Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER XXI.

"@
ferrous to this-ths grand event Of the
day. To Winslow it seemed odd that
these simple pioneer folk who served
all meals in such bare and homely
fashion should find sport in slight
deviation from the ordinary habit.
But evidently there are degrees in
rustic simplicity" he said to himself,
as with q smile half cynical, half en-
vious he surveyed the crowd. Two or
three small fires were built, and above
these hung kettles for the making of
that rare luxury-tea. Over the en-
bers game was toasted, and "roastin'
ears" slowly baked in their Jackets
Of yellow and green. Cloths were
sometimes spread on the ground, but
more often lap-robes served as napery.
Here and there. from their teams de-
tached, were wagons in which whole
families perched making hungry dives
into a common hamper. One table
graced the grove. 1t was put
together few boards on stakes
for the use of the committee and its
favored guests. Chief of these was
Winslow, who occupied his post Of
honor with secret dissatisfaction. For
in the few words she had found time
to say, Mrs. Creighton urged his COM
pany with them. He declined ruefully.
"a lamb led to the slaughter l go to
play the role of hero in-extraordinary.
But save a little strength to visit with
me,' and he bowed low over her hand.
With divided mind ne performed the
honors of the table; secretly intent
upon watching Lavender. One or two
of the more daring among the village
beaux assisted with awkward gallantry
while she untitled the small hickory
crates and put the food in tempting ar
ray on a white cloth-dropped like a
cloud upon the green sward.
When Winslow's gaze would catch
and hold hers a rare smile filled her
neyes with iridescent sparkle or by a
bow, blush or wave of the hand she
would reward the glances which, how
ever they roved, came always back to
her. For the lovers fond vision saw
but another setting for her beauty in
this brilliant scene; the forest-all
green save for the scarlet of berry and
gold Of blossom which blazoned the
last glory of summertime. The sky
seemed to hold for her the softest
bridal veil Of mist, and in the back
ground a low fire smouldered-against
which her head shone in cameo relief.
He was reused from these poetic
fancies by a touch on the shoulder
and turning saw Gerald Creighton, his
handsome face a-blush. With an en-
barrassed smile he said: MAY | see
you when dinner is over? At the
grove by the road there; I'll be wait
ing under the maple trees" Winslow
murmured a surprised assent, but be-
ofre he could speak further Gerald
had slipped away. In a moment hs
was joined by Susan whom he led
straight to his mother.
Interested, Winslow watched the lit
tie family comedy. Sue, frightened,
nervous, but beaming with a proud
happiness, lowered close to her lover.
Happiness-yet not all unmixed; for
the daughters conscience was never
free from the accusing finger of the
dead. 1t was the first time she had
seen Gerald-except for the few mo-
ments by the brook-since the awful
suspicion, and to-day she only con-
sented because he would not be re-
fused; he had %besought, commanded:
Tell me, Susan, l insist upon knowing
your reason for this change. You love
me, dear; why do you treat me
coldly?"
She had parted his questioning with
a promise to go this once, and now
she was here-here, with all her lit
tie world looking on. Winslow no
ticed the gentle kindness with which
Mrs. Creighton responded to Sues
awkward little courtesy. The father
placed her near him with an evident
intent to put her at ease.
AS Lavender advanced to meet the
new guest, Winslow watched her close
ly; how would she act? There was
just a moments hesitation--she
stopped short and, all the color gone
from her face, put her hand to her
heart as If in sudden pain. Involun-
tarily her ayes sought Winslow's, and
1t gave him a sudden sharp pang us he
thought: "She Is wondering how she
must meet the girl whose father ]
killed."
But whatever the reason, Lavender's
hesitation was over in q moment, and
going forward she greeted the new
conner with hand ~outstretched and
smiling words. Winslow could hear
none Of the conversation, but it was
apparent that the family were bent
upon kindness toward this timid
stranger whose quiet brown eyes and
quivering lips seemed to entreat their
love.
Gerald maintained a defiant air Of
outward calmness, but there was 0
flush on his cheek, and an anxious
light in his eye which flashed feverish
scrutiny between his mother and the
girl he had thrust upon her. He was
proud, grateful and happy at Sues re-
ception--at the justice finally done:
relieved that the wooing of her who
really held his hayward affections
need be no longer under the rose.
At the close of the meal Winslow
saw Gerald go alone to the place OF
meeting he had signifled.
AS soon as possible he, followed 20
where the grove Of naples offered shade
and silence. Here he found Gerald
waiting.