Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-09-19

brought her back to him. NO." she
declared, II am not sure that I be.
lieve in love at all''
Ignoring her speech, he went on !:
There is southern flower that, in a
night, throws all its great heart bare.
So my love for you had it's being"
"And so in night it will de- Law
ender tried to speak lightly, but she
could not meet his ardent gaze. In.
stead, her own followed with dismay
the starry track ever widening between
her and the shore.
1T will never die, cara mia, it will
live always, and from it's roots shall
spring another-your love for me- Is
it not so?" he leaned toward her; his
senses swimming in passion for this
girl in whose fair face was reflected all
the crystal OF moonlN wave and sky.
For the first time in this mans career,
something he ardently desired seemed
out of reach. Gold he had won and
| lost as easily-land and fame had
cheaply bartered for song-a smile.
But this maid, half child half woman,
with at once the purity of moonbeams
and rare, earthly witchery about her,
had suddenly become for him the one
thing worth striving for.
| From my love shall spring another
yours for me. Is it not 500"
| 81 do not think so, senior. I am
too modest to believe in the strength
of your feeling for me. 1t will die
before mine can have birth. No, no."
she commanded, as he was about to
| speak, II cannot listen; IL am not
ready now. I thank you for your
love, if it be love-I do not know"
she ended, dreamily.
''Then, ignoring his ardent Interrupt
ton: II am not ready to hear Of love
II do not want it."
Her earnest, yet matter-of-fact tone
maddened him, and he blurted out:
''You do not want it? But there is
| another love that you do want-the
| love Of spy, traitor!"
! She met his blazing eyes with a
| look Of cold disdain "You talk in rid
dies, senor."
"A riddle you can easily read, lady.
! but if you prefer, I shall construe it.
You deny me, only to give your love
| to that other, the champion of bold en-.
| terprise which counts for it's success
upon the dismemberment of great
republic This conspirator against the
flag for which the blood spilled is
scarcely dried-this brave knight-er-
rant Of the gaming table-this-"
mo more, sir! Did you, then, bring
me out to listen to insult of my friends
For that you traduce Mr.. Winslow, I
can no longer doubt. fear, Senior
Gonzaga, that the flower which was to
| bear the fruit of love requited, will but
nourish the parasite of hate
| Calming himself quickly. "Forgive
me-" he pleaded, "but as all is fair in
love and war, so jealousy Of a rival is
not crime. That he is a successful
rival makes it all the harder"
"You presume much, senior. Mr.
Winslow is no mans rival where l
am concerned-he does not wish to be-
But that he is a true gentleman, and
an honest man, I am as sure as that
THIS water runs.
There was pause, while he took up
the oars. "Shall I row back to shore?"
he. asked, humbly.
If you please; we have been drift.
ing away"
"And drifting apart, LADY,"
She was silent. =
''You are cruel-you will forgive me?
Much should be forgiven love like
mine."
His voice was a yearning whisper,
and he bent low to reach her ear.
She smiled family: II am only too
| ready to forgive-we shall be friends
again-on one condition."
Name it," he demanded.
Her manner had resumed some OF
| it's archness, her voice it's gayety, as
she said: Never speak again of that
f1ower-let it die"
ut will never die" he declared,
huskily. Its perfume shall abide
with you-its fragrance enwrap you
like a garment. But I shall not speak
of it again; not until you are quite
| ready to listen.''
CHAPTER XII.
Against the current Gonzaga rowed,
with many backward glance Into
the stars doomed cypress and willow,
bordering as with badge of mourn,
| ing the land on either side.
Soon the lights of the settlement
struggled into view, and, brighter than
the others, long hospitab1e rays shot
from the tavern close to the waters
side. Here the Spaniard moored his
| boat and stepped ashore. But he was
in the mood neither for drink nor
cards, still less for song and laughter