Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-11-08

golden-rod when this happened, and
Rodney brought her a bouquet OF
iiowers as n betrothal nOsegoy.
II love Them" he said, in his slow.
grave way, passing his large fingers
over them. 'rhey are the bavest,
bonniest flower that any season
knows
Ray was learning TO paint at this
timo, and as his eyes rested on her
easel, Rodney said;
"Will you paint me spray Of my
flowers some time, doarpn
And Ray looked at the blossoms he
had brought, and answered, "Some
day when | can paint well enough, per-
haps. Some day when love you very
much, and want especially TO please
you. Some day when we have quar-
rolled, perhaps, and want to make
up Who knows but what all this
may bep You see the refrain Of my
words Is some day."
"And so, when receive my picture,
II wo have quarreled," he said, still
gravely, carrying out her thought III
shall know there Ia repentance and
hope for q meeting-a little soreness
Of heart for the things that have gone
amiss, a longing for rightingP Shall !
read these things, Raypn
And Ray had answered, balf-laugh-
ing at his serious moods "Iou may
read these things"
There was happy year, and then a
bitter quarrel. No matter why these
two, who loved each other dearly, said
such hard words. Because they did
love each other, they could speak far
more bitterly, Both were stubborn
and proud, and neither would ask the
others pardon. or speak one word
that might lead to a reconciliation,
Two years won't by, and when Engi-
neer Rodney was forced to go TO the
telegraph Office at Glencoe to sign an
important message, Or to receipt for
one, he uttered only short, cold words
of greeting or business, and was au-
swered no less coolly than no spoke.
Ray had learned painting rapidly In
those two lonely years when she felt
I
troublesome thoughts away, Her Of
f,e duties were light, and her brush
was very much in hor hand. And she
stood and painted the ray Of golden
rod, thinking Of her own words and
those Of Rodney on a certain day two
years ago. But the painting was not
for him. One OF the favorite pupils OF
her teacher wGs 10 be married soon, and
the teacher, who thought Rays
skill something marvellous and
her taste fine, had asked her
to paint this spray as little
gift for the bride. Ray thought OF
Rodney as she painted; thought OF him
as she put the finishing touches to the
picture; thought Of him as the paint
ing stood on the easel while the colors
dried. But IL did not enter her head
to send him any sign that she wanted
him. And Rodney had looked from
his engine into low-lying meadows.
and sunny pastures brave with his
flowers. had even got down when there
was waiting-time and plucked great
handfuls of the golden, glowing stuff,
and sighed and been heartsick, but no
thought came to him Of sending Ray
one sigh that he was not content.
- 1t is dry, and l will send IL to Mrs.
Early to-day" Ray said one afternoon,
speaking of the painting. She took it
from the easel, and wrapping IL In
paper, laid II on the desk, saying: Z"
viii let Jack take II 10 her this after
noon" Jack was the messenger boy.
She drew an envelope toward her
and directed it to Mrs. Early. Il was
"A large envelope. such as was used to
cover a certain kind Of train order.
Before she had placed the picture with
, in it, she heard her signal, and push
, ing the directed envelope slightly
aside, she answered the office call. and
presently had written the following
message:
"To ESo'R RODNEY, TRAIS No. is7.
GLENcoE.
Keep your engine well in hand around
Re tbs Ledge. Ram has loosened some rails"
The message was signed by the
superintendent Of the road.
No. 1877 was not due for five minutes.
Ray directed another envelope, and
then somewhat awkwardly folded the
order sheet which was twice as large
as il need have been. Take these two
envelopes" she said to Jack, having
deposited both train order and picture,
"and when 1877 comes, hand the one
directed to him TO Engineer Rodney.
and take the other to Mrs. Early"
Jack took the .wo envelopes aud de-
parted, and Ray leaned back in her
chair and remembered how glad she
used 10 be when Engineer Rodney
came TO the window TO sign for mes
sage.
No. 1877 pulled slowly by Glencoe
without stopping. The engineer
leaned out OF the cab window and
took the envelope from Jacks out
stretched hand. II felt heavy.
"You may sit here a few minutes,
Ned" he said 10 the fireman. who
could run an engine almost as well as
himself He wiped as much smut as
possible from his hands, and drew the
card from the envelope. His eyes
grew soft and humid and his sooty
face shone. His brave flower, perfect |
as those in the meadow yonder, rich |
and golden, and painted by Ray! |
''Some day when love you very much,
and want especially TO please you"
Then II was she was TO send his picture |
OF the golden-rOd And when il was
sent, he was 10 know that there was a |