Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-25
AGNES. THE
INDIAN GIRL
Nv HELEN r. GRAVES
n INDIAN girl a real Indian

"A grill" exclaimed Helena DicK
so1, with little scream. Dear me!
never expected to see anything like TINS
even in the far west"
1t was spacious, roomy kitchen, fur'
nished with an odd intermlngling Of lux
ury, priyation and makeshift, Al one
end a large fire of walnut and pine logf
roared up the great, cavernous chin
ney; at the other. two or three girls sal
round table; working worsteds by the
light of solar lamp, while Ralph Dave
nant. the farmer, lay fast asleep on the
chintz- cushioned. lounge, lulled by tins
continuous rushing sound OF the grea1
western river that bounded one extrem'
ity of his domains.
Guy Dayenant sat near the girls
tall, splendidly nodded young Apollo Of
the forest, with shady, hazel eyes, anc
hair curling in black, silky rings all oVel
his head. He looked up quickly as MISS
Dickson spoke.
agnes Oscawanda?" he exclaimed
"You say she's in the outer kitchen
Why don't the women tell her to come
in?"
"Guy!" reproved his sister. An In
dian interpreters daughter!"
Helena ought to see her" urged Guy
"She's as beautiful as statue"
"But she Is old Oscawanda's daugh'
ter, and she lives down by the falls"
What then? She Is as intelligent ant
cultivated as nine out Of ten of the girls
around here. Call her in, say, or I'll
go out there myself" NJ
Julia Davenant rose with a curl tohel
lip, and opening the kitchen door, beck
oned haughtily to tall, slight figure
standing by the fire beyond.
Come in. Agnes" cheerily called Out
Guy, as If determined to atone for his sis
ter's evident want Of courtesy, and Ag'
mes Oscawanda entered, moving with
the slow, willowy grace Of bending
reed.
She was dark, but not darker than
many brunette of unblemished Saxon
lineage, with velvety soft eyes; raven
black hair, looped in heavy braids at the
back OF her head, and delicate, oval
face, with features straight and pure as
the outlines of Greek model. Hei
dress was Of some dark worsted stuff
with scarlet shawl folded across her
shoulders, and silken scarf was twisted
about her hair. She hung her head with
evident embarrassment at Helena Dick
sons bold stare.
II only came to bring Mr.. Davenant
the baskets he ordered Of my father
she said, In low voice.
"But sit down and rest a few min
utes," said Guy. you have walked
long distance"
Agnes Oscawanda hesitated. Had
Guy Davenant's sisters confirmed the
request, she would have gladly rested
little. But Julia and Clara sewed on,
without looking up, and Helena's super
cilious glance called the red blood to her
dark cheek.
NO" she said, quietly, II must go. "
"Then | will walk part Of the way
with you" said Guy, jumping up for
his hat q
II don't think Agnes has accustomed
herself to an escort through the woods"
said Julia, rudely.
Indeed, l am not afraid, said the in
terpreter's daughter,
Afraid It's a lovely starlit night,
and would like the walk"
The three girls eyed each other as the
door closed behind the Indian girl and
her companion.
every polite to rush OF and leave
Helena in that sort Of way" said Clara,
"the first night Of her visit here
"Oh, | don't care" said Helena, gig
Cling. "A mere matter Of taste, I'm
sure"
ats Just like Guy" said Julia. Gag
mes oscawanda is well enough, dare
say, but she Is only an Indian girl, and
It is foolish to get her into the notion Of
expecting the same attentions that we
receive"
Meanwhile Mr.. Guy was walking along
the dreary forest paths with the beauti-
full young daughter Of the Indian In
terpreter.
"Not that care for Agnes, though she
Is pretty enough to turn any mans