Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-03-07


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 a feathery
shower about her, all fragrant green
and white.
"Yes'm, fits real nice. Mr.. Winslow
fixed the vines SOS 1t would be
shady"
ut was good Of him to take the
trouble" Then, looking directly into
the octoroon's eyes, Lavender went on:
at was about Mr.. Winslow that I
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 him2 About Mr.. Winslow?"
"Yes, I had to come to town to-day
to do some trading, and I wanted to
see you, too. q am anxious to know II
Mr.. winslow end Senior Gonzaga went
on the relief expedition in aid Of Col.
Boomer"
The octoroon said yes, and remained
silent.
Nothing more was said for a mo-
ment. Lavender was having a fierce
battle with her pride.
Should she ask questions Of this
woman? Should she reveal to her
interest in things which her Utmost
heart should keep sacred? Yet, after
all, it was little to ask; II possible she
would be spared further torture of
suspense.
So she said, abruptly: "It has all
ways seemed strange to me that Mr..
Winslow came here so suddenly-in so
mysterious a 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 1t 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
which trembled on her lips was not
uttered, as quick came the recollection
that she must be silent.
But to her amazement Lavender sup.
piled 1t. Eyes, l know" she said
(for at last rumor had brought to her
ears something Of the story of Ger
AIDS intimacy with Sue Miller. 81
know; to meet my brother. But who
could have wanted Mr.. Winslov
there?"
"That I don't know, least it was some
enemy who thought he'd get into trou
BILE. The branch-water man hat
threatened to kill your-Mr. Gerald
and so anybody around there in thu
dark was likely to"
But Lavender interrupted with &
sharp cry: mo, no; it could not have
been that. He--Mr. Winslow-has nc
enemy who would be $3.50 guilty"
She spoke with a touch of hauteul
which subdued the oman She ar.
gued now, instead: well maybe il
was somebody who wanted you tt
think Mr.. Winslow was in love will
Sue. That wouldn't have been sc bad,
she concluded, for she saw that for thu
first motive the young woman had NJ
temper.
"No, n, that wouldn't have beef
so bad" Lavender repeated, half t.
herself.
But the sickening suspicion over
came her, and she sank to the sea
and rested her hot cheek against tn
soft, cool vine.
At that moment there was a sount
of muf1ed voices, and down the roa'
a film Of sandy dust whitened tn
trees.
"They have come back" and, unite
in their common anxiety, the mai
and woman rushed out awaiting tn
. procession.
It was coming slowly. Lavender
!, heart stood still to see how slowly.
, A dozen or more men trudged be
) hind the unwieldy vehicle, whic
seemed to crawl after the jaded mules
: At last the girls strained eyes alight
, ed upon a straight figure, walkin
!, sturdily and unframed by its side
Overpowered blythe relief which sigh
of Winslow brought, and shamed q
excess of it, Lavender leaned agains
the wooden block, hands clasrsd an
color mounting until her cheeks out
ao-oaJ %b1 coIrio that adcod fhn uo
! with a hem Of scarlet.
, Owatoga hurried in advance, an
strobe to her side without a word, bu
with a variety Of emotions wrinkljn
! his usually impassive face.
With a smile Of greeting Lavende
asked: "You left Col. Boone, and !
!, he safe?"
"He is safe-at home" the India
responded.
Then, with an i~nscrutable look an
gesture toward the covered wagon, h
, added: "And the white maid is SAT
now"
Without further explanation, h
passed on down the road.
]. BY this time the procession was halt
. ed neal the tavern, and the crowd dis
:, persed-mostly within the hostelry
The ~octoroon had only time for
hearty word for Charles, when sh
hurried within where her duties a
hostess we're eagerly sought by tn
!, thirsty travellers.
Meanwhile, to Lavender's surprise
there was a constraint, a sadness |
: !. the response which Winslow and tn
: preacher made to her congratulations
7 Charles bent so low that his brest
! swept her hand, and in his eyes was
y foud Urnatiru hyif ba u1ouood ,fnoaciI