Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-06-11
Lavender Creighton's
 Lovers
By OLIVIA B. STROHM
l-o,-rieh,, 1905. by Olivia B. strohu

llOAS lOI cuppCi. " iAiSAo" AoSN~N ~~ in lazy, satisfied silence.
 4ea The meal was spread on the ground in the most primitive style.
 eff you want to be useful while you sit there, MT. Winslow, sir, suppose you sharpen these twigs for forks? That rabbit will be too hot for any fingers but mine"
 Winslow assumed the work with a show of earnestness, but looked up often to watch Lavender. In the weird light that was neither sun, nor moon, nor fire, but a blending of all three, she fitted about like 8 wrath of sun beams entombed in the forest shades.
 It was one secret of her charm for him-this entire qualification of his artistic sense. It was not her beauty alone that pleased him; it was the ele- ment of the picturesque, the dramatic 1. which that beauty never lacked.
 He watched her now, as she waited upon Daniel Boone, whose wishes she seemed ever to anticipate. A gourd of water for the part of the fire that was too hot; more salt for the meat, . or . delft turn of the -hoe-cake when needed. -
 To this primitive cooking she brought an alert interest that vastly pleased the old pioneer. She toast ed bits of venison on the end of a . bayonet held over the coals, and, 1. shielding with the free hand her cheek ! from the frelight's glow. she hid, too, the blush that covered it at the old mans words of praise.
 She'll be a fine heusekeeper some day; I envy the lucky fellow she's to cook for;" and to this simple soul, praise of woman could no further go.
 At last the game was done to 8 turn, the hoe-cake ready, and these, with jelly and rice pies from Amer ica,s bundle, completed the feast. There was a moments wait, while Boone said . short, quaint grace. To the closing words flor the preservation of our lives" he added an unctuous Amen" exchanging glances with Winslow The young man bowed lower, his thoughts thus solemnly recalled to the danger of the afternoon, safely passed.
 Then he changed the subject light ly. T am glad came, even though" he added, responsibility. ''our lady here has broadly hinted that I am un- necessary if not an unwelcome guest. She tells me that did not need .xo fn Sol her home tomorrow. What do you think of that for hospitality, sir?"
 Lavender shook her head at this ' teasing distortion of her words, but before she could speak, Boone inter posed with gravity: And did you tell her that but for you there would have been no Dan Boone to escort her TT anybody else-to-morrow?"
 Lavender uttered a little scream of dismay, looking from one to the other Searfully.
 Boone continued: He could. had he chosen, come out best in that argu- ment, child. If 1t hadn't been for his quick eye and hand, the woods would never again have echoed to this gun, and that red devil yonder would have had another scalp at his belt-snother life on his soul"
 Lavender was silent, awe-struck, and for a space nobody spoke. To break the spell which threatened <o mar the time, Boone said: See the new moon! Let's made a wish"
 And all three turned from the fire light to see the crescent moon that, like a silver cradle. rocked a star.
 After a pause, Boone asked: What did we all wish?"
 "I can guess yours, colonel" Laven- ler said. "It was for good weather, or full traps. or perhaps that the Indians would let us alone
 NO. my girl, no. am indifferent to weather: am too old hunter to set traps this time of year. and as for the Indians. well. Dan Boone has yet e worry about them. No, mine was the old. old story-a wish for my land. my title. For you must know." he added in explanation, that I have long coveted more of Mother Earth than the bare six feet which all men claim"
 This was followed by a hush. which the host broke again: Yours was something sentimental, no doubt?"
 Lavender shook her head. NO. I couldn't think of a trifiing wish ,~onnorhfrU Uhfeh dgs r,. -,s..- co I didn't wish at all The real heart desires. things want very much-no. 4 wouldn't trust them to a goddess 90 3apricious."
 winslow smiled at her fancy-her manner. half serious. half testing.
 ~T see you have imbibed some of Americas supersititons. Now, I, on xhe contrary. have trusted to the moons 9ckle care a grave responsibil- fly. the desire on which my whole life turns"
 His meaning tone made Lavender tremble with an odd. confused ioy.
 The old man chuckled.
 In the embarrassed calm which fol- lowed. Ouatosa emerged from the hut where he had been caring for the wounded savage. and with few strides joined the group. In his manner wss . suggestion of repressed excitement There uss a glitter in the fathOnIess eyes.
 ~0uatoEz has something to tell re- marked wizslOv. Let us hear it.