The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-09-20

ItluoluS u IuSs Wucn Why lSlb Db- AL
bans, and it had been given to her. She
drew it about her now with feeling of
comfort and seemed to lose the horrible
sense of strangeness which had almost
convulsed her when she was put into
the carriage at the railway station. Her
reserve had hidden much Of what she
really felt, but the drive through the
lines had shown General Armour and
his wife that they had to do with na-
ture having capacities for sensitive feel
ing, which, it is sometimes thought, is
only the prerogative of certain we'll bred
civilizations.
But it was impossible that they should
yet, or for many day, feel any sense
of kinship with this aboriginal girl.
Presently the carriage drew up to the
doorway, which was instantly open to
them. A broad belt of light streamed
out upon the stone steps. Far back in
the hall stood Marion, one hand upon
the balustrade of the staircase, the 9TH
er tightly held at her side, as if to nerve
herself for the meeting. The eyes of the
Indian girl pierced the light, and, as if
by strange instinct, found those Of
Marion even before she left the carriage.
Lali felt vaguely that here was her pos
sible enemy. As she stepped out of the
carriage, General Armour's hand under
her elbow to assist her, she drew her
blanket somewhat more closely about
her and so proceeded up the steps. The
composure of the servants was in the
circumstances remarkable. 1t needed to
have been, for the courage displayed by
Lali's two new guardians during the
day almost faltered at the threshold of
their own home. Any sign of surprise
or amusement on the part of the domes.
tics would have given them some pain
full moments subsequently. But all was
perfectly decorous. Marion still stood
motionless, almost dazed. The group
advanced into the hall and there paused,
as if waiting for her.
At that moment Richard came out of
the study at her right hand, took her
arm and said quietly: "Come along,
Marion. Let us be as brave as our father
and mother"
She gave hard little gasp and SEEM
ed to awake as from d dream. She
quickly glided forward ahead of him,
kissed her mother and father almost alb
ruptly, then turned to the young wife
with scrutinizing eye. Marion, said
her father, this is your sister" Ma.
rion stood hesitating, confused.
Marion, DEAR" repeated her mother
tremendously, 'this is your brothers
wife. Lali, this is your husbands sis.
ter, Marion"
Mackenzie translated the words swift.
ly to the girl, and her eyes flashed wide
Then in a low voice she said in Eng.
lish, "Yes, Marion, how?"
1t is probable that neither Marion mol
any one present knew quite the meaning
of "how," save Richard, and he could
not suppress smile--it sounded so alb
surd and aboriginal. But at this exclama
tion Marion once more came to herself
She could not possibly go 80 far as hel
mother did at the dock and kiss thi!
savage, but with rather sudden grasI
Of the hand she said little hysterical
ly, for her brain was going round likc
a wheel, "Wo-won't you let me taxi
your blanket?" and forthwith laid holC
Of it with tremulous politeness.
The question sounded for the instan
so ludicrous to Richard that, in spite o
the distressing situation, he had t,
choke back a laugh. Years afterward i
he wished for any momentary reveng
upon Marion-and he had keen sens
Of wordy retaliation-he simply said
"Wo-won't you let me take you
blanket?"
OF course the Indian girl did not un
6erstand, but she submitted to the re
moval of this uncommon mantle an,
stood forth less trying sight to Ma
rion's eyes, for, as we said before, he
buckskin costume set off softly the gooc
outlines Of her form.
The Indian girls eyes wandered fror
Marion to Richard. They wandere
from anxiety, doubt and a bitter kind O
reserve to cordiality, sympathy and
grave kind Of humor. Instantly the gir
knew that she had in eccentric Richar
Armour frank friend. Unlike as h
was to his brother, there was still i
their eyes the same friendliness an
humanity--that is, twas the same loo
that Frank carried when he first cam
to her fathers lodge,
Richard held out his hand with col
dial little laugh and said: "Ah, al
very glad, very gladl Just in time fo
supper. Come along. How is Frank, Ell
How ie Eranko Inst eo iuct cn Plpacar