The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1895-09-12

shoes. But the face was Z white
She saw that at . glance
and her JOY at secing . white face,
however uncouth and strange, was
pleasant TO see, as well a. 10 experi-
ence.
"Did my father send your" she
asked eagerly.
"who Is your father and where
does he liver" he asked without n
swering her question.
ellis name 10 Laselle and he lives
across the Mississippi. l remember,
u home was ten miles from the
river"
"No, your father did not send me.
1 never heard Of him. I did not
know you o lost until Haha told
me you we're here and asked me to
come with him so that 1 could help
you If the Indians get in trouble and
have to leave this camp. Haha ia
my friend ann I will help you"
Take me to my father then," she
begged, "for l can't stand this much
longer"
The white stranger was not a man
of many words. He seemed willing
to do all he could for the captive
girl although he had but little to say
to her.
at is useless" he said to Haha,
''to try to get her away now. Tho
Indiana would kill her II they were
to catch her In the woods. I
couldn't take care of her, they'd kill
me too. They know Pm a friend to
'em but they'd think I'd turned agin
Fem and they'd tomahawk me in o
minute."
"Well," said Hahs, "come here
soc what she needs-me 60 away,
can't come-Loni 'fraid-you come,
bring bread, water, blanket"
"Now," he said turning to
Annette who was again crying Bit
terly, "don't cry, Haha your friend,
he not forget you. You sleep, eat,
no fear, no cry, Haha come back
when he find safe path for pale
face 'cross red Missouri-climb great
rocks, follow deer-trail through
dark forests, to give pale face back
to father, mother"
Annette hardly knew If he was in
jest or earnest, he was smiling 80
brightly as he made this little
speech, the longest though she had
ever heard from him. The trapper,
for the old man in skins was one,
looked at him in wonder. He could
not understand the meaning Of his
words, for he surely did not mean to
take her home himself and run the
risk Of gaining the hatred Of the
tribe.
"Boy," he said at length, "don't
you know Comanche Injuns yeti
Don't you know II they ketch you
taking her homo they'll have your
scalps."
81 know" said Haha and Annette
was surprised to see him laugh. ~
not afraid of Comanche Injuns."
The trapper did not laugh, nor
even smile. No doubt the dangers
and tolls of border life had crushed
out and deprived him of every
superfluity, even a smile.
AS he sat on the rock floor, hold
Ing his gun in front of him with
one hand, while the other c~aressed
the head Of a surly dog at his feet.
Annette thought she had never seer
such a scary looking man. Wha,
did Haha bring him there for, she
wondered, for II she had been alone,
he would have frightened her almost
to death.
For some little time Haha and the
trapper, whose name was Burns.
talked together, and Annette gath.
cred that the Indians and whites had
been fighting, that another battle
was imminent, and it was probable
the Indian camp would have to bs
moved. To prevent Annette's re.
capture, and to convey her to Z
place of safety was the object of thiI
visit.
81 will let you know" said Hahs
"when to take her away. May tn,
Great Spirit stay with YOU" he sale
to Annette, "until He brings m,
back"
She saw him 60 out again, ant
realizing her loneliness and DANCE,
she cried aloud in anguish Of spirit
"Oh, he is gone and I am alon'
again"
Again he was in the doorway
"Not alone" he said softly, eth
Great Spirit is here.n
He had heard her then, and tn
plying look in his eyes told her hov
he wanted to I'VE her, what q tru'
friend he was to her, and how sh,
might trust him.
eyes" she thought, "the Grea
Spirit is here In this desolate lionel,
cave-this home OF rock, hiddel
from men, but not from Him. TIL
moaning winds, the dark forests, tn
bowling wolves and psnthers, tn
cruel savages are all the works @
His mighty hand. he is here an
over all, the one father, protector
ouard and puida. Whv ahonld all