Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-11-18

confession. and the brother was out
looking after a stray yearli1g. AL
osine Ponpon was the elder of two sis
ters. The younger, Seraphine, had
some two years before left the parental
home with n gallant young husband,
and was now comfortably settled over
at Coulcc Crochc.
This marriage of the more youthful
| sister had been q severe blow at AlO-
sine, for she had always been lod to
believe that suitors were bound to take
the older daughter first. The bridal
party, mounted on their little Creole
tackles, and followed by wagon of
household goods had hardly disap-
peared behind knoll in the prairie
than she burst into a passion of tears.
and refused 20 be comfortcd. From
that day she formed resolution that
If she died an old maid it would not be
her fault She was, perhaps, a little
too tall aud angular 20 attract many of
the fastidious young men, and her un-
disguised Efforts TO capture gallant
were perhaps too much for the gay
beaux OF the prairie. BE this as Il
may, few ever stopped at the house
longer than time enough to water their
| hpioto VI Adht ~ cup vi tNltff tNttHls
perhaps, Alcck Harris. Tie had been
over often, and had spent whole after
moons with her brother talking over
stock matters and the improvement Of
grasses
Alosnc had nurtured warm senti-
ment for the young man, and when he
was IN the house invariably managed
TO be in the Same room. She thought
she saw signs of reciprocated feeling
frequently, and now that he had come
over at time when she was alone she
was sure there was but one object to
his mission. On his approach she had
dartcd into hcr room. given a hurried
twist 20 her back hair and encircled
herncck with a flaming red ribbon, so
that when he reached the steps she
looked at her best.
"Bouota is not here, is hep" asked
the bold rider as he took n seat.
"Non; hce go long time, yes. An
ow yo doc, Sieur HarecscP Iii opes yo
weol, and Alosine proflercd him a
glass Of water.
"Oh, I'm very well, mamselle," ani
he swallowed the water as only
thirsty man can. "Im very sorry
Boucta is gone, for came over here
on very important business. Tho
truth is, wanted to ask him n qucs-
ton in which you yourself are some
what Interested. "
The sunlight danced on the prairie
swells. The blossoms of the wild in
digo and the tall stems of the rushes
in the waterholc away of beyond the
corncrib seemed TO trcmble with de-
light Roscatc hues tinted the cumu-
lous clouds and the plaintive whistle
of the "killdec" overhead became the
vOluptuous notes Of the mockingbirl.
Alosine had been looking forward TO
this moment for the last twenty years,
and now it had come. All! how noble
that NJ sieu Harcesc looked now. Such
strength, such dash, such manly beau.
ty. Her heart almost choked her. Its
pulsations were rapid and strong.
IL ham ware sorrcc dat he ham
gone, Sicur Harccse," she was Just
able to say. ''Ect was so good oh yo
70 to come"
"Oh, don't mention that. mamselle
have becn thinking over this matter
for n long time, and 1 must confess
that l was little afrail Of speaking to
you about it. thought would see
Boucta iirst.n
As Alosine looked at Aleck Harris
now the tears welled up into her eyes.
She had seen his comfortable house on
the prairie and had very fair idea of
his herd. Even while he was talking
she could fancy herself seated in the
big rocking-chair on the gallery of the
Harris home, dressed in pink aud
white calico. with a breastpin of impOs-
ing size glistenihg in her bosom. She
had longed for these things all her life
"Yeesl Sieur Hareese, my brudder
he ware nice to me all dc time, han &c
kno, what ee like, hi like" Then she
thought that if Sieur Harccse did not
wait for her brother n day would be-
lost, and in such affairs a day means
an eternity. So, holding her sunbon-
net before her face jus, low enough TO
permit her big black eyes to peer over
the edge, she said "SpOsc mi brud-
der no come tell dc ccbcnng, weci yo
tax seat han wait 70 imp
Il can't wait. You see, I've got to
decide to-day
She was sure the eventful hour had
arrived. She looked intO the open
door at the front room. Surely the
"Harccse" house was bettor than this
She knew of his cnrpcted floors, mar
blc-top tables and handsome pictures,
and she yearned to become their mis-
tress. She resolved 10 draw him out
at once.
" "Alcck," it was the first time she
had ever pronounced that name aloud
and she trcmblcd at her audacity, but
she must 90 on. "Aleck, hi woOed be
much 'bliged ef We wooed speak to me
jus like ye wooed speak 10 mi brudder.
Wat you want 70 hask i'm yo can hask
me. Eet will be hall de same"
Aleck Harris looked up into her face
squarcly and frankly. He had not the
slightest suspicion Of what had caused
those desp bushes and bright sparkle
in those eyes. He was a mere babe IN
such matters
"Well, II | must, why must, but
would much prefer talking to your
brother. You know how hard II Is 10
move a woman when her affections are
concerned. and | confess haven't
much faith in moving you. Alosine
whispered almost inaudibly: "Yo
must not say dat THE truth is old
man Fagot, over on the bayou, has
offered me his fast mare, that he
bought in New Orleans. for one hum
dred dollars Now, | know how much
you like that pet horse Of yours, but
prefer him TO Fagot's, and came over
to see whether you would sell. If
Boucta was here l know / could make
a trade
The young lady was looking him
now squarely in the eye. With every
word he uttered her face grew paler
and paler AT last she could stand Il
no longer.
"Sieur Hareesc! Stop right dare. /
hall de time links 80 one gentleman