Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08

far more friends among the red men than
the white
That could well be. because in those days
white men were few and far between.
Every one had heard the story that 1t was
through her the news Of the massacre at
Fort Phil kearny was made known to the
post commander, for she could speak the
dialects of both the Arapahoe and the
Sioux, and had the sign language of the
plains vertically at her fingers ends There
were not lacking those who declared that
Indian blood ran in her veins-that her
mother was an Ogallaua squaw and her
father a French Canadian fur trapper,
story to which her raven black hair and
brows, her deep, dark eyes and some what
swarthy complexion gave no little color.
But, long years before. Bill Hay had taken
her east, where he had relatives, and where
she studied under excellent masters. return
ing to him summer after summer with more
and more of refinement in manner. and so
much of style and fashion in dress that her
annual advent had come to be looked upon
as quite the event of the season, even by
women Of the social position OF Mrs. Ray
and Mrs. Blake, the recognized leaders
among the young matrons Of the til cav
airy. and by gentle Mrs. Dade, to whom
every one looked up in respect-almost In
reverence. Despite the mystery about her
antecedents there was every reason why
Mrs. Hay should be held in esteem and af-
lection. Bill Hay himself was diamond in
the rough-square, sturdy. uncompromising,
generous and hospitable: his great pride
ana glory was MS VIE, MS one great SUI
row that their only child had died almost
in infancy. His solecisms in syntax and
society were many. He was given at times
to profanity and at others, when madame
was away, to draw poker; but officers and
men alike proclaimed him man Of mettle
and never hesitated to go to him when in
financial straits. sure of INDUSTRIOUS aid
But. even had this not been the case. the
popularity. of his better half would have
carried nm through for there was hardly
a woman at Frayne to speak of her except
in terms of genuine respect. Mrs. Hay was
truth telling sympat hetic. a peacemaker.
resolute opponent Of gossip and scandal OF
every kind, a woman who minded her own
business and was only mildly insistent that
others should do likewise. She declined all
overtures leading to condolences as to her
past and demanded recognition only upon
the standard of the present, which was UNI
impeachable Sc
All the same it came something like
shock to society at Frayne that, when she
appeared at the post this beautiful autumn
OF 1SS-, nearly three months later than the
usual time, she should be accompanied by
this brilliant and beautiful girl OF whom
no one Of their number had previously
heard and whom she smiingly. confidently
presented as my niece. Miss Flower
There was dance the night the pades
got nome from Laramie. Nearly all day
long had they driven in the open blackboard
over the rough. winding road along the
Platte, and Mrs. Dade WAS far too tired to
think of going, bat Esther was SO eager
that her father put aside his precious paper,
tucked her under his arm and trudged
cheerily away across the parade toward
the bright lights Of the hop room. They
had, a fairly good string orchestra at
Frayne that year, and one OF Strauss most
wftchinx wnlfnes-. Sounds FROM the vien-
ma Woods'.-had just been begun az father