The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-11-09

4 SAKE, L pidy AONA@J, avs - ''~@
way to take her back home where,
they tell me, she may win new lease
of life. And her life-it is very dear
to me, senor."
There was a hint Of tears in her
voice. and the little dreary smile made
the mans heart feel new throb OF
pity. But passion was stronger, and
he would not falter now.
Suddenly she faced him, and said
sternly: LAS for your part, senior, II
Won are the instrument sent in answer
to prayer, no doubt l should thank
YOU. but-but hardly know. Are you
noble and generous, or are you Selling
an unfair advantage of my helpless
ness?
Neither, fair one, am in love with
you"
Then. coming closer, and with pas
sionate voice: Love is my reason,
nv excuse, my text. By it, alone, l
claim the right of way to the royal
highroad of your heart!
He dropped on his knee, and clasp
ing her hand, pressed it to his hot
| lips.
To the overweight nerves OF the
girl the lovers zeal seemed fantastic;
a melo-dramatic display that Jared
She wanted to tell him that there was
no highroad to her heart; only a mar
row path-at it's end a gate which was
forever locked since another held the
kew. But she saw the real fervor
back of the grandiloquent manner,
and. withdrawing her hand, said, in
gentler tone than before: I'VE VIII
sneak of this again, senior; | need
time to ponder upon it. Advice, oil
course. l can ask of nobody-it is a
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:
NO. it is not a light thing to take
wife who frankly owns but an lndit-
ferent regard. Think it over-so shail
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. lheh
his lips closed hard over clencned
teeth. Bah! we lovers are fools
enough without adding prudence TO
our crimes" and he STROBE to MS
waiting canoe.
Detected. slow, Lavender returned
TO her mother. whom she found in a
state of higa fever.
Daughter, are we-are we going
home:" she Lreathed.
IF you wish it, dearest"
ooh I do. l dol" he flush slowly
Redeemed the drawn cheeks, and she
wept the ready tear of sickness.
Lavender bent over the bed, and
smoke distinctly: perhaps | 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 a
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 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 sufferer
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 a cross on the wall. Just above
hung the picture of the Holy Mother
and Child.
80 we are going Monochrome
Sing: Are We Almost There?'
There was a pause, and Lavender
drew her breath hard; then low
vibrant, but steady she sang:
And in secret she sighed for quiet spot
Where she oft had played in childhood's
hour,
Though shrub or flower had marked 1t not
1t was dearer to her than the gayesl
bower"
Lower and lower sank the voice
then the singer stole from the room
leaving the sleeper to happy dreams.
CHAPTER XVIII.
1t was high noon, when, few days
later, Gonzaga came for his answer
| Intense nuipt nrpVailpd. the partl