Sunday Washington globe., 1902-03-23

A
the mountains and ne was standing in front
OF his tepee which stood beside the cabin
occupied by a trapper and his young daugh-
ter in gulch near the edge of wide and
beautiful valley The little settlement was
partially hidden from view by a heavy
cluster Of cotton woods and dense shrub
berry, aud persons passing on the road which
ran few rods distant from the CABIN would
not know, perhaps, that there was a human
habitatiou uear unless the curls of smoke
that occasionally sprang from the chimneys
attracted their attention.
The Indian was telling the young daugh-
ter OF the trapper about his journey into the
hills, and while he affected to be telling a
romantic story the girl felt that he was con.
cealing some thing from her. She had been
the companion of her father and the Indian
for fifteen years aud she felt at liberty TO
call her old warrior companion to account
for all he said to her The story he told
was to the effect that he had found what he
took to be grave. There was near it a
rustic shovel and further away was an old
pick.
He said that he would return to the noun
tains that night but he feared 70 under
take the journey in the face Of the super
stitiOus threat of the ring around the
moon
But why is he so anxious to 60 back to-
night?" the girl asked herself Louise was
a brave, daring, ambitious young woman
Her mother had bade her a final farewell
when she was but a child, and since then
She had lived with her father, a hardy,
gruh, yet Kind parent who loved his only
child with all the force of his being He
would not listen to the thought Of sending
his daughter away to the city to school
He taught her from the books he had pur-
chased and in every way he tried to be the
good father his wife would have him be-
Tire old family Bible was not left ia the
closet to accumulate dust, either Louise
was good girl.
Let me 60 with you2" asked the girl
The suggestion seemed to torment the old
brave, whose couuteuance clouded into a
deep expression Of horror. He cIutched
the girls arm until she WINGED and sternly
commanded her to go into the cabin and
remain there until her father should return
from the trapping jaunt down the creeks.
The young woman, now aroused to the
top notch Of curiosity, went into the cabin
and sat by the window She looked out
nto the pale glow Of the night and won
dered II her father would be late arriving
home as be often was after a day with the
raps. She thought, and she thought again,
nd after all she thought why should she
care to go into the mountains with the
I indian. II was her adventurous nature
hat had prompted her to make the sug-
gestiOu to Barefoot Then again, she
thought why not? It would be adventure,
and that she liked better than all else that
came to her in her lonely existence. There
was a tremOr of dread at the thought of the
Indian returning to the mountains that
night and the dense replies the Indian
gave to her questions had the effect Of add
ing worry TO curiosity.
Her reverie was happily broken by the
entrance Of the trapper. who smiled gladly
1t had been lucky day for him-the catch
was unusually large.
1T is only fancy. my child. said the
father after Louise had told what the Indian
had said and added her own conclusions
and deductions. "Old Barefoot is getting
old and he is rOmancing. that's all. Supper
readY2"
The meal was spread out on a table
daintly dressed and after he had eaten the
trapper, sat ia his armchair and enjoyed his
pipe.
Slowly the door opened and the Indian
appeared upon the threshold.
Come, mOtioning to the trapper and
disappearing as if to escape the eyes Of the
girl.
The father went outside, Just to humor
the old Indian" he said to his daug hter.
Through the window Louise saw the two
men standing in the clear light of the
moon. The Indian seemed to be nervous
and he darted glauces in the direction Of
the cabin at frequent intervals The father
seemed TO be eugrossed in what he heard,
and the Indian was more than Usually seri-
Gus in his every move and word
The men parted quietly the Indian going
into his teut aud the white man into his
cabih
Did Barefoot tell you more than he did
me, father?" asked the girl when her father
entered
The answer was curt aud dry. He told
me that the riug was not around the moon
any more"
Then I suppose he will go into the
mountains tonight, now that tine cause OF
the superstitiOus thought has been re-
moved"
Daughter" aud the father gently placed
his hand upon his childs shoulder. Bare
fool wants me TO go With ham into the
mountains. Now. I want you to be good
little girl aad go 70 bed won't be gon,
long"
Please tell me why you are going nov
instead Of in the daylight" pleaded the
girl, her curiosity now at the poiut where
fright may eater AT the slightest bidding
For reply the pareut merely waved hi
hand, and turned and walked 70 the wall
from winch lac took his ride and cartridg
belt He kissed his child good night an'
left with the Iudiau
The daughter's eyes pierced the semi
darkness salt way up the tall siopini
mountsiu until the two objects they FOL
lowed had goue iuto the darkness Of IN
distance The fndian had impressed hi
white companion with hls story.
II was an hOur Of torture for Louise afte
her father ieft the cabin Never before ha
she been ia such a state OF nervous agita
ton There hoyered over her A dread whic
depressed her She was frightened by be
imagination oil what might happen
Il was utdnight wheu the heavy eyelid
closed down over the lustrOus eyes Wit
sleep camc dreaus, and phautoms flited b