The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-04
CHAPTER XVIII.

lue uOUT VI lie ldNeIu Sat DSlie, tuS
octoroon humming an old song as
her foot rose and fell in time to the
| treadle.
There was step upon the path, and
soft skirts brushed the shrubbery, but,
intent upon the fax which her def
fingers guided from distaff to flyer, the
spinner heard nothing until a voice
at her side called: Good afternoon,
Belle; it is pity to interrupt you.
see you improve each shining hour"
The woman jumped with alacrity to
greet Lavender, and, bringing chair,
said: "Im honored, sure enough, Miss
Creighton, and the wheel can watt
Gracefully dropping to the seat,
Lavender placed a large basket on
the ground, and waved her big hat
across her face. rosy from brow to
chin with the midday heat.
1T was very warm on the road, but
how cool and nice under this trellis."
She picked a blossom of the cucum-
Der vine that grew above, and the
stir of leaves brought feathery
shower about her, all fragrant green
and white.
"Yes'm. it's real nice. Mr. Winslow
fixed the vines SOS it would be
shady"
1T was good of him to take the
trouble" Then, looking directly into
the octoroon's eyes, Lavender went on:
ut was about Mr. Winslow that
wanted to speak to you to-day"
The quick smile, the evident pleas
ure in her listeners every feature, was
reward enough for the condescension.
about him? About Mr. Winslow?'
Eyes, had to come to town to-day
to do some trading, and | wanted to
see you, too. | am anxious to know If
Mr.. Winslow and Senior Gonzaga went
on the relief expedition in aid of Col
Boomer"
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, 1t was little to ask; il possible she
would be spared further torture of
suspense.
So she said, abruptly: ut has al
ways seemed strange to me that Mr..
Winslow came here so suddenly-in so
mysterious way"
Then, as the woman opened her
mouth to speak, 81 know, of course,
that he came in response to this note.
But you did not write it.: wonder
who did?"
She placed in the woman's hand the
yellow envelope.
The octoroon shook her head |
Nom; but it was somebody who knew
ned get into trouble if he went to that
pollard willow where Sue Miller was
o meet her-her beau" The name
which trembled on her lips was not
Uttered, as quick came the recollection
hat she must be silent.
But to her amazement Lavender sup
,lied it. Eyes, l know" she said
for at last rumor had brought to her
,ars something of the story of Ger
lids intimacy with Sue Miller. Il
Know; to meet my brother. But who
,ould have wanted Mr.. Winslow
here?"
THAT l don't know, least it was some
nemy who thought he'd get into trou-
lie. The branch-water man had
threatened to kill your-Mr. Gerald,
md so anybody around there in the
lark was likely to-"
But Lavender interrupted with
harp cry: mo, no; it could not have
'een that. He-Mr. Winslow-has no
nemy who would be $3.50 guilty"
She spoke with a touch of hauteur
which subdued the woman. She ar I
,ued now, instead well, maybe it
vas somebody who wanted you to
hink Mr.. Winslow was in love with
iue. That wouldn't have been so bad"
he concluded, for she saw that for the
rst motive the young woman had no
emper.
mo, n, that wouldn't have been
o bad" Lavender repeated. half to
erself.
But the sickening suspicion over
anne her, and she sank to the seat
nd rested her hot cheek against the
oft, cool vine.
At that moment there was sound
{ muffled voices, and down the road
film of sandy dust whitened the
rees.
''They have come back" and, united
4 their common anxiety, the maid
nd woman rushed out awaiting the
recession.
II was coming slowly. Lavender's
cart stood still to see how slowly.
A dozen or more men trudged be-
ind the unwieldy vehicle, which I
semed to crawl after the jaded mules. :
I last the girls strained eyes alight- Il
d upon a straight figure, walking |
Iurdily and unframed by its side.
by the relief which sight
I Winslow brought, and shamed at {
xcess of It, Lavender leaned against .
he wooden block, hands clasped and .
-, -,,ounffurr until hor choafro o.,t i,