Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-11-04

ing through gate In tho high board
fence which enclosed the derrick and
rough structures about the oil we'll.
Here the stcrn-faccd owner of the
mystery" directing several Of his
men to bind the scout-who calmly
submitted to the indignity, for he saw
Eeisy looking down upon him from a
window In tue rude shanty-then had
his prisoner thrust into tho wcll-house
and left 10 the care OF the workmen.
This altered his mood. SO long, IL
seemed, rs he remained within reach
OF Daisy's mournful eyes he had moth
ing but cheerful acquiesccncc for his
captors, until the rough oil-men, who
knew him and had heard so much of
his cunning and temerity, now laughed
In his face and tauntcd him with hi9
craven submission. But left alone he
turned savagcly upon them with a tor
rent of oaths and shamcd and silenoed
them. Indeed, as the day declined and
only the smoky gas Lighted the we'll
house, he began TO regret the weakness
that had led him to thrust his neck in
TO such moose. When at length the
owner of thc well appeared before him
the scout turned to curse aloud, but
there was q kindlicr look in the mans
eye that stayed his tongue. A word to
one of the men, and the ropes were
loosened from around tho ankles of the
prisoner
"Come with me-" no said, adding.
when they were in tho open air, IL did
not know until Daisy just tod me that
you had decided to give mp watching
us and were going away when came
upon you. l don't understand why
you should have done this, and Daisy
cant make 1t clear. either; but l viii
give your motive the benefit OF the
doubt-that is, l will give you lodging
in the kitchen instead Of the well-house
and such food as we have until IL is
time TO let you go"
The scout had no objection TO make
against this arrangement; he knew.
on the contrary. that il would be fan
moro convenient for him to be captured
and held by the "mystcry" people,
than to have returned without infor.
nation TO his employers SO he placid
ly stretched himself ont on the floor OF
the kitchen.
"Will you let me see Daisy to.mor.
rowp" he asked.
The man frownod at him.
" You see so much of her, you
know" said the scout, pleasantly;
land | don't, and | guess after this
will never see her again"
" Yes, but have right to see her, "
retortcd the other, wondoringly. "Wo
shall see, and he left the room.
And that night the wildcatters along
the creek knew something had happened
TO well No. 8. There was an cxplo sion
Of natural gas at the mystery. The
frail structures within the fence der
rick, engine, well and dwelling house
were all razel to the grounl.
Little Daisy, creeping softly from her
bed aud stopping noiselessly down the
bare stairs, had entered the kitchen
and stood silently, as she had done un-
der the great oak, looking at her big.
slumbrous friend. Suddenly as he had
awakened upon Ossie's grave his eyes
opened and saw her and laughed.
I'm awful sorry" she said.
81 amt, Daisy I'm glad"
"Are you rcallyP"
"Roally."
"rhcn / don't care" She came
nearer and told him in a confidential
whisper that in the morning she would
bring him Ossie's books to looK at;
and then. as the moonlight coming in
at the broken window gave her little
white-robcd form all the radiance Of
an angel, she finally said:
81 must go now Tor | didn't tell any,
one Twas coming down to see you,
not even mamma. But | am in the
little bed in the garrett right up above
you; and we can play that we see each
other through the floor until we fall
asleep" The purest water distilled
on earth had gathered to the eyes of
the scout, when she bent down and
kissed him goodnight.
There, then. he lay, dreamily watch
ing the dismal reflection of the gas
playing upon the walls and ceiling and
blending luridly with tho silver beams
of the moon until, rs the house rocked
under n terrific explosion, he sprang
dizzily 10 his feet, his blood freezing
in his veins. Instantly tho room
filled with smoke, and choked and
gasping he groyclcd on the floor.
There were sounds Of stumbling foot
steps upon the stairs-the hysterical
shrleks OF a woman-an1 then the
loud cries of the men outside mad
dencd him with sudden fear and
nervcd his heart and limbs.
daisy! Daisyr' called tre father.
flinging wide open the door Of the
kitchen.
A current OF air swept across the
floor and revived the scout. With one
bound he cleared the distance to the
stairway door, vainly striving to free
his shackled hands
~ am in the garret right
above you" He remembered the
words, and, with close-set lips and
aching lungs, dashed blindly through
the blister,ng smoke and flame up To
the second landing. His bound hands
touched knob, and the next instant
he had sprung into the room and closed
the door behind him
'Daisy-little Daisyr'
There was a glad cry at the window
and she ran back TO meet him.
81 knew you would come. ] knew
i'll knew IT.
DAISY! Daisy! jump down, we will
catch youl' screamed voices from the
ground below.
Inc scout looked out on the black
smoke and the blazing ruins beneath,
and let his eye rest for moment on
the frantic form of the mother.
Come, Daisy, darling" he said;
A" kiss me. Now climb upon my back
and hold me fast around the neck
There, little one. lean out now and
breathe the air and listen. 49, cit
all right!' he shouted chceriuly to tho
crowd below. "l'll bring her safely
down; only clear the way"
Daisy he said, promise me
you'll make them bury me under tho
oak beside Ossie, and that you'll come
and visit us both AS before will you,
darling?"
"Oh, yes; I'll come every day."
lie leaned down and held his hands
over tongue of fire that shot upw ard
from the window beneath. Tho cords