Mower County transcript., 1906-09-19
CHAPTER XVI.

L. 5i4r az
On their return to the Bat onlyEa
faint light blinked xdrowsily through.
the window Thereswas no sound-the
last guest was gone. The door swung
half ajar, and on it's step, her head
against the post, her hands crossed on
She was staring into the glade of over
arched trees, where not even the light
of a star filtered.
When Lavender came within the.
CLEAN of the candle, the octoroon recog-
nized and came forward to greet her.
Controlling herself by an effort, Law
ender said: Il have heard the news;
is there anything we can do?"
In spite of her attempt, her manner
was forced, cold.
The other woman's quick instinct
noted it. 'No, thank you, ma am, we
will keep him here for awhile At sun
up Mr.. Price is going for the Doctor
There was short pause, and the oc-
toroon continued: 'Mr. Winslow must
have come very sudden"
With eyes low on the ground, the girl
replied: Il should imagine So"
Lowering her voice, to note of mean
ing softness, the other said:> II thought
you would have been the first to know
of his comm" ...
Lavender had begun an embarrassed
reply, but just then querulous note of
pain, as of sufferer coming back from
oblivion, sounded through the half-open
door.
Excuse me, he may want something,'
the octoroon murmured, and hurried
into the tavern.
And she, who would gladly give of
her health and strength to his service
she stood outside unnoticed, unre-
membered
The wind rose, bending the branches
of the trees until they scraped the roof
with a dismal soughing. Just beyond,
the river fretted it's foam-edged way to
the sea- Tears trickled down the girls
cheeks as she stood thus alone in the
dark.
The Spaniard had gone to meet man
who approached from the farther edge
of the forest. It was Gerald, and to
Gonzaga now, his presence was most
undesirable. Explanation from her
brother would start questioning from
Lavender which must exonerate Wins
low. He must find way to prevent dis
cussion.
Out of the range of light GonZaga
stopped Gerald, and spoke rapidly and
low. "Your sister knows Of the en-
counter, but she does not know of you~
part in it. AS your friend, Mr.. Creigh-
ton, l have allowed her to be ignorant
Of your connection with this affair. She
would be terribly Shocked is it not bet
ter to- let her be deceived?
Theyouth' STAGE grew palerin the dark
ness. Then she has heard?"
Only part
And she thinks
Certainly she does. Winslow was
there-Winslow was shot - Winslow
was, therefore, the lover. A natural
supposition, is it not?''
The other drew himself up with dis
dain. 1T would be too dishonorable,
senior. l cannot let an innocent man
suffer for me- That he has been wound
ed through my fault is bad enough; more
cannot permit
But Gonzaga asked politely: "One
question: Did you kill this old man.
Miller?"
Before Gerald could speak the naughty
denial, his companion added: "Then
since you did not, Mr.. Winslow must
have. The old mans blood is on his
head. This, and his presence in the
forest, for which he could not, prob
ably, give a satisfactory reason-surely
all this is condemnation enough? One
other love affair, more or less-what
does it matter? And you-it would
distress your sister to know you were
mixed up in this murder" Gerald
WINGED at the ugly word. "And you
would much prefer not to be known in it. .
But Mr.. Winslow-he will explain
some day?" -,et
Some day, perhaps" Gonzaga re-
piled. For the present." There was
artful suggestion in the unfinished sen
tence, in the insinuating smile, the lift.
ed brows which, even in the darkness.
was not lost upon Gerald. He hesi-*
tated, then, without reply, walked slow
ly toward the inn. -. .,
The Spaniard followed in satisfied 81
lence; the leaven of temptation was set
that it would work he had little doubt
Lavender greeted her brother, with
hands outstretcned Gerald! Let us
90, and quickly r. /:
The Spaniard assisted him with the
boat, then waved farewells as he
watched them skim the water, the man,
rowing with long, impetuous strokes
his sister dropping in the stern, crushed,
beyond her usual endurance. sss
For some time they went on in si-$:
lence, the silence Of the river at night
broken only by the dip Of oars, the
cry Of a qua bird, or the startled retreat
of deer that had come down to the
water to drink VI 3
What 5ails you, lavender" Gerald
said, suddenly, the thongs of his self
disgust descending upon her innocent
h cad 49,