Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-10-24
sclaim the right I ff q way toISS royal
3shighroa your heart {!
81 He dropped on his knee,,$and clasp

time to ponder upon it. Advice, OF
/ course, can ask Of nobody-it is
case in which am supposed to be the
best Judge. And you-you need time,
too, You may reconsider your offer"
Then as he was about to protest:
mo, it is not a light thing to take
wife who frankly owns but an fndif-
ferent regard. Think it over-so shall
I. Goodnight" and, without giving
him time for further pleading, she
turned away.
The man watched her as she walked
listlessly to the cabin and for mo-
ment his heart misgave him. Then
his lips closed hard over clenched
teeth. Bah! we lovers are fools
enough without adding prudence to
our Crimes" and he strobe to his
waiting canoe.
Detected, slow, Lavender returned
to her mother, whom she found in a
state of high fever.
Daughter, are we-are we going
home:" she breathed.
IF you wish it, dearest
ooh, I do, dol" The flush slowly
Redeemed the drawn cheeks, and she
wept the ready tear of sickness.
Lavender bent over the bed, and
spoke distinctly: perhaps I shall
be married, mother dear, and then we
can all go back"
A shade of anxiety passed over the
wan face. Married? My little girl
wife? His wife,"
Then, as Lavender bowed without
speaking: '*Well, since it must be
some day, he would be my choice,
daughter. He is more than a knight,
he is man."
But again the smile gave place to
look Of anxious inquiry: "You love
him? You will be happy, child?"
A tempest passed over Lavender's
soul, and her heart rose in bitter re-
bellion. She wanted to sob out the
whole story on her mothers breast.
That had ever been her refuge-must
it fail her now? She read the answer
in the rising flush on the sufferers
face; in the glitter of the eyes. What
matter her own wishes? How paltry
they seemed in the presence of this
shadow.
Il will be happy, mother. Very
happy if you are"
The long afternoon light faded, and
sickly beams slanted through the bars
of the window, throwing the shadow
of cross on the wall. Just above,
hung the picture Of the Holy Mother
and Child.
$50 we are going Monochrome
Sing: Are We Almost There?'"
There was pause, and Lavender
drew her breath hard; then low,
vibrant, but steady she sang:
"And, in secret she sig he'd for quiet spot
Where she oft had played in childhood's
hour,
Though shrub or flower had marked it not,
1t was dearer to her than the gayest
, bower"
Lower and lower sank the voice,
then the singer stole from the room,
leaving the sleeper to happy dreams.
CHAPTER XVIII
It was high noon, when, few days
later, Gonzaga Came for his answer.
Intense quiet prevailed; the earth
seemed asleep in a GREATNESS siesta,
while not leaf stirred-not a cricket
chirped. With a sigh of relief, the
Spaniard sprang from his boat, and
entered the bosky shade of shore. For
the sun poured dazzling beams on the
water until its 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 a grabe-vine which
formed a gparIed arch between two,gi-
ant poplars. One shabby little shoe, with
it's high heel, brushed the ground; her
head-with eyes half-closed- 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 startled
fawn. did disturb your he asked;
for there was no installing 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 TT am not
accustomed to waiting His native
imperiousness showed. even in r the
presence Of his lady-love; she was
quick to notice the tone, and her own
was cold. Then do not wait for me, /
beg" she said. ! a Tx. ,>&:.' +. 5,,.5 I'll
In q flash the undercurrent Of AFRO
gance changed to an earnest appeal:
'T ask pardon. humbly, but it. means
so much to me that to win you II
would bend all wills to mine even
yours 81 - Il J: :f.. I. :=t5 r i !:
He seated himself on, log j at her
feet, gently sWayings the vine on which
she rested. Il have come for my. an
sWer,'' he said s l. .: =S, 2=ss !
T. She was silent; he; pulled the vine:
forward until its winsome burden IVA was
close to- him. rs it YES, or3no?'',; he.
insisted. s & /. ~ NJ II 5:v II BIS Il; $5
NTossing her sunbonnet lightly { at
him, she jumped from. the swing, and
with: atl# attempt at. gayety, said All,
senor,l you; xpect too much i. tt have
mot quite decide Ri. q, q, sSEs
IL he man q was distracte between an
ger and love for tormen
And st was hare LEI t. bear her les ta
ton because bel knew twas not mere ,ls
mai r a den !'1 & ION rem
ble q 81 his s he found
courage ere 9is :to .be5 a
meeting next Sund av9 MI II G II