The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1907-01-18
CHAPTER XXI.

When the time for dinner had come,
the merry makers devoted themselves
with keen appetites and spirits bois-
ferrous to this-the 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 a 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-a 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
many with them. He declined ruefuliy
"A lamb led to the slaughter | go to
play the role of hero in-extraordinary
But save 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 tive
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 Ger head shone in cameo relief.
He was reused from these poetic
fancies by touch on the shoulder
and turning saw Gerald Creighton, his
handsome face a-blush. With an en-
barrassed smile he said: May | see
Won 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 he
was Joined by Susan whom he led
straight to his mother.
Interested, Winslow watched the lit
tie family COIneuy. que, AAiSheOhCu'
nervous, but beamlng with 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-
scented because he would not be re-
fused; he had besought, commanded;
Tell rae, Susan, insist upon knowing
your reason for this change. You love
me, dear; why do you treat me
coldly?"
She lad parried 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