The indicator., 1904-09-10
CHAPTER ".
ur MI Ora AHAaIruR

~
1 missionary. was standing
42) at the door of my school,
vatching the children ride Off home on
meir ponies. when HI came Looping
,,nng on his bronco In the loose Jolnted
| cowboy style.
swell" he drnwled out. bringing his
| bronco to dead stop In single bound,
hes lit"
lit Where? Whatf' said 1, look
ng round for an eagle or some other
iying thing
-Your blanked Sky Pilot. and he's
! beauty. pretty kid-looks too tender
for this climate. Better not let him
sut on the range" Hi was quite dis
usted evidently.
"what's the matter with him, HIP
"Why, he Amt no parson. don't
70 much on parsons. but when calls
for one | don't want no bantam chick
en-. No, Stree. horse. don't want
10 blankety-blank pink and white
eomplccted nursery kid foolin' round
my graveyard. II you're goin' to
bring along parson, why. bring him
With his eyeteeth cut and his tail
feathers on"
That Hi was deeply disappointed was
quite clear from the selection of the
profanity with which he adorned this
lengthy address. It was never the ex-
tent of his profanity. but the choice,
hat Indicated His Interest In any sub.
tect
Altogether the outlook for the mis-
Honary was not encouraging. With
the single exception of the ATurs who
really counted for little, nobody want.
ed him. To most OF the reckless young
bloods OF the Company of the Noble
Seven his presence was an ofrense, to
others simply nuisance. while the
Old Timer regarded his advent with
something like dismay. and now HIS
Impression of his personal appearance
was not cheering.
My first sight of him did not reassure
me. He was very slight, very Young,
very innocent. with face that might
DO for an angel. except for the touch OF
humor In II, but which seemed strange
y out OF place among thr rough, hard
hces that were to be seen In the Swan
Creek country. II was not IL weak face,
however. The forehead was high and
square. the mouth firm. and the eyes
were luminous. OF some dark color
violet. II there is such color in eyes
dreamy or sparkling. according to his
mood; eyes for which II wcmln might
ind use. but which in mi ssionary's
head appeared to me one Of those ex-
traordinary wastes of which nature IL
sometimes guilty.
He was gazing far away into space
infinitely beyond the foothills and tho
blue line of the mountains behind them.
He turned to me as drew near with
eyes alight and face glowing.
1T is glorious!" he almost painted.
"You see this every day Ther, re-
calling himself. he came eagerly to-
ward me, stretching out his hand.
You are the schoolmaster. know
Do you know. It's great thing! |
wanted to be one, but never could get
NE boys on. They always got M tell.
ing them tales. was awfully disap-
pointed. am trying the next best
thing. You see, won't have to keep
order. but l don't think 1 can preach
very well. am going TO visit your
school. Have you many scholars? DO
you know, think It's splendid! l
wish l could do It,"
l had intended to be somewhat stifr
With him, but his evident admiration
Of me made me quite forget this lauda.
Ole intention. and as he talked on with
out waiting for an answer his enthusi.
asm, his Difference to my opinion. his
charm of manner, his beautiful face.
mis- luminous eyes, made him perfectly
and before l was aware
was listening to his plans for working
his mission with eager interest. So
fore was aware found myself ask
Ing him to tea with me in my shack.
But he declined, saying:
I'D like to awfully; but. do you
know, think Latour expects me-"
This consideration of Latours feel
lngs almost upset me.
You come with me-" he added, and
went.
Latour welcomed us with his grim
old face wreathed In unusual smiles.
The Pilot has been talking to him too.
I've got IT, Latour! he cried out as
ne entered. Here you are" And he
broke into the beautiful French Cana
lian chanson "a Ia Claire Fontaine,"
to the old half breeds almost fearful
lelight.
DO you know" he went on. II heard
that first down the Mattawa." and
iway he went into story Of an ex-
'erience with French Canadian RATS
men, mixing up his French and Eng
ish In 80 charming manner that La
our, who In his younger days long ago
mad been a shantyman himself. could
hardly know whether he was standing
N his head or on his heels.
After tea proposed ride out to $50
ne sunset from the nearest rising
mound Latour, with unexampled
offered his own cayuse.
louis.
Il can't ride WELL" protested the
Plot.
-Ah. OATS good ponce, Louis" urged