Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-10-04


ing to notice my forlorn aspect, and
said:
IL have never been inside this grand
aid church which you love so dearly.
viii you show it to me?'
Like some penitent | led the way.
We paused before pictures rare and old,
OF saints, angels, and martyrs. l
averted my face as he looked upon st.
Cecilia. Suddenly he asked:
"Why did you leave so abruptly. and
why did find you walking on those
cruel thorns?n
looked down and said:
81 was playing penitent."
We had paused before the Madonna.
There was tremOr in my voice, but |
answered almost deliantly:
you all left me Il wanted to sit
next you at the table"
Then my tears fell fast, and put my
small lace-bordered handkerchief
which | had chosen IN the happy hours
of preparation for the dinner party, TO
my eyes.
His voice was kindly, and | felt sure
his eyes grew tender as he said:
your father and mother were en-
gagged in their duties as host and host
ess, and ! few weeks ago received a
letter from my old-time friend Mr..
Bell, who in the spring is to marry
Miss Ames' (my heart beat joyfully),
''asking me TO make her visit here
pleasant. on are too impulsive. Your
father and mother love you, and i"
AT this moment the church door was
pushed open, and on the stone floor
was the sound Of awkward, uneven
steps. They approached quickly. My
handkerchief was removed from my
eyes. | opened them just in time to
see John swallow it. He craned his
long neck and brought first one and
then the otter of his small black eyes
To bear on me. then on DR.. Warner, as
much as TO say: NV hat is the trouble?"
1t was so funny that we both laug he'd.
| was only too glad OF an excuse to
be merry. | was very happy.
Il had forgotten for II few moments
what brought me here" said DR.. War
ner. The Indians are on the war
path. About o'clock this evening
party Of soldiers are going in pursuit
of them. accompany them"
He led me to the carriage, helped me
in, and took II seat beside me- John
seated himself beside Michael, and we
rode homeward
Hasty preparations were being made
at the garrison when we reached there.
At that evening the soldiers, accom-
panied by their surgeon, left. | had
listened attentively rs TO the route they
were TO take. When the sound of the
retreating horses died away / turned
to Nano, a Mexican boy, and said:
Saddle my two ponies and you and
| will have a ride
Nano joyfully did as babe him. In
half an hour we were riding away.
After the heat of the day, how CRATE
full the cool evening. Flowers folded
away from the sun, children of the
sand, opened their eyes for me. Nano
and ! rode along in silence.
Through my mind hoated many
times; Your father and mother loves
you. and i" What did he mean?
Was it possible that he loved me-?
Why had dear old John come just at
that moment? Should / ever hear
that sentence finished? Then ! thought
of the cruel treacherous Indians In
my life on the border lands | had seen
many brought home, slain by our
duslIy neighbors.
The full moon was shining. Nano
interrupted my musings by saying
that the huge cacti looked liked giants,
and he could kill one or two with his
knife.
The wind, which was blowing from
us. suddenly veered. | heard distinct
~ the sound of the horses hoofs bear
ing our soldiers. They were quite
near, but going from us. | bent my
face upon my pony's neck and said a
little prayer for their safety, then said
to Nano, as | looked at my watch and
found it was 10 O. clock:
ut is time to return"
AS | was wheeling Brownie, my
pony, around | grew faint with terror
at what / saw. From behind the tall
cacti sprang at least "a dozen indians
Like demons they looked in their war;
paint and feathers. They had knives
and clubs and strange looking objects
dangling from their belts. They
dragged Nano from his pony, and
then | felt myself torn from Brownie.
/ had clasped my arms around her
neck.
There were "a few dry, .wretched
trees growing out of the sand. They
tied Nano to one with strong leather
bands. Then they tied me with an
other. The moon looked coldly down
right in my agonized face. The In
dians gathered dry twigs and leaves
and grass, and laid them about our
feet.
After one wild cry Nano was silent.
l think he tainted. In the moment OF
terror when expected to pass through
the dreadful gateway Of fire / thought
OF father and mother OF dear old John.
but nearer and dearer still thought Of
the blue-gray eyes dearer than all
other eyes.
The Indians. sure OF their victims,
left us 10 gather fuel for the sacrifice.
1.-The inconstant moon" never cried
ert TO save us. but 1.-The tickle. fitful
wind" came screaming from the
desert and cried; This. shall not
be-" It famed the pale, dark checks
of Nano; 1t caressed my forehead, and
gave me last fond kiss.
/ saw an Indian approach with a
lighted torch. Then. "a if in anger.
the wind gave one horrible blast 1t
tossed my LONG black hair which had