Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-09-19
LaVender>
CreightOn'S
Lovers
BY OLIVIA B. STROHM
II -
Copyright, 1905, by Olivia B. Strohm>.
CHAPTER XI.-CoNr1NuED.

CHAPTER XI.-CoNrINUED.
In the huge chimney, under the
crane-hung kettle, f1ickered a small
fire. Shadows danced on floor and
watson the white draped bed in the
corner-on the snowy cloth spread
over the table, rude slab on oaken
posts.
Guns hung on the buck horns above
the door; an old print of the Madonna
and few family portraits in dull
frames, decked duller WALL The color
ing was somber, but the freight glow,
and the sparkle of silver on the table,
frightened the interior. Everywhere
was nameless charm, foreign to the
wildwood. Perhaps it was in the white
curtains-in the basket of gay worsteu,
In the wild flowers blooming on man
telpiece and table.
When the meal was finished, Law
ender filled her fathers pipe. do you
know, dad. that you are giving your
self altogether too many fancy airs
There is such a painful contrast be-
tween your buckslxin coat and this gold
tobacco box. And as for mother-that
knot of real lace is poking fun at the
linsey gown it adorns.'
But not at the face above it, child
and Mr.. Creighton looked fondly at
his wife AS for you, saucy MINK
he added, these dainty hands and
feet are quite out of place here. AS
long as you wear high heeled slippers
and an amber bracelet, don't laugh
at your poor fathers luxury"
But the shoes-my dear Virginia
shoes-are wearing out What shall I
do then, Dad?"
do as did the men at Valley Forge,
dear; bind them up with rags"
Just then there was shutting step
outside, and the rattle of pals. Law
ender flew to the door to admit Amer
lea, who, as she entered, grumbled to
herself: Reckon y'all t'ink I'm slower
'n'lassesin winter, but dat ole moody COW
IS de mos onrulines' critter eber seed.
She was in de gully crost de crick, an
had de beatenes' time gittin' her
calm 'Suke' till my th'oat mos
cracked. Den it TUX me a pow'ful time
to git my strippins."
While she was talking America was
emptying the warm milk into broad
pans, and Lavender carried them into
the small lean to that served as kitch-
en-, and which the old negress calls the
quarters" in memory of days on
Blennerhasset island-days which she
would never allow to be better, but to
which, in many little ways, she paid
unconscious tribute.
Suddenly, in the midst of pouring
the milk, she stopped with hands on
her hips, exclaiming: "Fo' Gawd,
done forgot to tell val dat some
body's comm up de ribber. Hit mout
be Mars. Gerald, but de skift amt
white. Oar was only one man in it,
and peered like he was pullin' fer dis
yer sho''
Unconsciously, Mr.. Creighton's eyes
sought his gun, and his hand moved
to the hunting knife in the silver scab-
bard at his belt.
Lavender went to the window "a
loop-hole heavily barred. Twilight was
almost over, and the zone of giant
pines that bound the clearing doomed
into the fast blackening zenith.
"Somebody is crossing the stile," she
said. "Ah, it is Senior Gonzaga."
Opening the door, she met him with
frank cordially, and he bowed i'm
pressively over her hand.
They were all surprised, but delight
ed, and Mrs. Creighton asked: "You
are living near us, senor?
''Not permanently, madam, it is my
purpose to travel through the new ter
ritory, and I only stopped for a short
stay in St. Charles. Friends are rare
in this country, and one likes to re-
main near them as long as possible"
He glanced at Lavender, but she was
busy with the snood that bound her
hair, and took no notice of his words
or look.
To the exiled family, the presence OF
a visitor was treat, and they were all
brighter for this breath of the outer
world. Besides, this man was edu-
Gated, had travelled much, and there
was food for conversation outside their
present narrow scope in his wide
knowledge of men and things.
Gonzaga noticed that Mrs. Creighton
was paler, thinner, with deeper lines
about the mouth, and at the corners
of her Swallowed eyes.
To Mr.. Creighton he gave attention
as new factor in his plans. But he
mentally decided that he need take
him slightly into consideration. The
elder Creighton was quiet man-not
selfishly absorbed, but with mind
which, being long focused upon prac-
teal daily troubles, was narrowed to
the contemplation of those things
which were his own and his family's
Immediate concern. Reserved, not
talkative or fond of entertaining, his
well-bred courtesy was, nevertheless,
unfailing; his habit Of mind intelli-
gent, sober.
Gonzaga read this all clearly, and de-
tided that upon the mother must he de-
pend for influence with Lavender. OF
this he took careful note, saying to
himself with an amused smile: "To
the father, sweetheart more or less,
will not matter; he will concern him.
self little with me-
The evening was nearly over, and
still the visitor had addressed no word
in private with Lavender. For this, the
maid was thankful; hers was keen
ness of intuition, fostered by the va
ried experiences of the last few
months; by the new and strange mode
Of life. The shrinking bashfulness-
the guileless ignorance, which the fash