Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-04-29

the exception of a few prospectors on
the hunt for gold and silver. They
minded their own business, as men soon
learned to do in those days, and I was
not bothered nor my privacy intruded
upon. But one day as sat busily paint
ing l heard step, soft rustic and
looked up to see vision in my door
way. y young girl, but little more than
10 years Of age, stood there with her
hand resting upon the head of great
nastiff dog. The sight was so unex-
pected that for q moment l thought of
optical illusions and rubbed my eyes,
expecting the picture to vanish; but
instead, it advanced, and the dog came
and poked his cold nose into my hand,
asking, after the manner of his kind, for
notice and caresses. As for his mistress,
she stood looking about her as child
might have done, and indeed she was
but little more.
Have you lost your way:" asked her
gently.
"Oh, no, sir" she said with faint
smile. knight and 1 never get lost.
Do we, Knight"
At the mention of his name the dog
turned and stood by her, and was glad
to see that he would indeed be "a reck-
less man who would dare modest her.
'WiIl you sit down and rest?" asked,
pushing one of my two camp stools to-
ward her.
knight and never get tired, do we,
Knight she asked; but she sat down
and put her arm around the dogs neck.
DO you live here" she asked.
replied that did, and fell to won
dering where the child could have strayed
from. She now caught sight of nv work
and drew near me with wonder in her
eyes.
You must be like God" she said, ''to
make mountains and canyons like that
You give me greater praise than l
deserve, said but here are some more
pictures-will you look at Them"
l turned them for her, and it was
strange sensation to watch her face, filled
as it was with wonder and awe.
DO you like pictures:" l asked.
Il never saw any before" she said,
except black and white ones - little
ones, you know, IN papers and books. l
liked them, but these! OH She
clasped her hands and I saw that she
was trembling. Il didn't think that any
body in the world could make pictures
like these"
While she looked ar them | looked at
her, and my wonder grew as | gazed
She was a slender little creature, olive
skinned, and with great mass of dusky
hair gathered into braid which hung
below her waist. Her features were
delicate and regular, her eyes large.
brown and full of the slumbering fires of
unawakeneG womanhocd; but her mouth
was the feature that caught and riveted
my attention. 1t was so unchildlike, so
inexpressibly sad in the pathetic curves
of the small red lips
Does your Knight like picturesg'
asked, trying TO win smile. The faint
est ghost of one crossed her face.
Yes, he likes whatever l like" she
answered. knight knows as much as
any of US"
l returned to my sketching in some
embarrassment Had she been, indeed.
the child at first supposed, to question
her or amuse her would have been easy;
but as it was could only await her
pleasure. Presently she came to nv
side.
My mother used to say" she said
timidly, THAT if prayed to the HOLY
Mother Mary she would hear me and
give me what asked for. Do you think
she will?7
Il nope so, with all my heart" l an
swered, ''but what do you wish for most
Of all?''
TO make pictures, as you do"
You sayyour mother used to tell you
so. Is she, then, no longer living?"
''She is dead. She died years ago,
when was little girl, but 1 remember
what she told me. Ny father has an
ether wife now. She has Mexican blood;
she is cruel"
Not to you?' said doubtfully.
Yes, TO me and everybody except
Knight. She is afraid of Knight"
Il am glad of that" I replied; "but
surely she cannot hurt you very much
now. You are almost a woman and can
defend yourself"
''She is large and strong and cruel
Sac shakes me-" went on the plaintive
voice.
But your father - surely if he
knew
HE knows, but he loves her."
''He loves you, too, l SUPPOSE"
''He hates me- she answered in the
same sad, level voice, land SO l run
away when 1 can and stay all day"
And when you go homer"
"They beat me sometimes :"
In the interest and sympathy awak- |
ened by her confession forgot my re-
serve.
What is your name:' l asked.
Carol Cleaves"
''Cleaves"' sprang to my feet in as !
toinshInent, FOR that was the name of A |
no0orious outlaw, whose record was
bla ok with crime. And this lovely child. |
could 1T be possible that she claimed |
such paternity?
She looked at me wistfully. 'T will |
20 now" she said.