Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-13

1eS, l n2d 10 come 10 town CO-Qdy to do some trading, and I wanted to see you, too. I am anxious to know if MT. Winslow and Senor Gonzaga went on the relief expedition in aid of Col Boone?"
 The octoroon said yes. and remained silent.
 Nothing more was said for mo- ment. Lavender was having fierce battle with her pride.
 " Should she ask questions of this woman? Should she reveal to her interest in things which her inmost heart should keep sacred? Yet. after all. it was little to ask; if possible she would be spared further torture of <, suspense.
 So she said. abruptly: ''It has al- ways seemed strange to me that MT winslow came here so suddenly-in SC mysterious way"
 Then, as the woman opened heI mouth to speak, T know. of course 1that he came in response to this note. sBut you did not write 1t: l wonder Nwho did?"
 She placed in the woman's hand the yellow envelope.
 The octoroon shook her head "No'm; but it was somebody who knew < he'd get into trouble if he went to that ! pollard willow where Sue Miller was to meet her-her beau" The name s$which trembled on her lips was not .Suttsred, as quick came the recollection sthat she must be silent. e.
 But to her amazement Lavender SUD- piled it. "Yes, I know" she said (for at last rumor had brought to her ears something of the story of Ger , aids intimacy with Sue Miller). "I know; to meet my brother. But who could have wanted MT. Winslow there?"
 That don't know, least it was some enemy who thought he'd get into trou- ble. The branch-water man had threatened to kill your-Mr. Gerald, and so anybody around there in the dark was likely to-"
 But Lavender interrupted with a sharp cry: No, no; it coulc not have been that. He-Mr. Winslow-has no enemy who would be so-so guilty"
 She spoke with touch of hauteur which subdued the woman. She ar gued now, instead: Well, maybe it was somebody who wanted you to think MT. Winslow was in love with Sue. That wouldn't have been so bad, :" she concluded. for she saw that for the s first motive the young woman had no temper.
 No, n--, that wouldn't have been 90 bad" Lavender repeated, half to herself.
 But the sickening suspicion over came her, and she sank to the seat and rested her hot cheek against the. soft, cool vine.
 At that moment there was a sound of muffied voices, and down the road . a film of sandy dust whitened the trees.
 "They have come back" and, united in their common anxiety, the maid and woman rushed out awaiting the procession. ms
 It was coming slowly. Lavender's heart stood still to see how slowly. A dozen or more men trudged be- hind the unwieldy vehicle, which seemed to crawl after the isded mules At last the girls strained eyes alight- : ed upon straight figure. walking sturdily and unharmed by its side. Overpowered by the relief which sight of winslow brought. and shamed at excess of it. Lavender leaned against the wooden block. hands clasped and color mounting until her cheeks out. famed the salvia that edged the way with hem of scarlet
 owatoga hurried In advance. and strode to her side without a word. but with a variety of emotions wrinkliug bis usually impassive face.
 With a smile of greeting Lavender asked: You left Col. Boone. and ia he safe?"
 "He is safs-at home" the Indian responded.
 Then. with an inscrutab'e look and gesture toward the covered wagon. he added: And the white maid IS safe now"
 Without further explanation. he passed on down the road.
 By this time the procession was halt ed near the tavern. and the crowd dis rersed--mosily within the hostelry. The octoroon had only time for a hearty word for Charles, when she hurried within where her duties as hostess were eSgsrly sought by the thirsty travellers.
 Meanwhile. 10 Lavender's surprise, there was a constraint. a sadness in she response which Winslov and the preacher made to her congratulations. Charles bent so Iow that his breath swept her hand. and in his eyes was a fond greeting. but he glanced unessily toward the covered wagon. where Rev. Ballinger stood with lowered eyes. holding the curtains close. as if on guard over something within.
 Nobody spoke. and the silence filled Lavender with vague alarm She had noted the absence of Gonzazs- 4 sharp suspicion seizsd her. ''Is some body inside the vasonz- she de- manded.
 Sudden. shriIl from behind the cur .ssas came the answer. T am wait ing Where Is she--
 The voice. familiar. ye, 90 weak. 90 unlike it's natural tone of command. made her numb with dread. But pity