Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-01-22

eagerly. Then she went out and tried
TO eat her supper; but the first mouth
full choked her. and tears sprang into
her eyes. She again entered the tent
and seated herself by hor fathers side.
He was shivering now, his teeth fairly
chattering, and Bessie brought n pile
OF blankets from the wagon and spread
them over him. and once more resumed
herlonely watch beside her fathers rude
bed.
The sun slowly sunk behind n dim
line Of wooded hills, and IA gray twi-
light settled over tho broad prairie.
Still Bessie sat by her fathers side
holding his hand In hers. Presently
the chill wore off and burning fever
set in. The sick man uttered low
moan. opened his eyes. and gazed
blankly about him.
Bessie he said, strange. wild
look in his eyes, 81 II hear them COM
ing They are going TOTO kill me.
We must leave here They want this
claim, and If we don't go away they
will kill me!'
"Oh, papaT' exclaimed Bessie, burst
ing into tears. What must / do
what can dop"
Amos Biggs only answered by inco-
herent mutterings, and Bessie buried
her face in her hands and sobbed
aloud.
The twilight deepened across the
broad waste OF prairie, and great,
luminous star burned in the gray wall
OF sky. The sick mans mutterings
| grew more and moro incoherent. He
talked wildly of some one who was
coming to do him harm, while Bessie,
sitting near, a great fear at her heart,
sought to comfort him between her
broken sobs Suddenly she rose to her
feet, strange look of determination on
her childish face. Bending over her
father, she pressed her lips to his burn
ing cheek, and placing her torn straw
hat upon her head, she hurried from
the tent.
She knew that her father was very
i'll and must have help, and rs she
thought OF the Boomers who had
threatened to take his life if he did not
go away, her face paled and her lips
| trembled. Where the Boomers were, of
whom she had so great u dread, she
could not tell. If she could only find
some one who would protect her father
from these dreadful men! She remem-
bered seeing smoke and a number of
wagons far across the prairie TO the
north. II she could only find her way
there, she felt sure she could obtain
assistance.
Night was fast deepening about her
as she sped across the prairie, her lit
tie feet falling noselessly in the grass
as she hurried along. No sound came
to her but the whispering of the low
wind through the rank heritage, and
the occasional sound of some night
bird as it swept by on rapid wings On,
on she sped. the damp grass and weeds
swirling about her ankles, tho saw
briars cutting into her flesh, yet she
uttered no cry of pain nor faltered in
her course.
Once she stepped into a prairie-dog
hole stumbled and fell. but hastily ris-
ing she hurried on. The night grew
darker, and weird, shadowy forms
seemed chasing her through the gloom.
A bunch of sumacs was construed into
n pursuing foe, and the sudden scream
OF prairie owl filled her with n name
less terror, and she ran rs she had never
run before She had gained the top of
little hill. and then she uttered an
agonized cry Of fear and half turned
about, but it was only jack-rabbit
that leaped across the path at her very
feet On, on she ran, fear lending
speed to her flying feet. and few min
utes later, her face white with terror,
she arrived at one of the Boomers
tents and fell fainting in the door.
A little crowd OF Boomers, who were
gathered about the door of the tent dis
cussing the best method of disposing
of the squatter who had dared to settle
on one OF their claims, uttered exclama-
tions OF establishment at the childs APP
pearance.
IA little girlr' gasped Bill Stokes.
his arms and bearing her TO the light
within.
What is itp Wizard she come
fromp' asked half-dozen voices, as
the Boomers crowded around, each
anxious to get peep at the little stran-
ger.
Boys" answered Bill Stokes,
"hits little girl, an she's in dead
faint! Somebody give mo cup of wa
ter"
Here We air." and tin cup, full to
the brim with clear cold water, was ex-
tended TO Bill by one of the men.
Bill deposited the little girl on a pile
OF blankets, and bending over her,
forced some Of the water between her
lips, and was soon rewarded by seeing
her open her eyes. He then bathed her
face and temples, and she presently sat
ep and gazed about her, uttering n little
cry of fear as she saw the strange faces
bending over her.
''Oh, my papa! Where is hep He's
going to die-they are going to drive
him away! she sobbed, tears streaming
down her pale cheeks.
"Why, Of it hain't the squatter's
little girlr' exclaimed Ike Jones, al
seed her thar ter-day when / was CIV
in her father warnin' ter git out. An
she's come all the way through the
darkness
Little un," said Bill, kindly, ''ii
yell jist tell us what's the matter an
whar yer pa is"
Hits the squatter over thar on yer
claim" repeated Ike Jones; IAN j
reckon we'd better go see what's the
matter with him"
"Oh, my papa--my papa! They are
going to kill him If he don't go away,
and he's sick, and Oh, you won't let
them hurt him will youpp