The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-12-14
Lavender
|CreightOn'S
Lovers |
By OLIVIA B. STROHM
Copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. strOhm).
CHAPTER XXIIl.-CoNrINuEp.

and DracKen OF the TlVerSlue' O"o-
toga had given no hint of his direc-
tion-was it up or down the stream!
Down, he would have had to row
against the current, and past the vii
lage, with more show of detention.
Nevertheless, Winslow thought it more
likely that he had taken that course
Westward, was ever the Indian
watch-cry. and against the wave, Owa-
toga's giant strength would have less
chance of being overtaken. The pos
sibility of observation was small; 1t
had been a Sabbath day, and in the
heat of noon, when all would avoid the
river.
All this Owatoga had doubtless con-
sidered, thought Winslow, as he
tramped the waters edge up and down,
peering into every clump and shade.
His steps had led him well to the east,
when. suddenly halfway between the
water and a ferny coppice, he spled
something small and dark lying on the
sand. Mechanically he went to exam
inc it. and his heart beat like forge
as he recognized the black bag-the
silk trife she had worn at church the
previous day. He stood still for
moment, overcome by the feelings OF
relief and tenderness reused in him by
this inanimate thing-this bit of silk
that had dangled from her waist.
He raised it from the damp, sandy
bed as though it were sacred, fondling
touch of it, rushed over him, too,
sense of its practical value! Here
was proof of her presence on this spot;
then Owatoga had brought her here
he was on the right track at last!
Folding the bag, he was about to
stow it in his pocket, when from 1t
dropped a yellow envelope; he. stopped
to regain tit was his own. In her
possession this note, which causing
his presence in the forest on that fatal
night, had caused all the tangle of dis
trust and suffering and apprehension
all the wretched coil. The sight of
the yellow paper filled him with dis
gust and to find the reminder of that
night in something of hers-to see it
in this dainty pocket which should hold
only delicate, clean and beautiful
things-he shivered, hurt in all his
finer feelings.
Replacing the letter, he put the bag
IN his knapsack, with little sigh,
then, as if throwing aside sentiment
for practical things, he looked care
fully about She had been hereof
that there was proof; but Owatoga had
mentioned two boats-where could the
other be?
His gaze fell upon a something which
looked like two ends of boards joined
together in a way that proved mans
handiwork. The boatl He made a
dash into the coppice, and from it
pulled light canoe. For one moment
he stood surveying it, in thankful, silent
ecstasy; then he pushed it from shore
and was out on the broad breast of the
Missouri.
For an idle moment the boat swung
with the current; the man at the oars
let it drift-up or down? While he
hesitated, the sun rose from a grove
Of trees beyond the bend of the river.
1t pointed long fingers of light straight
up the stream, and notes dancing in
Its rays, beckoned him to follow.
IAN omen!" he exclaimed, in sud-
den burst of boyish enthusiasm, and
straight against the current he head
ed the boat.
Westward we go" he said, playfully,
giving rein to the new buoyancy.
Follow at your leisure" and he waved
his hand to the sun, which now burnt
q huge copper globe on the horizon.
1t was yet early day when he rowed
past the village-drowsy still with the
sloth of the previous Sabbath. The
few who were stirring, took no care to
blink through the fog at the solitary
figure in the boat toiling up stream.
And hard work it was! Even the
Indians strength had felt the strain,
and to this man, weakened by illness,
whose powers of endurance were rath-
er of nerve than Drawn, it was effort
indeed. Yet, buoyed by the hope that
had sprung in his heart at sight of
the gracious souvenir of her presence,
he toiled on, scanning each change in
the outline of shore. anxious for the
first sight of swamp and grove of tam
cracks. He felt almost sure it would
be on the northern bank; Owatoga had
given no hint to cross the river. Be
sides, many of the Usage tribe were
scattered to the north, and it was like
ly he would choose the hunting
grounds of his own people.
An hour or two at noon. he put ashore
at the foot of a poplar-crowned bluff,
then on-until, with the fiercest blaze
of the afternoon sun scorching his tired
back, the grove of tamaracks came in
sight Its dense, swampy shade lured
him with promises Of delicious COOL
ness-here, too. was another link in
the chain which was leading him to
her. At the thought his tagging
strength revived; his aching arms fell
new vigor. and with a dozen stout
sweeps of the oar, he landed at a
-