The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-11-02


ever vague, for the strangers pres
ence there. Besides, had he not killet
Sues father? The recollection OF hi
sweetheart's grief, quite, for the moment
overbalanced whatever of personal gail
there might be to him in the taking-of
of this old hunchback, whose murder
GUS intent had nearly cost life. The
deed was done; Jabez was dead, and by
Winslow's hand. Steeled by these
thoughts, he allowed Gonzaga's sophis-
try to convince him that silence was
best.
The first faint crimson of early dawn
threw long bars over the horizon,
piercing the river fog until it seemed a
mantle woven by the sun from the dew
of roses.
YEARLY the two climbed from the
boat and walked with laggard step the
forest way to the clearing above.
To their surprise, the cabin was light
ed, and the household astir. AS their
steps sounded on the gravel path, Amer
lea came to the door, her bony fig
ure framed against the candle-lit wall.
go Gawd's sake! Whar yall been?
Come quick, yo' ma"
Lavender rushed past the trembling
servant into the room.
On his knees by the bed wherein her
mother lay in stupor knelt her father,
and all the rebellion of this young, un-
tanned soul rose in revolt against his
prayer. She heard the words:
Strength to bear it," "Thy rod and
Thy staff, they comfort me-" and an
guish contended with fierce, unreason-
ing anger.
Father. father" she cried. do some
thing! Don't pray for comfort, II she
dies! She shall not die!"
Turning to Gerald, who stood by in
mute distress, she sent him for the doc
tor. ''The one on the st. Louis road
he who was once a preacher. Quick!"
She rubbed the limp, cold hands with
all the vigor of her passionate youth.
She tried to rouse the sinking woman
with tempest of words; words of en-
dearment of pleading, of fond Gliding.
America, tears furrowing the brow of
her drawn face, whispered; She's been
out n her head all night, honey, and now
it pears like she don know nothin'.
Yer pa an me, we done all we could,
but 'peared like it warn't no uset."
THAT is where you are wrong, Amer
lea; it is always use to have hope; it
is wrong to give up and pray, instead
of fight" Then, as she saw the old
woman's look of shocked reproach, she
added, more softly: COR if you pray
pray for help, not comfort
She stroked her fathers head, tender
ly. Forgive me, Dad, don't know
what I'm saying. My mind is whirl,
and only one thought stands out in
the maze. Mother must not-must not |
leave us. We couldn't bear that could |
we, Dad?" For a moment her spirit
gave way, and she cried miserably on
her fathers shoulder.
Then, rallying quickly: go to bed,
now, and trust to America and me. The
doctor and Gerald will come soon"
Crushed and worn with the night of
watching, Mr.. Creighton staggered out
of doors to the stairway that led above.
But first he stopped over the bed to
kiss the unresponsive lips. A faint
sigh was his reward.
See, Lavender, a good sign. Perhaps
you have brought her out of the valley,
my brave child"
The sun was high when Gerald re-
turned with the doctor.
When Lavender went to greet them,
the light dazzled her, and she stag
gered as she led the way to the sick
room.
When, later, she followed the doctor
out to where the pony waited, and
asked his opinion timidly, he said:
The case is grave one, but there is
no sense in giving up. The fever is
what the people here call the season
ing, and is apt to follow the change
to this climate. Your mother was in
the swamp-lands, too l understand,
near the Mississippi, and that was
bad for her. Her case is unusually
severe, but with care she may recover
at least, enough to bear the journey
nome"
Lavender started at the unexpected
urn of the sentence. "'The journey
she echoed, in amazement.
Yes, back east, back to her old
lone. | am sure this climate will
lever agree with her. She may re-
,over temporarily from this attack,
sufficiently to bear the trip home. !
That, in my judgment, is the best you
AN expect"
Then he took his leave saying he
would call again, "and often until we !,
oull her through" he said, encour-
lgingly.
Returning, Lavender found America .
It the bedside. ,
you lay down, and git some res,
honey, I'll watch yer ma"
But it was long before the teeming
,rain could find relief in sleep. The
narrowing hours of the past night !.
we're torture to be lived over again
With each closing OF the burning eye
ids. She saw again the litter borne
n the alley of smoking brands, she 1
,aard tba efaly x,Ao-, 80.