Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-04-05

Of whispers in her school, hints from Randy
Thompson, aud the silonces Of Mrs. Holmes
quite escaped her. He did not appear Hei
breath by degrees grew freer, and she
turned again 70 tho simple pleasures OF ex
istence 10 find they were taken from her
II she coaxed Toddles to rock on her LAP
Mrs. Holmes had an errand with him out Of
the room. Her host looked at her with a
puzzled expression and stinted his usual
cordiality. She met Adam and Nose Guy
once or twice, and their curious insolence
brought fire into her eyes.
There were such scnces Mt table that
her food chotcd hor. II was no longer
Randy's pleasure 10 wait ON the pretty
creature whom she considered such a child,
and 10 sit in Ph1be's room when every
body else was In bed, telling neighborhood
traditions. No one wanted her 10 do any
thing for him. An invisible circle OF sep
aration was drawn around her. Twice she
walked TO the farmhouse where Thorney
was hired, 10 make sure that no harm had
befalleu him, and enjoy his unthinlting
companionship. Mrs. Holmes spent an aft
ernoon with Miss Fawcett, and brought not
the slightest message from one girl 10 the
other. "And I liked her 80, )" thought Phoebe.
"And she was so kind TO mo-" Gurley
called, and Mrs Holmes gently devoted her
self TO his entertainment. Also, whatever
latent solicitude she felt for her distant
cousin, Milton McArlle, now became active.
His readings with Phmbe were in some way
overrulod. She stayed much in her own
room Nhcn she camc out she carried
herself with helpless defiance.
81 will 80 10 Mr.. Barlcr,m she resolved,
/ lying awake at night crushed under her in
visible load, sand tell him all about Thanc.
He may have mercy ON me; I'm not wanted
here.m
"Thcrc's talk goin round the ncighbor-
hood Randy reluctantly volunteered, once
when the girls face touched her. Talk had
never gone around the neighborhood about
herself and this enabled her TO state the
fact severely.
"Yes suppose there is," said Phobo.
"DOE't you carel" demanded Randy.
"Would my caring stop itir
II might stop some things.n
don't think II wOus@,n said Phpbc.
Randy fixed her eye In dismay upon so case
hardened person.
Folks don't like the lools,n she further
revealed. Mrs. Barker, she seen him,
too.m
" Mrs. Barker is not talking about met"
Every body is How can they help iti'
They can't help It," replied Phmbe,
bearing her head erect and undisturbed into
privacy. There she hid II under her bed
clothes, lmeeling by the bed and clcnchng
the mattress with her teeth while she
stormcd and sobbcd alone
That day, however, she prepared her note
for iir. Barker saying:
"Nou know when you got me this school.
Mr.. Barker. that was girl without friends,
and you vouched for my character. There
Is a sore truth in my mind and know great
tales are going around the neighborhood
As far back IA Thorney and | can remember,
Thane White, our elder brother, has been a
criminal Many people have boen kind TO
me, or | could never have got on and kept
Thornoy out Of his hands We lived any way
we could and in many places. o. ~ was
nurse TO some children Ia q nice fanlu,, au1
the lady taught me almost like a daughter,
until Thanc, as usual, shadowed me, and
drove me of by attempting 10 make thiefof
Thorney. Thorncy was at work near me.
The boy is not rs bright as some boys, but
he is all my family, and he likes me could
not have him turned wicked. and Thames
deeds are more horrible than can tell At
first pitied Thane. and tried 10 help him.
He always took our earnings; he wants
them yet | don't feel kin 10 him / could
let all my blood run out II that would free |
me from the relationship
"Thanc has followed us here. II doesn't |
socm any use 20 run from him. and he has |
all the advantage when | turn on him. |
There Is nothing ahead Of me, young no [ |
am, because he can rcsch out and spoil |
whatever co. have thought over these /
things until they break me down. MAY I /
come 10 your house and ask advice Of Mrs. |
Barker and youi Though thoro is talk in
the neighborhood l can not help feeling you
arc both friendly toward me. He was in
I fa.,lr
you. II you can send some word TO the
school-houso l shall be-as have been this
year past yours grateful for many kind
nesses. PH1BE WHITE"
This message was intrusted 10 the hands
Of boy V'do could not read script, and who.
as reward for his services, was deliverSl
from school an hour before dismissal He
lived near Mr.. BarlScr's house, and was
charged not 10 lay the paper out Of his hands
until Mrs. Barker should receive It from
him at her door; and his delighted heels
at first spurned tho dead leaves with true
zeal But he saw Painter tramping along
the edge Of the hollow, and being a boy he
could not help feeling the leaf-mold for
chip, stuck or stone, and having found
shrunken walnut, whizzed il after the her
nit Painter turned; so tho boy was
obliged 10 dodge behind tree and slIulk
"'-i "iAN ~ " AAANNN'i III AoAloNllk UP MS
game, for he was not the boy 10 turn his
back in the midst Of sport Other shrunken
walnuts thumped the ground about Painter
or pclted him right heartily. He concluded
TO come after his assailant; 50 Just as tho
boy laid the note down 10 break promising
clod into handy chunks, the shaggy man
lowered directly over him. He was away
like darting hornet The note, out Of
hand, was out Of mind, until Barkers cabin
appealed 10 both memory and invention;
and the boy spent the rest Of his hmeward
Journey building a plausible tale about the
documents fate.
Phoebe sat still after the last pupil was
gone, dreading 20 60 home. Perhaps she
hoped Mr.. Barker might come 10 her di-
rectly on the receipt Of her message: and
when the schUolhouse door opened, IL was
his momentary expectation which lii her
'yes, and left them as suddenly as life dies
rom spark McArdle tiptoed in.
HIS pale skin had taken an eager glow
rom tho exercise Of walking up hill. lie
ave her propitiating smile, and csmo for
ward, removing his gloves. '
Il came here instead Of seeing You at the {
Iouse," said McArdlc, ''because have {
omething very particular 10 say"
"Sit down." responded Phoebe. patiently. T,
THANK you, prefer to stand" said Nc.
Ardle, leaning one arm on her desk and q
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