The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-08-10

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America sent him sprawling back, his
body spanning the PROSTATE statue.
His companions staggered to the res
cue as the ruffian arose ,uttering vol
ley of oaths.
"You black she-devil!" he roared,
with clenched fist raised, "I'll teach
you manners"
But Just then a voice said: Better
learn them first, my man." and a
slight, but muscular frame was inter-
posed between the women and their
assailants. The girl gave a scream
half of fright, half of relief, as she
recognized the gentleman who had led
the strangers this morning-he who
had introduced himself as Winslow.
At assistance from this unexpected
quarter, the other soldiers retreated
through the shrubbery, leaving their
leader alone to face the indignant res
cuer.
Half soDered at the situation, but
too angry for caution, the bully drew
sword and made lunge at Winslow
"a thrust unsteady and weak. Wins
low easily parted it with his cane,
but as he did so, the lace ruffles of.his
shirt fell over a wrist white as wom-
ans. At the sight of it's delicacy his
opponent laughed contemptuously:
81 never fight milksops; get home to
your mother" and he turned to go.
But, angered now, Winslow barred
the way. you would draw upon an
unarmed man, but you sneak out of a
fair, hand-to-hand fight; you are
coward"
The man made sudden dash for
him, which, however, Winslow evaded
by an agile turn. Then, before the fell
low could rally his sodden senses,
Winslow knocked him down, and
snatched up his sword. Thus armed he
faced his opponent. "Go!" he COM
manded, 81, 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
a 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 fiecking
the dust from it, said:
81 am very much obliged to you,
sir"
1.-THE pleasure is mine; I was fortu-
nate in being here"
"The trial, then, is over?"
GAS farce 1t began; as 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 that a
trife 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 hand, adding: "You
must forgive my not sooner summon
ing my aunt; she has but just returned
from Marietta"
"Then Mrs. Blennerhasset is your
aunt?"
81 call her so; it 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-for the spring-to con-
tinue the journey. 1t seems now" she
added, with a little catch of breath,
chat 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.
81 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 wide BERTH"
busting 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. land 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 l ask, then, if
you come to join the expedition"
81 do, madam, and a dozen stout