Mower County transcript., 1906-09-26

:. ~" ~'.-.
HE TOOK HER HAND IN AN ARDENT
PRESSURE.
him, but il moths southern blood
only cried out the louder how much
he desired her.
Now when she thanked him for
favors to her mother, he protested:
Speak not of favors to your slave.
I You know for what he hcpes-you
know what promise it is ever on my
lips to break"
They were walking slowly back to
the cabin. When he said this, he tried
to take her hand, but she quickly
withdrew it.
please senor, not now. I have
much to think about
He interrupted impetuously: "And
can IL, who would die to serve you
or yours, can I never have a share
in those thoughts?"
This reproach would touch her. For
gratitude was one of her strongest
traits, he knew, and it was not al
ways coupled with Judgment. Added
to this injudicious gratitude, was a
modest rating of her own value which
doubled it's effect.
She answered now with a sweet
smile: "You have, indeed, earned the
right to my thoughts, to my close at
tention to anything you may have to
say. But, pardon me, am not in the
mood of late, to consider you or my
SELF"
"You are considering only herr"
The softness of his voice as he put
the question, the sudden sweep of
throbbing chord, thrilled her to tears.
Gonzaga saw them trembling on her
lashes, and following up his advan-
tage: perhaps can help you to help
herr" he ventured.
"Oh, if you can-if you will, 1 shall
be so glad, so grateful, was her i'm
pulsive admission.
MAY l try?"
Before she could reply, they were at
the door of the cabin. On the door
step America sat in silence. Nor Gid
ouS oPCdh do LAoy opp1 OoChCu, OA1y
removing, at Lavender's hint, one
ebony hand from the doorsill where it
barred entrance. For the Spaniard,
with his dark eyes, olive skin and
raven hair, found no favor in her
sight.
Gimme white folks, er jes' plain
niggahs,' she would say, II DON cot
ton to none O. desc yer ross-breeds.'
Ordinarily the ignorant soul was
willing to learn, and docile under argu-
ment, but in the matter Of race. she
recognized but white and black.
To admit the Spsniard, therefore,
she moved ever so slightly, with a
poor grace, and visage severe.
Into the darkened room Lavender
led the way, but Gonzaga stepped
swiftly in advance, and tiptoed alone
to the bedside.
"Do you know me?" he asked in a
whisper.
Mrs. Creighton's voice was weak,
but apparently free from delirium as
she murmured: Il do, indeed, and you
wear the halo with good grace"
Then added: "Those who come out of
the daylight appear to my eyes to be
so topped, sir. But your halo is bright
est of all. Perhaps it is because OF
what you have done for us-of your
knightly services, Mr.. Winslow.'
"Winslow," Gonzaga started vio-
lently as he realized her mistake. The
halo of which she had spoken was an
optical delusion common to the fever,
and so binding as to account for her
error-weak, too, and i'll 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 not
heard her mothers words; she need
not know that he spoke in other char
acter. i'>< z - II
Louder this time and for the bene-
-: CT the listening girl, he said: Per ]
laps my halo is brightest. because I
bring good news. We are trying tc
arrange for your return home; do you
want to so?"E4++> :zt.ss ;..fz.-. *
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.
d; I cannot leave the rest" she muir
INJURED. 53
/ And what if&they go too? What if
you all go home together?''
. ''Ah, that would be the answer to
prayer Z
And you will get well faster if we
promise to take you back ?''=ss :?
She nodded slowly with perfect
trust and a happy sigh Of content, and
then sank again to the pillow.
purinE S ss..s:s IS dialogue, Lavender had !