The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-03
Agnes, the Indian Girl.
81 HELEN FoRREsr oRAvEs

BY HELEN FORREST GRAY Is
"An Indian girl p said Helena Dick
son, with little scream. dear me
never expected to see anything ike
this, even in the Far West."
Ii was a spacious, rOOmy kitchen, fur /
nished with an odd intermiDgling of
luxury, privation and make-shift. At
one end a large fire Of walnut and pine
logs roared up the great, cavernous
chimney at the other, two or three
girls sat round a table, working worst
eds by the light Of solar lamp, while
Ralph Davenant, the farmer, lay fast
asleep on the ehintz-cushioned lounge,
lulled by the continuous rushing sound
of the great western river that bounded
one extremity of his domains.
Guy Davenant sat near the girls-s
tall, splendidly nodded 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 Oscawanda 90 he exclaimed.
''In the outer kitchen? Why don't the
women tell her to come ingn
"Guy ~ reproved his sister. "An In
dian Interpreters daughter %
Helena ought to see her." urged
Guy. "She's as beautiful as a statue"
"But she is old Oscawands's daugh-
ter, aud she lives down by the falls.n
"What then? She is as intelligent
and cultivated as nine out Of ten Of the
girls around here. Call her IN, say, or
I'll go out there myself"
Julia Davenant rose with curl to
her lip, and, opening the kitchen door,
beckOned haughtily TO a tall, slight
figure standing by the fire beyond.
"Come in, Agnes" cheerfully called
out Guy, as II to atone for his sisters
evident lack Of courtesy, and Agnes Os-
cawanda entered, moving with the slow,
willowy grace Of a bending reed.
She was dark, but not darker than
many a brunette of unblemished Saxon
lineage, with liquid, velvety, soft eyes,
raven black hair looped ia heavy braids
at the back Of her head, and q delicate,
oval face, with features straight aud
pure as the outlines OF a Greek model
Her dress was Of some dark worsted
stuff, with 8 scarlet shawl folded across
her shoulders, and silk scarf 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 low voice.
But sit down and rest a few min
long distance"
Agnes Oscawanda hesltated. Had
Guy Davenants sisters confirmed the
request, she would have gladly rested a
little. But Julia and Clara sewed on
without looking up, and Helena's super
cilious glance called the red blood to her
dark cheek.
"No," she said quietly. "I must CO."
"Then I will walk part Of the way
with you" said Guy, jumping up for
his hat.
Il don't think Agnes has accustomed
herself to an escort through the woods"
said Julia, rudely.
Indeed / am not afraid" said the in
terpreter's daughter.
afraid It isn't a question Of fear"
said Guy. It's a lovely starlight
night, and I would like the walk"
The three girls eyed each other as the
door closed behind the Indian girl and
her companion.
"Very polite to rush of and leave
Helena in that sort of way" said Clara,
"tbe first night of her visit here"
"Oh, / don't care" said Helena, gig
Cling. "a mere matter oftaste, = M sure"
ITS just like Guy" said Julia.
Agnes Oscawanda is well enough, /
dare say but she is only an Indian girl,
-
ton OF expecting the same attentions
that we receive"
Meanwhile Mr.. Guy was walking
along the dreary forest paths with the
beautiful young daughter Of the Indian
interpreter.
mot that / care for Agnes, though
she is pretty enough to turn any mans
head" thought the willful young man
"but I'll teach those girls to treat her a
little more civilly. What right have
they to bully and insult her? / won't
have it."
And so, although Miss Dickson had
been invited 20 make a visit TO the
Western wildernesses, specially TO carry
out darling design Of Clara and Julia
Daveuant, that "a 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.
"lGs too mean,n said Clara, pouting. /
When Helena has such a nice little /
property OF her own, too" added Julia.
And Helena herself, who was getting
into the sere and yellow leaf Of maiden
noou, curled her hair, and anointed her
cheeKs with ~ "Rose-biOom" more vigor-
ously than ever, fol Guy Davanant 1vas
husband well worth the angling To-
"But you'll ask Agnes Oscawand. -
your picnic party, girls ?'i
Indeed We shall notW Julia Dava-
nant answered, with a toss of ~
naughty head. "An Indian girl Vbs,
would people say ?"
Then 7 shan't come toitr' said Guv. |
Independently.
Julia burst into tears.
Guy, you are too hateful for any,
thing. And Helena thinks so much Of
the picnic"
'Not enough, it seems, to treat
harmless, pretty girl with ordinary de-
cency," said Guy, angrily. "She passed
Agnes yesterday in the road without
even speaking to her,"
do you expect US TO receive her on
an equality with ourselves" "'
81 do not know why you should not"
was the brusque reply.