Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-09-18
old miller honl over Ter chair, as she
onlOrod,
MrA Tom IlAnllnH.
Miss lfnlnl lord.

Miss lsabnl Ford
He looked at the namos curlously a
moment and said "iou husband here
lltllo whllo ago, You 10 meet him
when you comeg' and turning back 70
the page boiore, pointed out
Tom u iug Nashville, Tom.
Amy crllnsonod but aald nothing,
''lt lauo you husbandM he persisted.
ayes no i don't know stam-
merod Amy "Come, Bel, wo must
60"
II tlnk you catch him II you mako
haste, said tho mlllor placldly.
They We're u little late al supper that
evening, and found the chair opposite
their own, on whose emptiness they
had congratulated themselves IN tho
morning. filed. Ihu occupant was a
tall young man with genial blue Dyes
and clcar-cut features, formalitles are
blown away In sea broezes, and when
ho had passed tho butter and the cold
meat and Rel had responded with prof
fers Of Jelly, they began to converse
quite as a matter OF course. He said
that he had been at Surlside In the
morning and out rowing in tho harbor
later 10 the day. II was Bel who
answered his remarks Amy sat in
silence, occasionally flashing dark eyes
at the stranger as II wishing to wrest
from him his name and habtation,
"We were at the old mill this after
noon,n she said. with q little abrupt
ness as they were rising from the table.
"lndecd,n no answered politely, "it
is called an interesting old place, be-
lieye, and poor Amy felt that her re-
mark had been made in vain.
"I'd give anything II hadn't begun
IT, she admitted TO her friend as they
mounted tue stairs to their ewn room;
"but Ill carry II out to the end u1w, y
she added, dofantly, III | only knew
who that dreadful Tom Harding wasN
Two OF .hree days gllded by in unc-
yentlul comfort. Mrs. Harding, nee
Morgan, and Miss Ford loitered about
the queer old streets and whled away
pleasant hours in the brc-a-brac shops.
1t was in one Of those that they heard
of a museum kept by a sea-Captain's
widow, and decided to visit il. The
afternoon was rainy and they found the
little room well filed
"Come right in, young women" said
a hospitable voice as they passed in the
door Young man, hand those women
some chairs.
They were seated, and after mo-
ment's pause the lecture went on.
"Barnaile from ships bottom"
said the lecturer, displaying some speci-
mems as she spoke, Of which they form
themselves on tho ships bottom and
prevent ii from sailing
Amy stifel a laugh behind her fan.
and looking around to avoid meeting
her friends eyes, encountered those OF
the young man who sat opposite them
at table. They exchanged glance Of
sympathy and amusement
This said the widow, 'is tho head
dress Of a chiefs daughter worn at
boat-racing, OF which the materials are
found in the palm-tree, and very
beautiful head-dress ii is. VIII thee
put it on, my dearP' addressing Amy.
After u moments hesitaney. Amy
complied, ard the curious structure
proved not unbecoming to her glowing
face and dark eyes.
Behold thy face
And think no Disgrace"
quoted the lecturer, Offering small
hand glass as she spoke
When the exhibition was over, Amy
and her friend fingered to ask q qucs-
ton or two, and were called upon TO
register their names.
''One would think everybody here
kept an intelligence Office" grumbled
Amy, as she again wrote her friends
name and her own balcful title.
And she bade good byeto her Lostoss
IA formalty carefully observed by all
visitors the old lady detained her.
"Where does thee live, my dear?n
she asked, looking kindly at the pretty
young face.
81 am visiting In New York with my
friend Miss Ford, answered Amy with
an attempt to draw Bel into tho conYer-
sation, but the young lady was intent
on some ivory carvings, and turne1 a
deaf ear to the appeal.
as thee q married woman?n next
inquired the old lady.
Poor Amy looked up to find the eyes
of the young man fixed upon her with
decided interest.
"Yes. think So" she said, con-
fusedly and was fain to get away.
"lias thee good husband My
child?"-tut the young man came to
her rescue.
"Good-bye, madaue,N he said, hold,
ing out his hand. Il have enjoyed tho
afternoon greatly"
a am glad thee has, friend, like
thy fa,e, Come again and see me.
What is thy name, so that | may re-
member thee?n
lie cast look of mingled depreca.
ton and amusement at Amy's retreat.
ing figure and answered distinctly:
Harding, Tom Harding, from Tcnnes-
see.n
Amy did not appear at supper .hat
night, and Miss Ford in answer to Mr..
Harding's question said briefly that she
was ;iied
= As they sat in their room that even
lug, they heard the twang Of a guitar
in the parlor below, and snatches OF
song sung in fno baritone voice.
"Oh, we had such treat last night,
Mrs. Harding said one Of the ladies,
meeting h.r on the stairs next morn
ing. "your husbands singing is charm.
ing; we were 20 sorry you were too
tired to join us. "
81 haven't any husband, " criel Amy,
licreely. THAT Il" she added, lamelv,
she isn't here
"Oh, said the lady, with a certain
infection. I'VE all Thought from your
having the same name. and coming
from the same place. aud eating al the
same table, you know. It Is odd, isn't
itP Quite a co'ncidencc One Of your
husbands cousins, / suppose?m she
added, insistently.
"My husband has no cousins said
Amy, and the lady passed on TO conide
10 another guest that she thought
'young Mrs Harding was, TO speak ss
mildly as possible, odd"
Amy said nothing to her friend Of
this encounter, but proposed a visit 70
Wauwinet and C1atue in search Of
shells As they glidcd along over the
blue waters Ia the yacht eil.an. she for