Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-10-24
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BY OLIVIA B.. STROHM'
CHAPTER XVII.-CoNr1NUED.
y. 49,; L.. ;,
Copyright. 1905, by olivia+B. stro,hm>.

"WinsloW," GOnZaga started VIC
lently as he realized her mistake. Thu
halo of which she had spoken was al
optical delusion common to the fever
and so binding as to account for hel
error-weak, too, and ill 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 MOI
heard her mothers words; she neei
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 a
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.
II 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 well faster if we
promise to take you back?"
She nodded slowly, with perfect
trust and 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 Gon2aga pronounced the prOnOun
"we," she gave an involuntary start,
and took 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 81
lence. WAS it right to raise mothers
hopes with such definite promise?
It 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 have figured it out prac-
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 1, then, to un-
derstand that you will take my
mother back home if will marry
you?" 49,. -:
Her, matter-of-fact tone and man.
ner for a moment chilled his ardor.
Did his offer appear to her only in
the light Of cold-blooded PROPOSE
ton? Could he not make her desire
It too?
His heart sank az he read the an.
swer in her eyes-cold, blue and clear
like violets buried in glacier. 4.
But again the old recklessness con-
stunned him; she was cold, but she was
beautiful. g."
THAT is my offer, fair one, your
mothers comfort-her life, perhaps,
may be saved; it rests with you"
Then suddenly another argument
occurred to him. II may say without
vanity that seem to have found favor
in your mothers sight. You will adj
nit the cordially of her manner to-
night? Again,I say, it rests with YOU,
A curious jay peeped and twittered
at them from a dead larch near. She
watched the bird soar away like a:
flash Of blue flame, then said "You
say it rests with me, and in the same.
breath declare it to be her wish. That
lis a paradox, senior, since, her wish
must ever be my law" t55@tt' e
3 s.:. She paused a moment then added,
Edreamily: ~ wonder If this offeroof
yours lis an answer to prayer? Nay,
/ hear me to the end. For my mothers
IsakeYI pray daily, hourly, for a way
". iWayt to take, her back home, where,
&:thtleytell # me, she may win new lease:
of her 1t is very dear
to me, senior. =55 n HI 4.S
sSss ere was q: hint ofz tears lin her
voice, and the little }dreary smile ID; made:
THE man. heart feel al new thro,b s Saotf
$pity: But passion was stronger, and
heSwould not affalter now. s Fl y /
Sid dnnlW an = 49, ~ =