Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-12

uSh Wdut US StdIb. L, WuU Was d
coward "by birth and education" let
60 my hold on the bushes, and uttered
an exclamation, but Laura was still.
The swarthy face of al Indian peer
ing through the bushes did not lessen
my fear, and | came near fainting
away. .........
"Hush It's Sam. Don't you know
him."
knew him now. He was kneel-
ling On the wet sand. drawing our
boat more under cover of the bushes,
making signs to indicate silence the
while. We had just fastened the
boat so that the rustling of the bushes
could not betray us, when we heard
voices, and presently the sound of foot
ste2s on the soft sand. One voice L
knew, and it sent thrill through eve
ry nerve. | knew then who Laura
had suspected all the time. 1t was
the cuiled and scented exquisite
Hattie'a lover.
They seemed to be unfastening
boat near, for | heard chain rattle,
and Alberton said to his companion
Hurry, curse you! Old Stetson
has been setting dog of an Indian to
watch me. A pretty kettle of fish if
they found US out. The horses would
60, and the money-every cent. The
horses ought to have been RATED down
long ago. And that gold of old Mar
cher's. He offers such a big reward,
two thousand dollars !more than Stet-
sons whole pile! But the horses
alone are worth more"
The boat drifted past within three
yards of US, while we held our breath,
and the talk grew indistinct. We
watched in silence from our screen
until they rounded the point and were
lost to sight in the creek. In half
an hour a smoke rose on the bluff,
white and dense at first, then gradu-
ally grew thin and blue as the fire be-
gan to burn well.
The rascals are getting their sup
per. They will that the bushes have
eyes and ears too sometimes" Laura
said. | saw that she felt quite jubi-
liant. The Indians face was study,
as he watched her. Wonder, astonish-
ment and admiration blended.
"White girl come for row" he
asked.
"No," pointing to the bluff. awe
came to see that"
oh! Ugh! White girl, good
squaw. White girl rery much good
squaw p
Which he seemed to consider a suf-
66eient 6l:lI d display of admiration, for he
shouldered 1t easily and stalked off
into the almost impenetrable thicket
bidding US follow, which we did at the
imminent peril of leaving a trail be-
hind US of torn muslin, and locks of
hair. After walking about half a
mile directly a,0ay from the river, as
it seemed to me, we came to it again
and Sam launched the boat. We got
in and Sam followed, taking the oars
He made US tell him over and over
again, what Alberton had said, as he
could not understand. We told faith
er nothing that night for fear he might
not rest, but Hattie's womans wit
helped her. She had been giving faith
er his good night kiss, and when she
came into the room again, Laura anC
| fell into silence, not knowing wheth
: er we had best tell her.
What makes you two so silent anC
) mysterious 2 One would think you d
) been stealing horses - or finding
horse thieves"
} Just what we have been doing
, my dear. Not stealing ourselves, hut
finding out who did"
! "You But it wont do any good
Mr.. Alberton was here while you
| were gone, and he says that there il
no trace of them to be found now, anC
, that they are hundreds of miles across
t country before this. Poor little
| Beauty I"
: Hattie, Mr.. Alberton knows just
where Beauty is. He stole father
money too. And he helped rob Mr.
Marcher.
Laura you are unjust! you dom
, know" Hattie began to cry.
ayes l do know grille. | hear(
him-Susy and Indian Sam heart
5 him to too-tell all about his business
: this evening. He has the horses ant
money hidden on Pragues Poin
somewhere. Before this time Cousin
| Dick is in Missouri starting the off
| GERS Of the law after them, and be
e fore the sun goes down tomorrow
t you will have Beauty home again,
e hope"
Hattie raised her head. The ''re'
' hair disposition" began to work.
:, Hattie was angry-spunky, l calle'
:. it.
u "Is this truth p
t "Gospel truth. We both saw an
h heard him. | am glad"
r "Don't be glad anything about il
n I'm not worth being glad over. Blu
t I'll be glad to see Beauty and-Dick.
"Dick Why he was here yestel
!. day."
v ayes, but l didn see him. Poo
J. Dick! | have been fool, and Sc
t fish one to make you all so anxious
4 But | promise better behavior afte
Il this"
It Frivolous" you say, my dear reat
n er; we'll, she was pretty, so it mad
e no difference you see.