Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-01-23


to the train which was to take them to
st. Adams and were soon wheeling
homeward.
AT Euston they parted with Lambert
and Mrs. Townley, who quite simply
and conventionally babe goodby to them
and their Indian daughter law. Lali
had grown to like Mrs. Townley, and
when they parted she spoke a few words
quickly in her own tongue and then I'M
mediately was confused, because she re-
membered that she could not be under
stood. But presently she said in hating
English that the face of her white
friend was good, and she hoped that she
would come one time and sit beside her
In her wigwam, for she would be sad
till her husband travelled to her.
Mrs. Townley made some polite reply
in simple English, pressed the girls
hand sympathetically and hurried away.
Before she parted from Mr.. Lambert,
however, she said, with pretty touch
of cynicism: 81 think 1 see Marion Ar.
mour listening to her sister-in-law is
sue invitations to her wigwam. l am
afraid l should be rather depressed my.
self if l had to be sisterly to wigwam
lady"
But say, Mrs. Townley, rejoined
Lambert seriously as he loitered at the
steps of her carriage, II shouldn't be
surprised if my Lady Wigwam-a rather
apt and striking title, by the way
turned out better than we think She
carried herself rippingly without the
blanket, and never saw more beauti-
full hand in my life-but one." he add.
ed as his fingers at that moment closed
on hers and held them tightly in spite
of the indignant little effort at with.
drawal. ''She may yet be able to give
them all points in dignity and that kind
of thing and pay Master Frank back in
his own coin. do not see, after all,
that he is the martyr"
Lambert's voice got softer, for he
still held Mrs. Townley's fingers, the
footman not having the matter in his
eye, and then he spoke still more seri-
ously on sentimental affairs of his own,
in which he evidently hoped she would
take some interest. Indeed it is hard to
tell how far the case might have been
pushed if she had not suddenly looked a
little forbidding and impcrious, for
even people Of no notable height, with
soft features, dark brown eyes and a de.
ightful little laugh, may appear rather
regal at times. Lambert did not quite
understand why she should take this at
titude. If he had been as keen regarding
his own affairs Of the affections as in
the case Of Frank Armour and his In
dian bride, he had known that every
woman has in her mind the occasion
when she should and when she should
not be wooed, and nothing disappoints
her more than a declaration at time
which is not her time. If 1t does not
fall out as she wishes it, retrospect, a
dear thing to woman, is spoiled. Many
man has been set to the right about
because he has ventured in proposal at
the wrong time. What would have o.
CURED to Lambert it is hard to tell, but
he saw that something was wrong and
stopped in time.
When General Armour and his party
reached Greyhope, it was late in the
evening. The girl seemed tired and con-
fused by the events Of the day and did
as she was directed indifferently, limp
ly. But when they entered the gates of
Greyhope and travelled up the long ave-
nue. OF lines she looked round her some-
what eagerly and drew o long sigh,
maybe Of relief or pleasure. She pres.
emily stretched out hand almost caress-
ingly to the thick trees and the grass
and said aloud. ooh, the beautiful trees
and the long grassp' There was whir
Of birds wings among the branches,
and then presently there rose from a
distance the sweet gurgling whistle of
the nightingale. A smile as Of remi.
niscence crossed her face Then she said,
Is if to herself: 1T is the same. shall
not die. hear the birds wings, and
one is singing. It is pleasant to sleep in
the long grass when the nights are sum.
mer and to hang your cradle in the
trees"
She had asked for her own blanket,
refusing rug. when they left st. Al
bans. and 1t had been given to her. She
drew it about her now with feeling of
comfort and seemed to lose the horrible
sense Of strangeness which had almost
convulsed her when she was put into
the carriage at the railway station. Her
reserve had hidden much Of what she
really felt, but the drive through the
lines had shown General Armour and
his wife that they had to do with ma
ture having capacities for sensitive feel.
ing, which, it is sometimes thought, Is
only the prerogative of certain we'll bred
civilizations.
But it was impossible that they should
yet, or for many day, feel any sense
Of kinship with this aboriginal girl.
Presently the carriage drew up to the
doorway, which was instantly open to
them. A broad belt of light streamed
out upon the stone steps. Far back in
the hall stood Marion, one hand upon
the balustrade Of the staircase, the 9TH
er tightly held at her side. as if to nerve
herself for the meeting. The eyes of the
Indian girl pierced the light, and. as il
by q strange instinct, found those Of
Marion even before she left the carriage
Lali felt vaguely that here was her pos
sible enemy. As she stepped out Of the
carriage, General Armour's hand under
her elbow to assist her, she drew her
blanket somewhat more closely about
her and so proceeded up the steps. The
composure Of the servants was in the
circumstances remarkable. It needed to
have been, for the courage displayed by
Lali's two new guardians during the
day almost faltered at the threshold Of
their own home. Any sign Of surprise
OF amusement on the part of the domes-
tics would have given them some pain
ful moments subsequently. But all was
perfectly decorouS Marion still stood
mottonless, almost dazed The group
advanced into the hall and there paused,
- If waiting for her.
At that moment Richard came out Of
the study at her right hand. took her
arm and said quietly: Come along,
Marion. Let us be as brave as our father
and mother"
She gave O hard little gasp and SEEM
I'd to awake as from o dream. She
quickly glided forward ahead Of him,