Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-11-07
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER Xxx.
A warm afternoon was drawing to
a close. Clouds banked the western
sky, dark as with the smoke of bat
tie, while from their crimson lining
bristled spears of gold.
On the river skiff shot between
ruf1es of foam. Two men sat in the
boat; one dark as the water he cleft
with feathered oar, the others pale
profile sharply outlined against the
bluffs beyond. Over one shoulder
was flung cape which the wearer
adjusted from time to time as though
its weight were burden. But his
manner was alert, eager, and he
scanned the shore with earnest eyes.
$50 this is the place, Owatoga," he
said, and scarcely waited for the keel
to scrape the sand before his foot
touched shore.
in sight of the cabin, it appeared de-
serted; only a thin curl of smoke
beckoned invitingly, and the weather
vane bobbed a welcome.
At last familiar figure came from
back of the cabin. America" and
tation. The old womans eyes in the
uncertain light glittered like those of
a cat; then, recognizing him, she
smiled, and there was unctuous de-
light in her hearty: "You-Mars Wins
low? Fo' Gawd's sake!"
To
damp fingers responded with the I'M
certain hold of one not accustomed to
the action.
Il 'spicioned I heern the gravel
scrunch; my years is sharp yit. Use
tur'ble glad to see yo', Mars Winslow
I kin O. feared yo' might o. disremem-
bered us all by dis time.''
She had gone forward to meet them,
:. and as they reached the house: LES
be right STILL" she cautioned; "'cause
missy done fell to sleep. Sposin' we
set out hyar awhile" and she brought
chairs under the tiny framework over
the door, from which a honeysuckle
vine flung ample shade.
"De folks is all gone of somewhars,
Mars Creighton, an de young man
TUX n went to town to do some tradin'.
Missy Lavvy jes' toted of to get some
fresh ar. She'll be back immejit."
Thus the old negress rambled on,
including even Owatoga in this gra-
cious reception.
Winslow spoke little, fearing to
break the spell which held him in en-
chantment all the more alluring, that
he knew it could not last. Silently he
drank in the delicious languor of a
young midsummer night. A breeze
blew from the river, heavy with the
perfume of poisoning locust trees,
where birds scolded and chaffed : in
wide-awake preparation for slumber.
Clear, close, comforting hung the
sky, where the bold stars came early
out, though light yet glowed in the
=; wake of the sun. It soothed Winslow
to think that this was her home-this
sweetness of summer, Of bird and tree
and blossom. It was all hers, and she
the fairy princess Of this enchanted
: wood. r.: 49, : III W ~ 7 Z :. e: f. +.
=. And SO, indeed, she seemed, when
Il from the copse beyond she came, her
arms filled with q pungent weed that
!. gave forth q spicy aromatic ,odor. e :Of
Il slender, ethereal beauty, in her light
muslin; dress; against the dark trees,
she moved like q will-o' 1.-THE zwisp, and
5z5Winslow had wished she might longer
hover there the real woman Of hesh
y and blood had power to \, wound I to
4 crush him; h rather would he sit thus
q and gaze upon this sprite, this lady ootf
u the green. : + .,s@ IS= s5$,5 "a;
Americas ahomely 1exc lamat Ion r.
Il called him. 4. Il, 81: I aim plum glad
Il she's got dat stun keep Il 81 W :de
Nsskeeters! II and knows We need *it!
SHurr: up, iss LLaVvy, icomrp'ny''a
Il Il AZ }thef Girl qutckenled her pace and
4 uttered the clearin Owatoga a I'd:
vance Sto meet 55fher,, wi til stately ma
tive courtegy 4snre 4 of hen. sweet g
q. and looked
,gpastsIS Han Wiitt asW fore knaKl;
5Seidg vlhD II shout