Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1882-09-29
A LITTLE COWARD.

LWHllniHus safety while Agatha Mcriy }
Lnount 3d - liza and rode off triumphant
- down nc avenue.
She was coward. She did not deny
~ and was sometimes very much
ashamed of it. But no one had seemed
mind it until Agatha Merivalo came,
IN her bold, dark eyes aud her dash =.
ways, her riding and hunting; and
rybody admired Agatha so much,
j. a Sir Robert.
- ie almost hated Agathal You see.
Agatha came they had been 50
y at DE Rossett. Little orp'la1
elaine Leigh had never been so
" in her life as here at the hail,
sweet Lady de- Rossett. who was
guardian, and her son, Sir Robert.
~ were so kind and good TO her.
~ petted her and loved her so. And
~ Agatha had come, and for two
eks had monopolizcd Sir Robert, and
1t the house in turmoil of gayety,
laughed ut Lima, aud made her life
tched.
Una maid reported that everybody
Sir Robert was TO marry Miss Mer-
I Pc. Lima made n stern resolve that
would run away from the hall when
4 .J event took place. Run away She
aid run away nowl Not far though
swas too much OF n coward to ven
far into the world alone; but she
fufd go away across the fields to
Aunt Margareps,' rs she called Lady
b Rossctt's widowed sister-n-law, who
ed in a quite comfortable house mile
~yay from the hall
Mrs. Harrington was an invalid, par
iyzed and confined 20 her bed She
as rather n grim cd lady, and most
oero inclined 70 shun her; but sweet.
fright little Lima had won her way into
,he old lady's heart, and was always
Welcome at the lodge.
Yes, she would run away to Aunt
'Alargarets, and perhaps, when she was
missed, Sir Robert might feel mo-
1nents uncashess about her. Selling
her hat and a light shawl, she flew oil
acrOss the park, calling Leo, Sir Rob
crt 5 pretty colley. to 20 with her. Lima
did not like 10 cross the fields alone.
being possessed by a great terror of
bulls; but with Leo she would not mind
much.
Leo was calmly taking nap on the
! front portico, but he started up and
Traced a. icr her with Joyous bark. But
nt the little gate that led from tho park
No the fields Lima was greatly discon-
'cerled by an unexpected encounter
with Sir Robert and Miss Morivale, who
came laughing and talking along the
Taih, both lQokiHg bffeSI and hand
some ~ the golden rays of the setting
San(
She brushed past them with a hasty
good evening" but Sir Robert turned
back to speak to her.
"Where are you going, Lna?n he
asked
no Aunt Magmets,' she an
swcrcd. not looking athim 4 .lfii
Alone, Lima? Are you not afraid?
II YOU will wait little while | will 20
with YOU" Sir Robert said looking
down kindly at the girls flushed cheeks
and ayerled eyes, ~ y %
mo, thanks" b" Lima answered hastily.
81 will not trouble you. Leo will take
care Of ine. And you would be late for
dinner If you Went with mc.n
MAY como for you, then, after
dinner?" Sir Robert asked.
Thanks, | am not coming back.
shall stay all night" was the hurried
answer and Lima turned to CO.
y But Sir Robert detained her for n mo-
it
Lima" ~ said, in a low tone,
"w' at makes YOU avoid me so latelyP
IA have done 20 offend youPn
30 a.sod%er blue eyes hastily to
lus Tor one moment, and then dropped
hem again.
"l have not avoided you," she said,
ia y "You have been very much
ot lpiee with other people. There, |
wi. not dctain YOU
She waved her little hand naughty,
and walked away from him. He watched
the pretty, white-robed figure for a
mon ont, and then Leo came and fawned
ON him.
LEO, Leo!' called Lina's voice.
"Go. Leo" said his master, and the
| obcdient dog trotted of down the path
after the girl. .IF
II was rather dreary at the "Lodgo"
lat evening. Mrs. Harrington was out
nlmor because her agent had failed
all that day TO receive a thousand
pds that she wished him to deposit
Der. And Parkins, her nurse and
gmaid, let the maid servants all 90
b fair in the village, 'where they
certainly get into mischief" Mrs.
'mgton said.
III when Lima had talked 10 her and
her laugh little, she forgot her
nnoes and chatted away very
antly. At ten o clock she declared
mad laughed till she was tired, and
must give her her drops and let
a. 10 sleep.
fherel the spoon is gone. Where
Parkins have put i'll Child, would
mind running down into the pantry
bringing me a spoonP | would ring
Purkins. but she told me she wanted
.et up some muslins this evening,
N would come up MS soon as she had
nished." 4...
1 Lima did not altogether like TO pass
down the long stairs and silent entries
leading 10 the pantry but she went and
leo trotted after her As she stood in
the pantry, looking around for spoons
with no light but a faint CLEAN from the
hall lamp, a sound of low voices caught
her ear.
Tho pantry was on the ground floor,
ts iron.baTred suffered window look
nc into the garden. The sound was
oatside the window, and Lima paused
10 listen. The first word that caught
her startled her
"A thousand pounds and all the old
woman's iewelry and plato!' said a
man voice, in a husky undertone.
~Yes." was the reply, in woman S
.oice--ihe voice, Lima knew, of Park
ms. Mrs. Harrington's model, soft
Diced, lady-like nurse-"and there
son't be any trouble about it, because
Ihaye LET the women 20 away TO stay
All night and sent the gardener on a
iool's errand TO misses Brothers TWEEN
n miles OF. "
I. But this girl that came tonight
Nat about herP' asked the man.
J. on shn will 90 10 her rnnIn nres.