Mower County transcript., 1906-07-25
Lavender Creighton's
Lovers
By OLIVIA b. STROT1M
copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. Strohm). j..

ablaze. His mouth, usually curved in
a ready showing Of the white teeth
was set now, and hard. Near the door
| Mrs. Creighton stopped him: WHITTIER
bound, my friend?" she said lightly
| Then, as she scrutinized his face:
why, how solemn you look. Has any
thing happened?"
Winslow's brow cleared in an at.
| tempted smile. II am only grieving
that I am not that lucky cavalier on
Miss Lavender's right. Will you ask
her to save the last minuet for me?
Command her by your maternal au-
thority or I shall never get it,"
With this subterfuge he excused him
self and went on to the verandah, glad
to be alone.
Mrs. Creighton slipped along the edge
of the circle of dancers until she found
convenient chair in the embrasure
where Winslow had encountered the
soldiers She was in time to hear most
of the conversation that followed his
departure, and her quick wit OWNED
it's meaning. A duel! Then Charles
had given or received challenge No
matter which were the aggressor, there
was not time for blame of argument
A duel! She grasped the arm of the
chair for support. Then as the men
walked away, she sank to the seat with
the final words ringing in her ears,
my sword isn't rusty, and DANCED if
I don't prove it Tomorrow
"To-morrow! Then she had few
hours in which to act. But it might be
at sunrise. ''They usually select the
rise or set of sun for such unholy
rites,' she thought, with a shiver of
disdain. Her first impulse was to go
to Winslow, but that she discarded; he
would think her selfshly fearful lest
they lose protector; would believe
she was without zeal for his honor.
To him, then, she dared not appeal. To
his antagonist? Her own spirit rose
against the thought. The commander
Col. Mitchell, himself! To him she
must present the case, that he might
stop the dreadful hazard
In the pause between dances she
went up to Lavender.
Save the last minuet for Mr.. Wins
low, daughter" she commanded.
But, mother, he did not ask me for
it in time; am engaged to Lieut..
Crosby"
"Never mind, break the promise, and
when Mr.. Winslow returns to the room
remind him of his dance with YOU"
Then as the girl drew herself up in
naughty astonishment, II have an es-
pecial reason, dear, for wishing that he
remain in the ballroom through the
rest of the evening. Detain him if
you can"
She ended with look of meaning
which puzzled Lavender, and made ner
nervous and preoccupied for the re-
mainder of the dance
Mrs. Creighton at once sought cut
the commander, whom she found en-
jOying quiet bottle with some chosen
friends. The latter were, however. not
a whit disturbed at his departure, since
he left the decanters behind
Excusing himself, he joined Mrs.
Creighton in the anteroom
pardon the interruption, Col:
Mitchell; l want to consult you on an
important matter. I have just learned
that one of your officers-an aid, be-
Levels to fight duel tomorrow"
"A duel? The devil" roared the COL
onel. Then, Il beg pardon, ma am, but
what in-I mean what on earth are
they going to do that for? And VINO
are the fools that f1ght?"
The name of the officer l do not
know, but he is the one see frequent-
ly riding with you in the morning; ne
seems favorite of yours" she added,
wisely.
"West, I'll be bound. Why, d-n the
rascal, he's the only man on the staff
who can mix a toddy. Egad, l can't
part with West. And who's the other
d. fool? Er, l beg pardon, who is to
be his opponent"
my friend, Mr.. Winslow."
The colonel gave low whistle 'The
deuce you say! Is he good shot? Or
will they use swords?" he asked, car
ried away, in spite of discipline, by the
soldiers lust for fighting.
With shiver of disgust, Mrs.
Creighton replied, quickly:
with neither. l hope. rely upon you
for the honor of the garrison, no less
than for the sake of humanity, to stop
this miserable affair."
Yes. oh. yes-or course; it must not
be permitted; it shall not pruceed." he
declared, pompously, warming to a
sense of his own threatened dignity.
Mrs. Creighton told all she knew, add
ing: Il heard no particulars, and am
only sure of the one fact, that Mr.. Wins
low was the challenger, and that the
soldier-Mr. West, as you say, called
him spy. There was, probably, too,
some allusion to Aaron Burr, which nv
friend construed as an insult. CLEAN,
further, that this Mr.. West is suspicious
of our presence here at the fort. This
idea, groundless as it is, we must take
swift pains to remedy"
The last sentence, with it's slight
touch of hauteur, failed to impress the