is, that our
friend, the schoolmaster here, appears
to think the end justifies the means,
! and naturally, an indignant brother
would not agree with him."
With fury which jealousy, alone,
could have kindled in him to so white
heat, Winslow turned to the crowd,
and called in a loud voice: "One mo.
! ment-let me have your attention,
| friends
| Most of the party had dismounted,
and now stood in groups idly amused,
and only slightly interested in the
proceedings. The girl they had come
in search of, was safe-they were
ready to go home-why this delay?
Nevertheless, they all paid strict at
tention to Winslow, who turned to
them with blazing, eloquent eyes.
Friends, in behalf of this young lady,
and of my own honor-which is almost
as dear-I want to tell you how found
her, and why l presumed to start on
the search. Don't you remember that
l said I might go, but if so, it would
be alone?"
There were murmurs of assent. and
the burly Tobias Judson, who had
urged Winslow to start with them
from the tavern, came good-naturedly
i
eff we hadn't a ben so id smart,
we'd a-known We was goin'."
"Just so, sir, thank you. re-
| ceived hint which was left me by my
servant, with one whom I am not at
! liberty to mention. AS man to man,
assure you that l went forth CROP
| ing, except iO4 that slight clCW. 1t
led me to the hut, temporary shell
| ter of a friend of Owatoga's. One
with whom she had been safe, one of
whom you have all heard. Ask Dan
iel Boone to tell Miss Creighton's story.
Ask him whether or not the school
master is a gentleman"
The name of Boone acted like magic,
and the popular tide was at once
turned in the speakers favor. 1t was
known that the pioneer was even then
on a sojourn in his beloved wilderness.
| What more natural than that things
had happened as the schoolmaster had
said Besides, it was a matter easily