Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-01-18

From the Overland Msnthly.I
A ROMANCE OF GILA BEND.
CONCLUDED FROM YESTERDAY 4


would come" :" he said, as on the night be-
fore but this time he held her face be-
tween his hands and looked searchingly in
to her eyes. What if they should try to
take my little girl away before | come
back: would she 60 off and leave me?
She met his look fearlessly and con
fidingly. Tell me in what direction you
are going, and will run away and follow
you, if they break up before you return
"Ioward Fort Yuma. / shall ride day
and night, and return to you in ten days.
Good-by; keep faith and keep courage"
'Good-by,' for the first time the soft,
bare arms were laid around his neck, and
the blushing, child-like face half buried in
his full, black beard. 'sI.et me keep Bose
here, she called after him; and, at
word from his master, the dog sped over
the cactus-covered ground.
At ella Bend preparations for departure
on Georges return were kept on foot, pur-
posely to keep before Dora's eyes the fact
that she was expected to 60 with her peo-
pie. The days passed. one. like the other;
there was no event to break the monotony
OF their desert life There was one
change, but none knew Of it or perceived
it, except, perhaps, Dora's mother. From
thoughtless, easily guided girl, Dora
was changing into self-reliant, strong
spirited woman. Her mother knew of her
resolve as well as though she had heard
her utter it, she looked upon her eldest
born with all the greater pride, when she
discovered that the "gal had heap of her
dads grit" as well as his mild blue ewes
and gentle bearing.
When the morning of the tenth day
dawned, Dora was up hetimes, mending,
with deft fingers, all the little rents she
could find in her thin, well-worn dress.
Never before had she felt that she was poor
or that she wanted more than the single
gown and the limp sunbonnet. '.Moy-
ing had been their permanent state and
normal condition, as far back as she could
remember, and she knew only those who
lived in the same condition.
She had never seen town on city vet in
the settlements through which they had
passed, she had seen enough of backwoods
finery to know that her wardrobe was scan-
tily furnished. At last, one by one the
tears gathered slowly in her eyes, and she
leaned her head on the edge Of the bed
where her sister lay, still asleep, and
sobbed till Sis woke up and looked at her
with wondering eyes.
In the course of the day, Dora went to
the river two or three times, Bose always
close at her heels. Whatever may have
been the character of the mysterious con-
sultations they held, in the afternoon the
dog was missing, until near sundown,
when he dashed into the station, painting
and with protruding tongue. Unobserved,
she stole away, and when quite distance
from the house, Bose came tearing through
the cactus after her The little cloud oil
dust seen in the distance came nearer and
nearer, and, as soon as the horseman was
distinguished, the race between Dora and
Bose began, and when the different par
ties met, Bose was fain to leap up and sa-
lutte the horses face-oecause the rider
was otherwise engaged. The horse con-
tinued the journey at a slow walk, while
Dora looked the question she was too timid
to ask Eyes, darling think your aunt
will be satisfied answered George.
Then you have brought man?a Her
curiosity had conquered, for she could see
no human being besides themselves.
Il have" His laugh made her shrink n
little--like the miDaOSo sensitira. when
touched by ever so dainty finger-and he
added soberly: 1.-TWO of them; one is the
station keeper at Kenyon's Station Their
wagon will come into sight directly, but |
don't want them to. see my little girl out
here with me-"
An hour aftcrward, heavily laden wa.
gon, drawn by two stout horses, came
rolling into Gila Bend followed by George.
\ hearty welcome was extended by all to
the new arrivals--even Bose, the hypo-
critic, barked and capered as though he
had not greeted his master two miles down
the road. Supper was served by the
mother and aunt, the latter being narrow
ly but furtively watched by the station
keeper Of Kenyons Station. All thoughts
of business or departure seemed banished
for that night, the aunt and the newly
arrived station-keeper enjoying their pipe
in quiet harmony a little apart from the
rest. The next morning the second man
was offered to the aunt, by George, as a
substitute for Cora but as the Kenyon's
Station keeper had offered himself to her
as husband earlier in the day, the sub
stitute was declined. Neither George nor
the second man, however, seemed disap-
pointed; indeed, there was something
suspicious about the readiness with which
he went to work on the halffinished cor
raj at the station.
That night they all sat out under the
trees together; there was no more reserve
of secrecy maintained A dozen papers
of the choicest brands of tobacco, and a
half dozen bottles of Colorado River
water" from Fort Yuma, had wonderfully.
Modified the step-father. As soon as pos
sible, a Justice of the Peace was imported
from Arizona City. to which place he was
faithfully returned, after having made two
couples one each at Gila Bend.
Many months after, on my way back
from Tucson, we came quite unexpected
ly, between the latter place and Sacaton.
on a new shanty. 1t was built of unhewn
logs of cottonwood and mosquite-trees.
the branches with their foliage furnishing
the roof. A certain cheerful, home like
air about the place made me surmise the
presence of woman. was not mista-
ken; for, though the only door of the hut
was closed, and l could see no window,
loud pleasant treble voice rang out direct
ly: "Dad-Bud! come right hy'ere to
me. | know that's her comm. thar;
jest know it is" and little, 1.-THE body
rushed out of the door and up to the sms
bulance. A rough looking man came
slowly from behind the house. and Bud,
CONCLUDED ON FOURTH PAGE.