The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-10-05

fldgety as a hen whose fiedglings have
taken to the pond" She laughed. and,
hanging one arm over the boats edge,
let the water trickle through the pink
dam of her fingers.
you don't mind being with rss!
High praise, indeed" and Gonzaga
shrugged his shoulders, and raised his
brows sarcastically. Then, dropping
the oars, and bending toward her:
Now, listen to me-" he said, II, on
Sthe other hand, declare that it is my sole
delight to be with you. 1t has been
since first sight of you was balm
to my tired eyes,"
His voice, soft in time with the
melody of waves against the idle oar
his face with its southern beauty, lent
dignity to the words which, from a
less romantic cavalier, Lavender would
have scorned as mere fustian.
But there was magic in the time and
place, witchery in the hour which
subdued the girls levity, and awak-
ened a dormant sentiment. But this
sentiment was not for the man be-
side her. With every beat of her quick
ened pulse, her thoughts were borne
farther from him. Her eyes had
soft charm, her voice tender cadence,
but the softness, the tenderness which
his words had awakened, were for an
other.
you speak prettily, senor," she said,
dreamily, and the unconscious coquetry
led him on.
do you believe in love at first
sight?" was his next question.
Lavender laughed uneasily-for now
his tone and manner reused her
brought her back to him. mo-" she
declared, 81 am not sure that be-
lieve in love at ALL"
Ignoring her speech, he went on:
There is a southern flower that, in a
night, throws all it's great heart bare.
So my love for you had its being"
"And so in a night it will die" 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, 1t will
live always, and from its roots shall
spring another-your love for me. Is
it not so?" he leaned toward her; his
senses swimming in a passion for this
girl in whose fair face was reflected all
the crystal of moonlit 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 a 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 so?"
Il do not think so, senior 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, Il cannot listen; II am not
ready now. | 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
Il do not want it."
Her earnest, yet mctter-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 r. +
dies. senior"
"a riddle you can easily read, lady,
but il you prefer, l shall construe 1t.
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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of a 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, |
can no longer doubt. l fear, Senior
Gonzaga, that the flower which was to
bear the fruit of love requited, will bat
nourish the parasite of hate"
Calming himself quickly. Forgive
me-" he pleaded, "but as all is fair in
love and war, so Jealousy Of rival is
not a crime. That he is successful
rival makes II all the harder"
You presume much, senior. Mr..
Winslow is no mans rival where |
am conference.-the does not wish to be.
But that he is a true gentleman, and
an honest man, l am as sure as that
this water runs"
There was pause, while he took up
the oars. Shall 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 a love like
mine"