Mower County transcript., 1906-10-03
CHAPTER XVIII.

| CHAPTER XVIII.
| It was high noon, when, q few days
later, Gonzaga came for his answer.
Intense quiet prevailed; the earth
seemed asleep in a breathless siesta,
while not leaf stirred-not a cricket
chirped. With a sigh of relief, the
Spaniard ssrang from his boat, and
entered the bosky shade of shore. For
the sun poured dazzling beams on the
water until it's surface glowed as with
the sheen Of myriad dace at play.
A soft swishing sound arrested his
attention, and peering through shelter
| ing boughs he spied Lavender lazily
| swinging on grapevine which
formed gnarled arch between two gi-
ant poplars. One shabby little shoe, with
It's high heel, brushed the ground; her
head-with eyes half-closed-was pill
lowed on one arm, which, barred to the
elbow, clasped the vine. An amorous
sigh escaped the beholder, and Laven-
| der rose, looking about like a startled
fawn. did disturb your" he asked;
for there was no mistaking the re-
! gretful tone with which she had ex-
claimed: "Ah, is it you, senor?"
Yet in spite of the doubtful welcome,
he found courage to say: "Forgive me,
| if am importunate, but it is hard to
| bear suspense in love, and II am not
accustomed to waiting" His native
| imperiousness showed even in the
| presence of his lady-love; she was
| n11iofx tn natiao tho
was cold. "Then do not wait for me, l
beg" she said.
In a fash the undercurrent of arro-
gance changed to an earnest appeal:
Il ask pardon humbly, but it means
SO much to me that to win you l
would bend all wills to mine-even
| yours"
He seated himself on a log at her
feet, gently swaying the vine on which
she rested. II have come for my an
swer," he said.
She was silent; he pulled the vine
| forward until it's winsome burden was
close to him. rs it yes, or no?" he
insisted.
Tossing her sunbonnet lightly at
him, she jumped from the swing, and,
with an attempt at gayety, said: "Ah,
senor, you expect too much. IL have
not quite decided"
The man was distracted between an
ger and love for his fair tormentor.
And it was harder to bear her hesita-
tion, because he knew it was not mere
maiden coQuetry. A question trem-
bled on his lips; he length he found
courage to say: There is to be a
meeting next Sunday at the little
church on the road to St. Louis. Rev.
Father Ballinger will lead the serv-
ice. Go there with me; be married to
me, and +hen-then for Virginia and
your old home!" -.... : ...--.
Thus, in low, rapid words he plead
ed his cause; he was selfish, he was
Influenced by the hope of reward in
her love-all this he admitted. but in
time she would learn to love him,
and the DOCTORS warning-her moth
er's health-ah, there was much at
stake! ,,-s. s.a-.%st .'s~ ..,5>s:.
! At a climax in his appeal he bent
| %. -. -t--. . / H. !.
toward her and seized her hand. And
Standing thus-his hot clasp about thu
Slim, tanned fingers, he looked .lons
into her eyes.
AT that moment there was a rust
ling in the underground near, and ir
another second the Indian, Owatoea
appeared. ..: s. r.
Measuring the Spaniard with eye
Keen as 9 falcons, he stared thus fol
some time. And under his scrutiny
as relentless as it was impertinent,
Gonzaga chafed, demanding at last:
by what right do you intrude here?''
The forest belongs to the red man;
j Y is his gift from the Great Spirit. /"
Fhen. striding up to Lavender, u he
/ placed IA her hands . basket Of pan
sies arranged with artistic care. Il
i seemed as though u, sssse sss 4 .,gtyer each