The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-06-09

who are constantly depending upon
each other for their lives, who hear no
other human tongue and see no other
human face for months. But yet their
romantic life and frequent change of
companionship are not apt to permit of
lasting ties being formed, as was evident
in this case and the old trappers look
ed in wonder as they saw great tears
follow each other down the weather
bronzed cheeks, and the silent agony
that shook the iron frame.
" May he sleep well and no wolves
dig up his bones, and no weeds grow on
his grave ~ were the only words that
escaped his lips as the last sod was
placed upon the grave that would never
be marked by stone, and soon tram
pied down beyond all recognition in the
wilderness of prairie.
Better here than in Their stifled air
and smoke of er city, whar they pile up
Their collins in great stone cellars they
call vaults" | reckon" was the charac-
teristic answer of Mark Desmond, who,
like all of his class, desire the utmost
| freedom even after death.
The stranger looked at him search
ingly for a few minutes, brushed his
hand across his eyes to clear them of
tears, and motioning him to follow
walked slowly away until out of hear
ing of the others.
Sit down, Mark, eff that be yer
name," he said, after he had selected a
spot from which he could see to con-
siderable distance on every side. |" Sit
down, | want ter talk with you. You
appear ter have known the poor boy
well, and ter have more feelin' than any
of Their others"
"Yes, and he was er good boy and
true as steel. It's many er day we've
hunted tergether and many er night
one has kept watch while Their other
slept. I'd give my rifle eff he war only
alive ergin."
Another might have smiled at the
comparison, but Armstrong did not.
He knew the value Of the weapon, and
to his mind it was the strongest posi-
bic proof that could have been offered
of the love the trapper bore for the
dead one.
"And yer know Their young squaw,
too, that he war said to be in love with,
Mark ?"
Yes. She's famous for her good
looks, and | must own that | never saw
one Of her cussed race that could com.
pare with her."
"Do yer think she am treacherous,
that she lured Their boy on and finally
led him inter ambush ?"
81 can't rightly say, but I'm sartin
that all who have made love ter her
I ho, CHI
in secret places"
:" Is she easy to be found p
Thar hain't er single day but yer
kin see her ridin' about and-bless my
soul, thar she comes now. Aren't she
pictur to look at p
She was a picture, and a very beauti
full one, as She rode slowly past on a
fiery, half-broken colt that she managed
with rare skill Even the stranger
could not but admit that. Her mo-
tons were those of unfettered grace,
and constant exercise in the open air
had given firmness to the muscles.
The round arms, hare to the shout
ders, shone in the sunlight as if cast in
bronze whose greatest proportion was
gold. Her features were regular for
one Of her race, and her skin was softer
and more clearly olive. Her eyes were
larger and more expressive than COM
mon, her mouth smaller, her lips thin
ner, and her hair finer and more glossy.
In her dress much of taste had been
displayed Notwithstanding it was
usually gaudy and heavily decorated
with bright beads and wampum. The
wreath that kept her long hair in sub
lection, of crimson feathers. and the
girdle of braided silk, were evidently
the gift of some white lover. Now
however, everything of ornament was
black as night, and the plumage of the
hamingo had been changed for that OF
the raven. Impelled either by the nat
ural love of admiration, curiosity or
affection, she reined in her horse when
near the spot where the trappers were
seated, and asked of Desmond with
whom she was acquainted, in the lang
uage of her people, if the dead man
had been buried and where she would
find his grave.
Yes, poor boy" he answered sorrow
fully.
" Does the pale face speak or under
stand the language of the Sioux p
He looked at Armstrong for a reply,
but received none. He questioned him,
and was told that it was strange to him.
"No, he doesn't understand er single
word lie am er stranger here. But,
White Hawk, thought yer loved him
who was gomez
" Better than the dying flowers love
the dew" she replied, keeping her eyes
fixed upon the face of Armstrong, as if
to satisfy herself that he was not coun-
terfeiting ignorance. But she might as
well attempt to read blank wall.
" Does the pale face not see that Wau,
pee has dressed for him who has gone
to the country of souls? p
Yes, ter be sure, you have put on
black"
"And she came to find the place Of
his grave, that she might weep there
and pray the good Maniton to smooth
the pathway to the happy hunting
grounds. Will the pale face tell hel
where she can find it p
The information was given, and she
quickly departed not, however, unit