Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-03-14
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
 Woman's intuition often far out
 strips the slower mental process of
 the other sex. The mother who hns
 to see beloved daughters silent
 suffering, well-knowing another gir. to be, however indirectly, the cause of it, sees all manner of other iniqui- ties in that other girl Kind, chari- table and gentle was Mrs. Dade, a wise mother, too, as we'll as most loving, but she could look with neither kindness nor charity on Miss Flower. She had held her peace; al lowed no word of censure or criti- cism to escape her when the women were discussing that young lady; but all the more vehement was her dis trust, because thus pent up and re- pressed. With the swiftness of femi- nine thought, for no man had yet suspected, she fathomed the secret of the traders sudden going; and, carried away by the excitement of the 1 moment and the belief that none but her husband could hear, she made that startling announcement. And her intuition was unerring. Nanette Flower was indeed gone.
 Yet for nearly an hour she stood alone in her conviction. Her hus- band quickly cautioned silence, and, going forth, gave instructions to the couriers that sent them speeding for the Rawlins.. road. But at seven o'clock, Mrs. Hay herself appeared and asked to see the general, who was taking at the moment his ac- customed bracer, tonic and stimulant the only kind he was ever known to use--a cold bath. So it was to Mrs. Dade, in all apparent frankness and sincerity, the traders wife began her tale. Every one at Frayne well knew that her anxiety as to the outcome of the battle on the Elk had well-nigh equaled that of the wives and sweet hearts within the garrison. While her niece, after the first day's excite ment, kept to her room, the aunt went fitting from house to house. full of sympathy and suggestion, but obviously more deeply concerned than they had ever seen her. Now, she seemed worried beyond words at thought of her husbands having to go just at this time. It was mainly on Nanette's account, she said. Only last night, with the mail from Lara mic, had come letter, posted in San Francisco the week before, telling Miss Flower that her dearest friend and roommate for four years at school, who had been on an extended bridal tour, would pass through Raw lins, eastward bound, on Fridays train, and begging Nanette to meet her and go as far at least as Chey- enne. Her husband, it seems, had been hurriedly recalled to New York, and there was no help for it. Nanette had expected to join her, and go all the way east in late October or early November; had given her promise, in fact, for she was vastly excited by the news, and despite headache and lassitude that had oppressed her for two days past, she declared she must go, and Uncle Will must take her. So, with only a small trunk, hastily packed, of her belongings. and an iron-bound chest of the traders. the two had started before dawn in Uncle Bills stout blackboard, behind his famous four-mule team, with Pete to drive. and two sturdy ranchmen as outriders, hoping to reach the Medi- cine Bow by late afternoon. and rest at Brenner's ranch Confdentially. Mrs. Hay told Mrs. Dade that her husband was glad of the excuse to take the route up the Platte instead of the old. rough trail southeastward over the mountains to Rock creek. for he had a large sum in currency to get to the bank. and there were desperadoes along the mountain route who well knew he would have to send that money in. and were sure ly on the lookout to wsylsy him-or it. Ever since pay day two or three rough characters had been hanging about the store. and Hay suspected they were watching his movements. with the intention of getting word to their comrades in crime the moment he started. and ft vas almost as much to steal . march on them ss to oblire Nanette. he % willingly left before it was light The RsvIins road fol lowed the Platte valley all the way to Brprrer'ss and. once th>re. he wouH feel safe. whereas the Rock creek trzl wound throzeh gaIch. rzvine and forest most of the dfsts.-e. s@ordizg many q chance for smbuscz5e- Of cosrse. said Mrsl Hay. if her h1sbend lad for . moment szpPosed the se.- er.1 ro1I1 ~ish to see hin. he vozd rot have foi<. .1iErr. wifh i'd c