Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-12-20
Lavender
Lovers
BY OLIVIA 3. srRoHn
lcopyrisht. 1905. ,, DIN. 3. strohpa
oHAPTER xIII.-coSr1NuEp.


CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTrNUED.
And Gerald had muttered an AFFECT
apology. The sum was not triding to
him; he could not obtain 1t If lick
should turn through the means which
had lost it.
Il am very sorry, Senior, but l can
not confess a gambling debt to my
father; nor has he the money to pay
1t. Give me more time, and the cards
will win for me; my luck will turn; it
must" There was a feverish light in
his eye-embarrassment clogged his
tongue.
Patting him cordially on the Shout
der, the Spaniard said: Excuse my
reminding you, sir; 1t is especially IN
wise of me to trouble one who can be
- such service to me-"
At the suave manner Of his creditor
Abe youth took courage. Service to
you? How?"
you will be at the dance tomorrow
night? You will bring your sister,
Miss Lavender"
A light flashed on Gerald's mind.
Lavender? / don't believe she in
tended coming, but II"
He paused, and Gonzaga assisted him
with telling emphasis. "But you, per-
haps, can arrange it? You will try?"
Certainly II you-if she-perhaps
she would enjoy it." stammered Gerald.
II will try to bring her with me"
do so, and-.worry no more about
that other little matter"
So 1t was that Gerald had urged
Lavender to go to the party. He had
assured her that 1t was her duty to
mingle more with these honest village
folk, ard his sister, nothing 10th, prom
Used.
And to the merry-making she mad
come, looking, in her best holiday at
tire, like a bit Of Dresden china in this
homely collection Of pottery.
In the game Of King William, the
Spaniard chose Lavender from the cir
Gle, and together they stepped to the
center. Around them, joining hands,
swung the romping crowd.
"Down on this carpet you must kneel,
AS sure as grass grows in the field;
Salute your bride and kiss her sweet,
Now you may rise upon your feet"
The precedent had been established
blushing cheeks had been lifted, pretty
lips raised to the rough and bristling
faces whose ~.resounding smacks echoed
to shouts Of laughter. Or, rumpied
frocks and tousled hair were the af-
fects Of resistance which, If sometimes
made, was faint-hearted, and only a bit
Of coquetry adding flavor to the final
forfeit.
Therefore, when Lavender and the
Spaniard held the attention, there was
q lutter of suspense, Of eager curiosity
on the part of the onlookers. How
would this dainty maid behave? Or
how this foreigner, who was evidently
q sutton?
Gonzaga knelt beside her, handsomer
than ever in this romantic situation,
with the red blood mantling through
the olive skin. He was straight and
long-limbed, with the strain of the
cavaliers in his naughty beauty.
And, dropping a little under his ex-
pressive gaze, Lavender hummed The
tune half to herself, her heels clicking
the floor in time to the violin. But at
the words:
Salute your bride and kiss her sweet
she raised her eyes to his with a proud
denial. An instant the man hesitated,
then, obedient to her unspoken com
mand, he helped her to rise. AS she
was bowling to rejoin the circle, he
caught her hand in a warm pressure
and held 1t to his lips. A murmur OF
laughter greeted this, which the more
favored youths present regarded as q
signal defeat.
When the game wal over there was
. rush for seats, some for the rude
benches which lined the wallis some
for the more inviting hooks outside.
Let us get a breath Of fresh air.
the Spaniard said, and led Lavender
TO the door.
Strings Of popcorn and peppers red
and green dangled cross the door.
posts, making fantastic shadows on the
ground.
There was no moon, but the stars
shone bright on the white-walled cab
ms dotting the groves, or the pawpaw
bushes and cottonwood trees along the
river. A pile Of stones formed a rude
fence, and upon this. bestowing bel
frippery carefully, Lavender perched
taking care to keep well within the
light from the barn door. For there
was that In har companions manner
which made her fear a private talk
In spite Of her precaution be began
ut is hard for me to keep my prom.
ise, you are SO charming tonight
This dress, with its fragrance Of a de-
1icious past. brings back all the court
Illness, the stately charm Of the grandt
dame which none has worn for me II
many a long day" He pressed between
his fingers the hem OF her skirt tina,
lay In folds about the stones on which
she sat.
Lavender laughed and said, turning
the subject from herself: q am glat
you admire the dress, Senior; it hal
quite q history; II was,
But he interrupted. "The gown Ii
only the added charm-the color Of tn,
rose its perfume, It's beauty, Is there
no matter In what petals. So 1t is no
the dress. It IS you. AT sight Of vol