Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-06-08
N Sleeps clot1 ing

| tHo IOuu anu through Lno WOODS, where
as little girl, she had often gathered
nuts, while Ralph, then Il sturdy boy,
sent them to the earth from his glddy
perohes high up in the trees.
She did not hesitate TO toll him then
that she thought him the brayest,
strongest and handsomest boy In all the
world. He would give great deal 10
know what she thought OF him now.
II was with something OF feeling OF
desperation that he resolved TO learn
her feelings tonight. The courier
letter had decided him.
He forgot the barrier that sprung up
In his mind, every time he thought OF
offering himself In the past.
Ralph knew who he was--rather no
did not know who he was, In regard to
name and parentage--and though he
consoled himself with tho belief that
neither could be bad, he realized
that In this community, there was q
strong, even bitter, prejudice against
these Of Legitimate birth, and that
maldens far beneath Lea Hedges In the
social scale would hesitate before CIV
ing him their hands In marriage.
Usually, Ralph was the soul Of cheer
fulness; tonight, he was gloomy, and,
In her futile efforts to rally him, Lea
herself became taciturn.
At length they reached promontory,
that commanded magnificent view Of
the bay, and OF the islands to the east,
now cloud OF green and gold, in the
distance. Here they sat down on the
trunk Of a fallen tree and, turning to
her, Ralph asked:
How long have you known me, LEAP"
Il have known you Ralph, she re-
piled, ever since / can remember
He became silent again, dreadlng to
launch out on the sea, to whose shore
he had led her.
why do you ask that strange ques-
tlon2"
She did not look at him, but toyed
with the ribbon OF the hat which she
held In her lap
Il was wondering how long two
friends-good friends as you and / are
could be acquainted without knowing
exactly what the one thought Of the
other, he said.
Il have never doubted about that; you
have been to me brave brother, In
whom ! felt all SISTERS pride; and
think / have been to you q sister; you
have often told me l was, in these very
woods. And now she began to knot
the strings as II she had spite against
them.
Il was then youth and you q little
girl. We have both changed. You are
no longer sister to me, Lea"
Not sister, Ralph"
"No; the time-the time have 80
often thought Of, and always with a
feeling OF dread-has come. Oh, Lea,
you must be much more than sister to
me--or-or less.
He turned to her and reached out
both his hands; and, as she did not
make a response, but sat there trem-
bling, with face as white as statue,
he called out:
Forgive me, Lea. could not help
it, 1t seemed that my heart would
break IL did not tell you of my love
before left Now care not to return,
but do not blame you. We're you in
truth my sister, and ono in my position
asked for your hand, l could not en-
courage him"
"Oh, Ralph, Ralph" she CRIED spring
ing to her feet, and clnglng with her
white arms to his neck. "Do not leave
me so, Ralph, my more than brother!"
AS he folded her to his breast, and
kissed her face, which the setting sun
seemed to surround with an aureole Of
golden light, Ralph Denham became
aware OF another presence.
He looked up and saw the scowling
dark face and towering form Of the
Montauk chief before him.
Releasing Lea, Ralph strobe before
the Indian, and in an angry tone de-
manded
What brings you hereP"
Here" said the chief, defiantly
glanclng around him. Here / stand on
the lands of the Montauk. What brings
you hereP"
Il should give my reply II this lady
were not with us, said Ralph.
Il shall receive your reply when she
is not with you, said Uncas, throwing
his long rifle across his shoulder, and
striding into the forest from which he
had come.