Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-18

and irregular But lie had determined
to reform row, for he loved this fair
maiden with no heeting 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
gagel We don't want none o your kind
herel What if your young one is sick
an like to die-it1lbe good riddance to
bad rubbish, Go home to some Of your
Big Medicine Men an let them chatter
their gibberish over him, You shan I
get noth'n' here, so so long. Leave, l
say, or I'll set the dog on YEP
Amy Armand opened the door and
looked out. A few rods away, crouching
amid the knottcd buiralo-grasS, was the
Indian girl she had noticed on the night
of her arrival-Gay Feather. She had a
lite papoose with her-not strapped on
her back as was the custom-but carried
teuderly in her arms, Its small face was
wasted and paia-drawn, Poor Gay
Feathers own face was haggard with
anxiety.
She sprang to her feet as Amy ap
preached her, and, uttering brief ex'
ciamation 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 he,
doorstep. She gave a shrill, unpleasant
laugh: ''To think o. you a-talkin' te
her." she muttered, with significance
that was quite lost on Amy. And with
that she went in, banging the door after
her.
''Is the baby s'ckf" continued Amy.
Gay Feather seemed to hesitate before
answering. Yet somehow, Amy's SYM
pathetic face and voice exerted a magic
influence.
''Yes, papoose very sick-him die"
she said, at last, with pathetic brew
ICY.
''Oh, maybe not! He has fever,
see. You want medicine for himw
Gay Feathers face brigtened. ''Yes, !"
she said. "But agents squaw say No, I,
She drove poor Indian away, Me be-
lieve Great Father at Washington not
know what devil agents wife isw and
there was an angry flash from the dark
eyes.
Amy Armand was the eldest Of large
family. She was used to children and
chi.dren's diseases, lie practiced eyes
saw at once what the baby needed, and,
after asking few questions, she ran into
tn cabin, and going to her medicine
chest. drew from it the required drugs.
These, together with few sim le direc-
tons, she gave to Gay Feather, aud 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-
ary oblivion. But even the dreariest
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
des0lation. With the coming Of the
spring sunshine, the scrubby grass
msltcd into thick carpet, dotted here
and there with the gorgeous blue, scar
let aud 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
storm and isolation-a horror that daily
in reasCd. RumOrs came that the In.
diaus on ths neighboring reservation,
rebellious after the long winter of de-
privation. and conscious that they had
been shameIully cheated by the dishonest
agent, were now, like hungry wolves,
getting ready to spring forth upon their
opprcss sors. AS yet they were silent
but it was that sullen. ominous silence
which precedes a storm, But hero and
there council-ires 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 a fit companion
for his coarse spouse, lie was an igno
rant, rough fellow, wholly unprinciplcd
in his dealings with the Indians. To
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,n and begged that he
would have the feeble garrison rein.
forced.
The fact was, the station at Amcrilla
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. II was not
without misgivings that he left Amy
behind. Well trained soldier that he
was, he sniffed danger from afar.
Good by. sweetheart" he said, at
parting. Take good care Of yourself.
swear somehow dread TO leave YOU
But cheer up, When | come back,
will see il l can't get stationed at some
larger post; it will be far safer and more
pleasant for vou