Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1907-03-28
CHAPTER XXXIIT.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
God answers sharp and sudden on
some prayers,
And thrusts the thing we have prayed
for in our face,
A gauntlet with a gift int"
Scarcely were they home again In
St. Charles when they began planning
for the return to Virginia.
Lavender was all excitement, all in
terest. Was not this the desired end
of her hopes? The direct answer to
prayer?
But her mother watched the prep
arations quietly, without enthusiasm.
At Lavender's gentle remonstrance
she forced a smile to hide the sigh.
Eyes, l know, child, We are almost
there"
But the daughters happy, hopeful
heart did not see the meaning with
which a swift and undefinable preset
ence burdened the words.
Once America spoke in a mufTled
tone of alarm. Honey, hab yo' To-
ticed dat yo' mas allus AKIN what
time it is?"
The mysterious manner struck a
chill to Lavender's heart, though the
words seemed senseiess.
Rolling her eyes until the whites
were in startling relief against the
black setting, the old woman contin-
ued: "Dey do say as OATS a bad sign,
honey"
Then, as she noted the effect of her
speech: "Nebber mind my fool talk,
chile; come out an see de nice new
moon"
She playfully pushed the younger
woman to the door, Just above the
circle of trees on the western horizon
doomed a mass of clouds. from which
the sunset glory faded fast,
"Tu'n 'roun' quick, money, yo're look
in ober yo' lef' shoulder"
But Lavender did not move. Silent.
ly, miserable, depressed with Il naneless
dread, she watched the moon. Across
it's glittering crescent was a streak Of
purple cloud like a smear of dried
blood. Sne shivered and hurried into
the house, followed by the old negress.
quaking with superstitious fear.
Toward the close OF the next day
they led Mrs. Creighton out of doors
for a breath of fresh air. For it was
hot and close in the little cabin, and
she was better tonight.
Much better, are we not, dearost?"
And Lavender nestled in the grass at
her mothers feet, gently swinging the
hammock in which she lay.
The night was very still-too still,
Lavender thought. Earth and sky
seemed waiting for something; the
katy-dids, the doves, were silent; no
sound nor stir came from any living
creature; the owls cry was hushed;
only a bat ~blundered by with soft
swish of wings.
Lavender reached GU her hand for
Charles comforting clasp. Flow still
the night is" she said, ut awes, it
frightens me. Even SO | think it will
be on that dread, final night. The
world will be still-so still, beloved,
that the last waiting ears will hear the
whirling of the globe, the swing o. the
stars in space"
"Lavender!" Mrs. Creighton's voice
startled them-loud, but clear and
sweet as water over stones.
Eyes, mother, dearest, and the
daughter clasped the knees Of her who
now sat upright III she hammock, her
whole frame tense, ligid. On her face
was a look Of unearthly fairness, a
beauty that was young again, with the
last, eternal youth.
Her eyes were wide with expectancy.
a smile parted her lips. Are we al.
most there?'" she murmured.
For one long moment the daughter
gazed, not daring to draw breath
breath now was precious.
She watched the last faint sign of
color fade from her mothers face,
leaving it gray as b wasted ember.
Only those eyes burned bright with the
fire of the deathless soul.
Then waves Of grief ~eaveloped the
young, untamed heart, her whole being
ached with agony AZ in a flash the
thought confronted her. She had not
prayed right; she has blasphemcd; she
had demanded OF her God this boon.
And now the cup was at her lips, but
she must not taste--the Promised Land
was in sight, but she must abtte on
Pisgah.
TOO late! too Sate!" Lavender
moaned, as she Law, lace down ward,
hidden in her mothers hands hose
restless hands thai. Tor the first sinte,
failed in a responsive caress.
Where are you, daughter? CONS
home with me. Look! We are almost
there! See, the larch by the gale ID
dead, and the tiny nest still swing, on
the withered arm That is the oest
which the lazy blackbirds stole, do you
remember? How tall the grass is, and
see, they-they have let the--wee Is
grow, but her voice was fainter, and
the daughters tears failed to warm
the shrunken hands, But | shall
have it all-lovels again" And he'll
head dropped slowly back.
There was yet no sound in earth mol
sky. Only the hoarse breath Of the
mother and the daughters crying dis
turbed the peaceful night.
Hon good the children are! They
are taking me Monochrome"
Then her voice sank to a troubled
! whining. But view cannot get in