Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-07-25
fair, hand-to-hand night; you are

manded, Il, myself, Will return this
sword to your superior Officer. The
man who insults women is unfit to
wear it,
Paralyzed, less by fear than amaze
ment and chagrin at being worsted in
bloodless encounter with one he
thought 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 hecking
the dust from it, said:
Il am very much obliged to you,
sir"
"The pleasure is mine; 1 was fortu-
nate in being here"
1.-THE trial, then, is over?"
"As farce it began; as q farce it
ended. I 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 day. that q
trifle more does not NATTER
Her voice was very near to tears.
Then, quickly recovering: Cali this
time, Mr.. Winslow, I have the advan-
tage. You do not know my name; I 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?'
Il call her so; 1t is, however, the
privilege of friendship only. We are old
and dear friends. My mother and l
have been staying with her this winter.
We are en- route to the west-to the
new territory, and were waiting for
good weather the spring-to con-
tinue the journey. 1t seems now" she
added, with a little catch of breath,
that we are to go on regardless of the
season. The law waits no mans 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 tie
stove while she hustled about getting
dinner, and this informal introduction
into the family affairs delighted the
guest, but Lavender apologized.
II fear this is a 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 a wide BERTH"
busting a foury chair for him, she
placed it before him with 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 beautifed by the
eyes, large, dark and full of purpose.
The stranger rose. my name is
Winslow,' he said simply. land I have
the honor to present credentials from
our distinguished leader, 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"
II do, madam, and a dozen stout
hearts bear me company"
He then briefly detailed the opposi-
ton they had met with
But the comic affair was soon over,
and we are again free to proceed
There was no show of warrant for our
detention.''
"Can you imagine, sir, by what ;ea-
son we are submitted to such out
rages?''
ut is, indeed, more than I can IN
derstand. Until our mock trial of TO-
day I had no knowledge of any suspi-
cion against the character of our I'M
dertaking, it's chief, or those engaged
in 1t. AS peaceful citizens under the
flag we reached your island, intending
to join in the settlement Of new lands
in the southwest. Call us pioneers
soldiers of fortune-what you will, out
traitors-ah, it is too absurd"
Then, more seriously, he added: Il
am in the dark as to the specific
charges. It appears, however, that
Col. Burr and your husband are sus-
pected of design to overthrow the ex-
listing government and set up another
in some vague part of the south. l
cannot account for all this farrago of
nonsense and quibbles, except on the
score of political intrigue. And mcst
of us are helpless to fight that"
Then you are not politician?" the
lady asked, smiling at the warmth of
his manner.
"No, madam, God save the mark!
am an emigrant-a homeseeker."
There was lull; she looked about
the deSecrated room
Il deeply grieve, sir, that have no
hospitality to grant-no home. MIR.
Blennerhasset went away two nights
ago. He 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 the
| 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 coun-
ty, and they must carry out his orders
to stop our reasonable designs Mr.
Blennerhasset foresaw this. and we
had arranged that was to- follow in
our family boat to the mouth Of the