Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1897-08-12

And then he relapsed into silence
after one or two more remarks. to
which his companion did not seem in
clined TO reply. save in monosyllables,
until they stopped In the midst Of a
whirllng snowdrift, before old Han
nah's cabin, OF the edge Of a thlcket Of
pines.
shall l put the horse out7' DR..
Dane asked. There Is neither man nor
boy here to render such services,
and"
Il can put him out myself" said the
woman, quickly. Il know where the
lantern and the matches are kept in
the shed. and have taken Prince
Charles In and out OF the shafts many
a time"
without waiting for an answer, she
led the pony around the corner Of the
house and vanished rs It we're into a
white wilderness, while Dr. Dane
opened the door and went into the
sick room, where he wretched old oc-
togenarian lay groaning by the light Of
a pine wood fire alone.
well. Hannah" said he, cheerfully,
"hOw are your"
But, instead Of answerinf, the old
woman screwed up her eyes to peer
past him into the gloom, as II expect
ing yet another figure to appear
The next instant the back door
opened and a small slight figure came
in, already freed from clumsy cloak
or shelterins fur cap--a girl Of per-
haps twenty, with clear, brown eyes,
rosy cheeks and coils OF brown hair
wound around and around her head.
Iannah's blear eyes frightened at the
noiseless apparition.
IL knew you would come, pretty
one" she said. you always come
where there is pain or trouble or heavy
hearts. my queen"
80" said DR.. Dane TO himself, at
is neither Miss Martineau nor Daniel
otway's wife. | wonder wbo II is"
All that wild, teupestuors night the
two kept vigil at Hannlh Hopkins
bedside, and, in his secret heart, the
doctor confessed that he had never
seen a quicker comprehension, a more
tender heart, a stronger fortitude, than
that of his unknown companion. And
when, at daybreak, the angel OF death
set the prisoned spirit free, and they
sat alone by the corpse, DR.. Dane spoke
out:
I'VE can do no more for the poor
creature" said he. She's at rest, now.
Let me take you to your friends"
NO" said the girl, quietly. Il shall
stay here until some of the village
people come. viii not leave her, poor
soulr'
"Can l send some one?" he asked.
III you choose" she answered.
But don't like to leave you alone. q"
do not be afraid" she said. little
scornfully.
So Halleck Dane left her. Forum
ately he met some one a few rods in
the road. and returned with reinforce
ments-a sturdy old farmer and his
wife.
Miss DuFande." cried the woman,
the minute her eye fell on the slight
figure at the bedside, you never mean
to say that you have been here all
night But / don't b'lleve old Han
nah could have died without you. she
was that fond OF you. Heaven bless
your sweet facer'
DR.. Dane started, feeling the color
mount to his face.
"Ahl" said he, striving to speak
calmly, so the mystery is solved You
are Miss DuTander
YES" she said. Il am Miss Durande.
did not reveal my identity before. be-
cause / knew you did not like me, DR..
Dane"
But do like you" said the doctor,
impulsively. 1T was only my fan
cied ideal Of Miss Durande that dis
llkedw
Was II just to be Judge, jury and
without even allowing the
poor defendant to put in a plea?"
asked Dorella.
1T was eowardly and base" ad-
mitted DR.. Dane. 1T you can forgive
me. do. But I shall find It impossible
to forgive myself"
The heiress held out her hand with
a most fascinating smile beginning 10
dimple the corners of her perfect
mouth
"sueh humility Is Irresistible" said
she. you are pardonedw
They drove home together the best
friends in the world, DIR. Dane wonder
ing how It was possible that the real
Miss Durande should be so unlike the
silly, simpering, conceited little per-
sonage whom he had decided she must
be-and Dorella, woman-like, thinking
all the more Of him because she had
been called upon to forgive his short
,omings.
OF course the sequel remains to be
told. OF course Dr. Dane and Dorella
Durande liked each other all the bet
ter, now, for having so heartily de-
spised each other before. And one day
DR.. Hal told Miss Durande that he
liked her better than any one else in
the world-and. in return, Miss Du-
rande confessed that she loved him
Oh, so dearly"
And when he heard Of II, Col. Van
dyeke laughed as II II we're a supreme
Joke
Didn't ! tell you. long ago?" said
he.-New York Ledger.
PAST GREAT FAMINEs.
Terrible Nisitations OF Distress During