The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-10-06

Alright, and his after-life had been wild
and irregular. But he had determined
to reform now, for he loved this fair
maiden with no fieeting passion, but a
strong abiding affection.
There were times, though, when he
was sent on duty to the fort or to various
trading stations that she could not help
feeling lonely and homeless. Upon a
certain day, during one of these instances,
as she sat in her cabin, striving to
interest herself in book. she heard the
voice of Mrs, Crosse, who lived next to
her, raised in shrill anger.
"You go long, you impudent bag
gage2 We don't want none o your kind
herel What if your young one is sick
an like to die-itllbe good riddance to
bad rubbish Go home to some Of your
Big Medicine Men an let them chatter
their gbbersh over him! You shau't
get noth'n' here, so go long! Leave, |
say, or I'll set the dog on ye"
Amy Armand opened the door and
looked out. A few rods away, crouching
amid the knotted buffalo-grass, was the
Indian girl she had noticed on the night
of her arrival-Gay Feather. She had
little papoose with her-not strapped on
her back as was the custom-but carried
tenderly in her arms. It's small face was
wasted and pain-1rawn. Poor Gay
Feathers own fa<e was haggard with
anxiety.
She sprang to her feet as Amy APP
preached her, and, uttering brief eX
clamation in her native tongue, was
about to move swiftly away But the
young wife laid her white, restraining
hand on the dusky shoulder.
Don't be afraid of me" she said,
gently. "Tell me what you want, and,
perhaps, / can help you"
Mrs. Crosse regarded the two from her
doorstep. She gave shrill unpleasant
laugh. "To think o. you a-talkin' to
her !" she muttered, with a significance
that was quite lost on Amy. And with
that she went in, banging the door after
her.
els the baby sickY" continued Amy.
Gay Feather seemed to hesitate before
answering. Yet somehow, Amy'S sym
pathetic face and voice exerted magic
influence.
"Yes, papoose very sick-him dep
she said, at last, with pathetic brew
ity.
'Oh, maybe not He has fever, l
see. You want medicine for him2"
Gay Feathers face Frightened. eyes, "
she said. "But agents squaw say No
She drove poor Indian away! Me be-
lieve Great Father at Washington not
know what devil agents wife isl" and
there was an angry flash from the dark
eyes.
Amy Armand was the eldest of large
family. She was used to children and
children's diseases. He practiced eyes
saw at once what the baby needed, and,
after asking few questions, she ran into
the cabin, and going to her medicine
chest, drew from it the required drugs.
These, together with few sim, lie direc-
tions, she gave to Gay Feather, and with
a softened, grateful look, the Indian girl
departed.
Winter with its drifting SHOWS and icy
blizzards swept over the plains, burying
the little station at Amerilla in tempor-
airy oblivion. But even the drcariest
season comes TO an end, and presently
Amy Armand awoke to consciousness
that, after all, nature had garments of
beauty with which to clothe this barren
desolation. With the coming of the
spring sunshine, the scrubby grass
melted into thick carpet, dotted here
and there with the gorgeous blue, scar
let and yellow of Western blossoms.
The pale green of the willows stood out
against the darker color of the hills, and
the creek, warm now and limpid, swept
on amid tiowery banks.
But in the midst of this freshness and
beauty was horror greater than that of
storms and isolation-a horror that daily
/ increased Rumors came that the In
dians on the neighbOring reservation,
rebellious after the long winter of de-
privation, and conscious that they had
| been shamelully cheated by the dishonest
agent, were now, like hungry wolves,
getting ready to spring forth upon their
oppressors. AS yet they were silent
but it was that sullen, ominous silence
which precedes storm. But here and
there council-fires lighted up the evening
! shadows, and now and then an Indian
dashed by, and glimpse at his face re-
revealed it dabbled in ochre and yer
million.
But this did not seem to trouble the
agent Job Crosse was tit companion
for his coarse spouse. lie was an igno
rant, rough fellow, wholly unprincipled
in his dealings with the Indians. Tc
him they were as so many dogs, to be
kicked and cursed. lie laughed con
temptuously when some of his more
timid companions limited of war-paint
and "pow-wows," and begged that he
would have the feeble garrison rein.
forced.
The fact was, the station at Amerila
had never been so poorly guarded as
now. Lieutenant Armand, together with
a dozen men, had gone ten miles west
ward to a trading station. 1t was not
without misgivings that he left Amy
behind. Well trained soldier that he
was, he shifted danger from afar.
"Good-by. sweetheart" he said, al
parting. "Take good care of yourself
l swear somehow l dread to leave you