The National tribune., 1891-12-31

midnight visitor was. But how the mother
OF the child knew where IL was puzzled Ciariss
aud the only way she could account for il was
that the woman must have secretly watched
| her that morning from some secure place in
the timber which even the dogs had failed 10
discover, probably
FROM TIE TOP OF TREE.
Atone end of the pile of rocks that covered
the body of her child aud protected il from the
jaws Of the rayenOus wolves the mother had
affixed two curously- fashioned willow twigs
a trifling circumstance in itself TO the careless
observer, but full Of portent TO one who could
interpret the mystic symbolizatiOn OF the ln-
dams silent language! Clariss thOughtiully
contemplated the curious emblem of a savage
mothers feelings for few moments, and then
took mp the squaws trail again. lt led her
through the fringe OF timber TO the bank OF
the stream across, and on into the deep forest,
where she abandoned il and returned 10 hes
cabin, not so excited when she had started
out. but moro mysiifed than ever.
BY what subtle perception the Indian woman
learned that Dick and his hounds were not at
homo, is one Of those remarkable evidences Of
the astuteness OF the race which the white
man fails 10 comprehend. She never would
have ventured there If he had been, for the
deerhOunds always remained outside OF the
cabin, and she would have beeh torn to pieces
by them for their hatred OF the breed was
even greater lhau lhat OF lnelE master q, IL
such thing were possible. She Immediately
followed on Dicks trail after her midnight
visit TO her baby's grave, rs subsequent events
| as they are related will confirm.
The squaw certainly bore no malice toward
| Clariss; the lonely wife was secure in that be-
lief. but of the cause of the Tomans repeated
visits TO the cabin, she was profoundly igno-
rant as the hounds themselves. She under
stood perfectly well tho meaning Of the
gframUnl fa innnd ftviUa q Aha head nf ilR
little grave near her window, but Of their ap.
plicatiOn, REVENGEi she never for n mo-
ment connected either with herself or Dick.
ln fact, the very presence Of the symbols also
confidently assured her that even Tige. of
whom she was still suspicious at times, must
hcnceforth be held
GUILTLEss OF THE cHILD's MURDER.
Poor girl, she little dreamed that the shadow
Of the real criminals Nemesis already hoYered
over her once-hRppy home aud that when the
hour came its black wings would encompass
her in the sorrow they would inevitably bring.
Another week dragged on it's lonesome
rounds; the events of that exciting night only
a short time before were still fresh in Clariss's
memory, but she had naturally subsidized into
the ordinary current of her sequestered life
again. She performed automatically Lhe SIM
pie daily routine Of duty the care OF her
severely plain home demanded, and gave her
self up 10 the hattering dream which hope
cherished that her truRnt husband would soon
return. Every afternoon, as expectancy hight
ened, and the weather permitted, she would
sit a rude bench that Dick had constructed
for her in leisure moment just outside OF the
cabin door. and watch the rugged trail on the
crest Of the mesa for his coming. She did not.
however, as EvanCeline is portrayed listlessly
gaze into the blue empyresn seeking the
silver lining" for Clariss even at these times
occupied herself with her knitting needles. or
some similar simple work not requiring much
mental effort; for she was rarely absolutely
Idle. the result Of her early training under her
mothers guidance. Buck and Tige were her
| inseparable companions on such occasions;
| they would lie quietly near her. their great,
lustrons eyes watching every movement Of her
swift fingers as she fashioned the yarn into
shapely mittens or warm stockings for the alb
sent ono. They were ever on the alert for any
varmint" that might have the temerity 10
venture near the presence Of their sacred
charge.
On Monday, after moro than n week had
elapsed since the Indian wOman's last visit, a
charming Winters afternoon, Clariss. whose
anxiety increased in ratio corresponding
with the 10 her slow passage OF the hours, was
in her fayOrite position on the rustic seat ont
side her cabin, the dogs, as usual, lying near
her. She had been there but a short time
when up from the canyon there suddenly rose
a noise like the rushing of mighty wings
Clariss jumped 10 her feet in a moment; but
strangely, neither Tige nor Buck. who had as
quickly risen from their comfortable postures,
UTTERED SINGLE BARK on HOWL!
Their noses, OF course. were at once elevated in
the direction from whence the sound proceed
ed, and almost Immediately their tails began
10 wag in that deliberate aud confident man
ner which dogs Of their breed are wont 10 ex-
hibit when they catch the scent Of something
they are familiar with.
ClaTiss observed this action OF her two pro-
| tectors. her heart in her mouth for iOy because
she understood what IL meant at once; they
had winded something that belonged to her
home. and what could IL be but the approach
OF their master? This she believed perfectly,
Hs she pecred into the shade Of the canyon for
the form OF her husband. whom her emotion
1 told her was near. Bat when in another mo-
ment the deer hounds he had taken away with
| him emerged from the sumac thicket that hid
l the rocky trail. aud there Was no report Of n
rife, bis inysriable signal TO let her know
! that he was near she became dizzy. aud tho
/ blood in her veins almost ceased 10 circulate
Now she knew that he WAS not there. aud the
return Of his hounds alone filled her soul with
a torturing prescntiment that something terri
l bic must have beialen him. She went into
l the rabin for a moment aud threw herself
despairDgly upon the bed, almost ready TO
viii power which had so often served la the
hour Of great emergencies, she soon recovered
her normal coolness. came outside again aud
] pityinRly contemplated Bruce aud Pont. who.
CANT, bloody. aud mnd-brgrimed. pautiug and
exhausted by travel, evidently. laid themselves
| down nc her feet and APP ealingly gazcd into
her face.
She then went aud cut from n quarter OF
| deer hanging a wooden peg In the wall near
the door some strips Of the dried yenison, aud
/ fed 10 the half-famished hounds. After their
nppeiites had been appeased. they both ran TO
/ the mouth OF the canyon aud back again 10
where CarIss stood earnestly watching their
/ actions, several times, all the while whining
aud at intervals inleIjecting a short, quick,
Characteristic yell, ia their endeav0rs 10 induce
\ her 10 follow them! Pont even exhibited
so much sagacity Ms 10
TAKE HOLD OF HER BUcKsKIS SKIRT
with his great white teeth, and persistently
pull at IL ia his earnestuess 10 make himself
understood! Poor girl! Too we'll she com
! pretended what IN their mute appeals they
were trying 10 tell her; but as night was now
already upon tho little valley she was CON-
pelled 10 postpone any further action until
| the morrow: so she almost despairinely sought
| her lonely bed, TO brood over her deep trouble
aud 10 formulate her plans. that when day
came again she could intelligently carry them
/ out.
Only disturbed snaiches Of sleep visited her
| eyes that seemingly interminable night and
| when the sun came shining into the great
| canyon next morning, Clariss WAS more than
half way ON the trail" TO Tom BOggs's. a