Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-04-17
No; it was cold and uncomforta.

"Are you going to live in it aloneT
asked the old man, turning his head, a
if ashamed of the question.
Cant tell yet. But there goes thu
Berry Hunter. and want to see her. >
And he dashed down to the waters
edge, hailed her as she was passing il
her canoe, jumped in, and was padded
away toward one of the little island.
that lined the shore. flashing with theiI
dense foliage like emeralds set in 6
changing sheen of turquoise.
There goes man to his ruin" NUT
tered the old trapper sorrowfuliy, as he
took up his rifle.
Often had he intended to warn Esta
lez, but he was his superior. and. in
firm OF purpose, he put off the evil day
But the young man gave little heed te
the words he had spoken. From the
moment he had seen the Indian girl al
other thoughts were banished from hi.
mind. With her light canoe dancing
over the waters, and dressed with fal
more than ordinary brilliancy-with
scarlet flowers woven in the heavy
braids of her intensely black hair. with
her eyes lighted at the sight of him she
loved, and from whom she hoped SC
much--with smile upon her face and
sweet words of welcome upon her red,
ripe lips, it would have been strange il
| it had been otherwise.
The little island reached, they moored
their canoe, and wandering away from
the shore and completely out of sight as
well as hearing, seated themselves upon
the short and velvet-like grass, mosaiced
by myr ads of tiny flowers.
"How beautiful you look to-dayr'
said Carlos, as he took her hand within
his own.
"Is the daughter of the red man as
fair in the eyes of the pale-face as those
| of his own people9' asked the girl,
raising her eyes SO as to look him fully
in the face.
There are few as handsome as you
are. know thousands that would give
all they have for your figure and eyes
and hair"
"But they are like snow, and the
daughters of the Aburanians are as
brown as the hillside when the Mani
tou of the Frost has brcathed upon it. "
"Pshaw! you are the fairest of all
your tribe. You know that I have often
told you of Pocahontas. doubt if she
was rs white as YOU"
"And yet was looked up to by the
pale-faces?''
"Yes; went to England, married one,
and lived in such splendor rs you never
dreamed Of
Never before had Esta!ez fully deter
mined upon his plan of action. Now
he had made up his mind to win her at
all hazards, and throwing his arms
around her waist he drew her to his
side, whispered burning words of love,
and for the first time kissed her. And
thus they sat-she loving and dazzled
by the splendor he promised should be
hers when he returned to civilization,
and he forgetful of all but the passion
of the hour. With the declining sun
they returned to the shore promised
man and wife, though as yet no time
had been fixed upon. That was a sweet
decision left for the future.
The old trapper, Pedro, saw them as
they landed-saw their parting. 1t was
such an one as lovers have INDUCED in
since Eden, and will until the end of
time. He saw the tender embrace,
could almost hear the kiss, and resolved
to be reticent no longer. .
Il want you to tell me one thing.
Carlos he said, as they sat by their
bright campfire, smoking, after late
supper.
'.Well, Pedro, what is it?"
''Do you intend to marry that pretty
berry hunter?'
.'Why? will it make any difference to
yo?"
Certainly not, but it will to you, if
| don't miss my reckoning, and l am
not apt to do it when there is anything
of the present nature about the matter.
I've lived too long among the Indians
not to know them thoroughly"
"Well, intend to marry her."
"You had better not. She's just as
dangerous and treacherous as pois-
oned serpent, if she is fooled with"
"What makes you think so?'
What would make me think there
was snake around if saw her glide,
or a beaver if l saw her dam? l al
ways know what kind of an animal is
dDOul Vic IlONlCul Sct tuc I1A
"You are much mistaken about her,
Pedro, she loves me 70 distraction"
Every likely, now; but | reckon it
won't always be so. You don't expect
to remain in these woods until you
dep
NO, thank Heaven: another twelve
months will see me clear of them for
ever"
''And what are You going to do with
the Berry Hunter when you leave?"
''What makes you ask such ques-
tion?'
ITO know whether you are going to
take her to your home when you leave
this locality"
"No, don't intend to. Hundreds
have married-the ceremony is only
mere farce-marred squaws before and
left them whenever they pleased"
'And you intend to do the same by
Berry Hunter?'"
Certainly. Do you think l would
be fool enough to take home wife like
Berry Hunter?' Oh! no-not by any
means"
Then you had better change your
tactics and leave the Indian girl hon.
orably alone. That is all have got to
say, and--what in the name of thunder
was that?''
His quick ear had heard slight rust
ling IN the bushes. and in a moment af-
ter there was a plunge in the lake.
1T was only a cussed OTTER" he con-
tinued, as he proceeded to arrange the
wood upon the fire.
An otter? How quickly he would have
changed his mind if he had seen the
form of berry Hunter" as she crawled
uOnn tho ShOro az q liftla u;stopca oDd