The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-11-09
Lavender
|CreightOn's
~ Lovers
By OLIVIA B. sTRoHM
- S.
Copyright, 1906, by Olivia B. strOhm).
CHAPTER XVII.-CoNTINUED.


error-weak, too, and i'll as she was.
Another trick of fate to aid him.
His quick wit saw the possible advan-
tage for him in the role of the favored
Winslow. And Lavender had not
heard her mothers words; she need
not know that he spoke in other char
acter
Louder this time, and for the bene-
fit of the listening girl, he said: Per
haps my halo is brightest because
bring good news. We are trying to
arrange for your return home; do you
want to go?"
The thin face, outlined in perfect
profile against the pillow, relaxed IN
smile of infantine sweetness; the eyes
glowed with eagerness as though be-
hind each a tiny cresset burned. But
the spark went out as, quick upon
the heels of delight, came the sense
of duty-the habit of sacrifice.
81 cannot leave the rest" she muir
INJURED.
And what if they go too? what II
you all go home together"
"Ah, that would be the answer to
prayer"
"And you will get we'll faster II we
promise to take you back"
She nodded slowly, with perfect
trust and a happy sigh of content, and
then sank again to the pillow.
During this dialogue, Lavender had
drawn closer, standing tense and up
right against the wall, her ears
strained for the words which seemed
freighted with a new, strange mean
ing.
AS Gonzaga pronounced the pronoun
"we," she gave an involuntary start,
and took a step nearer But before
she could speak, Gonzaga, anxious to
close the interview while yet it re-
bounded to his favor, bowed over Mrs.
Creighton's hand and withdrew.
Lavender followed him past the SEN
tinel on the threshold, who moved
readily enough this time, to let the OBJ
noxious visitor pass out. At the open
ing of the irregular row of stones
which served as fence, they paused.
Lavender was the first to break ST.
lence. "Was it right to raise mothers
hopes with such definite promise
1t will be all the harder to disappoint
her."
"Why must she be disappointed?
There is way"
She was not looking directly into
his eyes, or she must have read their
message. Her own were upon the
sumach bushes opposite, saving their
cardinal glory for a later day when
they alone, might shine in a brown
and barren wood.
She shook her head There is no
way. Father has tried to sell the farm,
meeting only ridicule where men may
have land for the asking. The work,
so far, has added little to the value.
You see, we hare figured it out prac-
tically," she ended with a sigh, add
ing: AT great expense we came-we
have no way to return"
Except with me-"
At his words, she gave him startled
glance and then-her eyes slowly
dropped before his, as she realized
his meaning.
He was bending close, his look de-
vouring her, as if with the very force
of his passion he could bend her will
to his.
In the long pause which followed
Lavender had time to regain self
possession, and her voice was calm
now. almost cold: Am l, then, to I'M
derstand that you will take my
mother back home if l will marry
you?"
Her matter-offact tone and man
ner for a moment chilled his ardor
Did his offer appear to her only in
the light of a cold-blooded PROPOSE
ton? Could he not make her desire
It too?
His heart sank as he read the an
swer in her eyes-cold, blue and clear
like violets buried in glacier.
But again the old recklessness con
sumed him; she was cold. but she wa:
beautiful.
THAT is my offer, fair one, YOU
mothers comfort-ner life, perhaps
may be saved; it rests with you"
Then suddenly another argument
occurred to him. 81 may say withou
vanity that seem to have found favol
In your mothers sight. You will ad
NIT the cordially of her manner to
night? Again l say. it rests with you.
A curious jay peeped and twitteret
at them from a dead larch near. Sh'
watched the bird soar away like /;
fash of blue fame, then said: ''Yol
say it rests with me, and in the sam,
breath declare it to be her wish. Tha
is a paradox, senior. since her wisl
must ever be my law
She paused a moment, then added
dreamily: Il wonder if this offer o
yours is an answer to prayer? Nay
hear ra to the end. For my mother