The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-10-12
Agnes, the Indian Girl.


aAn Indian girl !" said Helen Dick
son, with little scream. Dear me
1 never expected to see anything like
this, even in the Far West.
1t was spacious, roomy kitchen, fur
nished with an odd intermingling Of lux
ury, privation and make-shift. AT one
end a large fire of walnut and pine logs
roared up the great eavernous chimney
at The other, twoor three girls sat around
a table, working worsteds by the light
of a solar lamp, while Ralph Davenant
the farmer, lay fast asleep on the chintz-
cushioned lounge, lulled by the continu-
GUS rushing sound Of the great western
river that bounded one extremity of his
domains
Guy Davenant sat near the girls
tall, splendidly moulded young Apollo
of the forest, with shady hazel eyes, and
hair curling in black, silky rings all over
his head He looked up quickly as Miss
Dickson spoke
agnes Oscawanda4' he exclaimed.
I'm the outer kitchen2 Why don't the
women tell her to come in2"
ssGuyl" reproved his sister. "An In
dian interpreters daughter I"
Helen ought to see her" urged Guy,
ssShe's as beautiful as a statue"
s'But she is old Oscawanda's daughter
and she lives down by the falls"
''What then She is as intelligent
and cultivated as nine out of ten of the
girls around here Cali her in / say, or
I'll go out there myself.
Julia Davenant rosewith a curl to her
lip, and opening the kitchen door, beck
onedhaughtilyto tall, slight igurestand-
ing by the fire beyond
"Come in, Agnes" cheerfuIly called
out Gay as if to atone for his sisters
evident lack Of courtesy, and Agnes Os-
cawanda entered, moving with the slow,
yillowly grace of a bending reed
She was dark, but not darker than
many d abrunette of unblemished Saxon
lineage, with liquid, velvety soft eyes,
raven black hair, looped in heavy braids
at the back OF her head, and delicate,
oval face, with features straight and
pure as the outlines of a Greek model.
Her dress was lof some dark worsted
stuff, with scaldet shawl folded across
her shoulders, and silk scarf was
twisted about her hair. She hung her
head with evident embarrassment at
Helena Dickson's bold stare.
81 only came to bring Mr.. Davenant
the baskets he. ordered of my father, "
she said, in a low voice.
But sit down and rest few min
.,.es : sod -ti+alx ssYou have walked a
long distance
Agnes Oscawanda hesitated Had
Guy Davenant's sisters confirmed the re-
quest, she would gladly have rested a
little. But Julia and Clara sewed on,
without looking up, ahd Helena's super
cilious glance called the red blood to her
dark cheek.
NO, she said quietly,sI must 60.
sThen I will walk paSt of the way
with you, said Guy, jumping up for his
hat
81 don't think Agnes has accustomed
herself to an escort through these
woods, said Julia, rudely.
sIndeed / am not afraid said the In
terpreter's daughter
Afraid 1t isn't a question Of fear, =
said Guy. oIt1s alovely starlight night,
and would like the walk
The three girls eyed each other as the
door closed behind the Indian girl and
her companion.
every polite to rush off and leave
Helena in that sort Of way" said Clara,
lsthe first night Of her visit here
"Oh don't care" said Helena, gig
Cling. "a mere matter.o of taste I am
sure"
.sITs just like Guy" said Julia. Sag
mes Oscawanda is well enough, / dare
say, but she is only an Indian girl, and
lit is foolish to get her into the notion of
expecting the same attentions that we
receiven
Meanwhile Mr.. Guy was walking
along the dreary forest paths with the
beautiful young daughter of the Indian
interpreter.
@Not that care for Agnes, though
she is pretty enough to turn any mans
head" thought the willful young man,
s'but I'll teach those girls to treat her a
little more civilly. What right have
they to bully and insult herl l won't
have it
And so, although Miss Dickson had
been invited to make visit to the West
ern wildernesses, specially to carry out
a darling design of Julia and Clara
Davenant, that "match" should be
struck up--or, perhaps, .'ignited" would
be the proper term between her and
their brother Guy, the young gentleman
persisted In treating her with nothing
more than regulation civility.
ssItss too mean, said Clara, pouting.
stWhen Helena has such nice little
property Of her own, too, added Julia.
And Helena, herself, who was getting
into the sere and yellow leaf of maiden
hood. curled her hair and anolnted her
cheeks with : Rose-bloom more vigor-
ousIy than ever, for Guy Davenant was
q husband well worth angling for.
aBut you'll ask Agnes 0scawanda to
your picnic party, girls"
aIndeed we shall notl" Julia Dave
nantanswered, with atossof her naughty
head. can Indian girl" What would
people sayl"
ssThen / shan't come to it !" said Guy,
Independently.
Julia burst into tears.
aGuy, you are too hateful for any
thing And Helena thinks SO much of
the picnic.
stNot enough, it seems, to treat
harmless, pretty girl with ordinary de-
cencv. said Guy, angrily "She passed
Agnes yesterday, in the road without
even speaking to her