Evening star., 1902-08-16


be taken to the village When she ex-
planned that her lover had been unjustly
accused-womanlike, she never questioned
his innocence-he nodded the other way.
Jump in,'' he said briefly, Il haint
a-goin' to let lynn Injun spoil your we'd
din There's the captain; better take him
along He'll give official standing"
Captain Brown Joined them at once.
and his good-natured face was drawn into
a puzzled frown when he heard Miss
Bates story. He did not doubt it's truth.
He knew the Indians. He had had several
experiences with the marshal and did not
court another. He was very silent as the
launch cut the waves and its shrill whistle
announced to the unhappy prisoner that
friends were coming
The marshal pompous as a mar
shall could be. His late experience made
him turn his back on Miss Bates when she
begged to his prisoner. In vain the
captain stormed and threatened. The
marshal accused him of interfering with
justice and used language SO emphatic that
the captain drew Miss Bates from the
room. He was furiously angry and his
eyes had glitter that was full of promise
for the marshal.
AS they went down the hall they saw
Henry standing stifry before a door. Miss
Bates wiped her tear-stained eyes and tried
to curve her lips into diplomatic smile.
The effort was pitiful and caused Henry's
pride in his undertaking to shrink. He
hung his head and when she softly asked
If she might see Mr.. Stanton he would
have opened the door if the marshal had
not appeared like a very disagreeabe jack
ln-the-box. He requested her to go on and
sent Henry to the office with a message.
Henry waited for her at the foot of the
stairs He had not thought that she would
suffer if he sent Stanton to prison. He
wanted Stanton to suffer. But the sight of
her sorrowful face told him a story that
made him open his mouth, and he stood be-
fore her ashamed-tO lift his eyes
Il didn't think you cared he stammered.
She looked at him and he felt her glance
to his heels. She had all of womans hor-
ror of arrest and her fear broke through
her natural reserve.
Care she said. and the passionate voice
cut through his selfshness like knife. IF
L could only show how much | care! Henry,
you arrested him. Can't YOU free him? He
must catch that steamer in San Francisco.
Oh, is there no way of escape. He has done
no wrong You know that!
Henry had spent six Years at Carlisle
There would always be times when the In
dian would predominant, but there would
be other times when the influences of those
six years would overcome nature. He
looked at Miss Bates. A question burned
in her eyes He dropped his own.
Il will free him. he said. Meet us at
the dock
His confidence impressed her, and she
never doubted him. She believed that
man, red or white, could accomplish what
he wished. So she beamed on him with a
thankfulness that made him shift his
weight from one foot to the other. He had
not the fatntest idea how he was to per-
form his task. Fate sent a helping hand
Young Bear" called the marshal. Come
here and stay with the prisoner. l want to
go over TO the post Office" He locked the
door on Stanton and his jailer and put the
key in his pocket. He felt no hestancy in
leaving Stanton In the custody Of the man
who had caused his arrest especially as
the door was locked and he carried the key
He forgot that there were two doors to
this stuffy little room, and he did not know
that Henry had the key to the second.
Stanton looked al the Indian in curious
lmpersonal way and thought that he would
believe everything about the Indians that
had been written. Henry was not i'm
pressed by his manner. His mind was filled
with other things. He touched Stanton on
the arm.
Come quick" he whispered.
Stanton idly kicked the bed.
White squaw at the dock We must go
before marshal comes back
Stanton sat stubbornly still and kept on
kicking the bed.
Come begged Henry. "White squaw
waiting"
Stanton flushed.
It's too late he said. Il want to stand
my trial and see how you come out of it,
you red sneak"
Henry ignored the epithet. He stood like
statue, although he knew the marshal
must have reached the post office.
I'VE couldn't take the train anyway"
went on Stanton, drearly. The marshal
would rearrest me. There's no way out Of
this blasted country"
Government launch" suggested Henry.
4 can run 1t. Take train at the junction
The marshal won't know. The white
Squaw's waiting"
Stanton stopped kicking the bed and
sprang to his feet
where's my hat Do YOU think we can
do it, Henry"
Pay no attention to people," advised
Henry as he opened the door to the second
room through which they would reach the
hall. Nobody knows you"
1t was this fact that enabled Stanton to
reach the dock. In front of the post office
at the far end of the street, they could see
the marshal, the center of knot of men.
He was telling again how he had taken
that smart Aleck' prisoner.
Miss Bates gave low cry that was half
a sob as she saw them. Regardless Of
Henry, Stanton took her in his arms and
kissed her.
viii you do this for me, Miriam? -7e
are sure to find minister on the train I'D
If not not We can be married in St. Paul
"Oh, hurry she begged. I'VE have only
twenty minutes. l thought you would
never come. Can you do it, Henry?''
Henry did not answer in words, but the
boat shot out from the dock without the
shrill scream with which it always an
nounced it's arrival and departure, Even
as they steamed away they could hear the
whistle of the western train at the cross
ing five miles below.
The junction was just beyond the village
around the bay. The wind was against
them, but Henry fought his way with
recklessness that made Miss Bates hide
her face on Stanton's arm as the waves
dashed over the boat.
The train whistled at the village Four
minutes and it would be at the junction.
The twinkling lights seemed very far
away.
You will never make IT," exclaimed
Stanton.
Il will make It," gasped Henry.
And he did. Just the train slowed I'D
at the junction the launch grated on the
sand.
Come, dear, hurry Stanton lifted Miss
Bates to the shore,
I'm minute. Goodbye Henry. We can't
thank you" Her voice broke and running
her fingers caressingly over his shoulder
she let Stanton lead her into the brilliantly
lighted train.
Another whistle, that sounded a defiance
to the marshal still telling his story-to
the new arrivals now-and the train rolled
away, leaving Henry standing straight and
still beside the launch. He did not move
until the last glimmer of light vanished
down the track When he turned to iumn
into the boat for the first time in his life
he knew what physical weakness meant
and he climbed wearily in, to go back to
the agency alone.