The Opelousas courier., 1905-04-22
Agnes,

BY H-LEN FORREST GRAVES.

tie N. Dear me! l never ex
PEI e anything like this ever
in Far West"
8 a spacious, rOOmy kitchen
fuTllsned with an odd interminglins
OF luxury, privation and makeshift
At n end a large fire Of walnut anC
pine logs reared up the great, caver
nous chimney; at the other, two OF
three girls sat round a table; while
Ralph Davenant, the farmer, lay fas,
asleep on the chintz-cushioned lounge
lulled by the continuous rushing sound
OF the great western river that bound.
ed one extremity of his domains.
Guy Davenant sat near the girls
a tall, s%plendidly nodded young Apollo
Of the forest, with shady, hazel eyes,
and hair curling in black, silky rings
all over his head. He looked up
quickly as Miss Dickson spoke.
Agnes Oscawanda?" he exclaimed.
You say she's in the outer kitchen?
INF"
"Guy!" reproyed his sister. AN
Indian interpreters daughter!"
Helena ought to see ner," urged
Guy. She's as beautiful as a statue"
But she is old Oscawanda's daugh.
GER II she lives down by the falls"
What then? She is as intelligent
and cultivated as nine out of ten of
khe girls around here. Call her in, |
Jay, Or Ill go out there myself"
Julia Davenant rose with a curl to
aer lip, and opening the kitchen door,
Seckoned haughtily to a tall, slight
figure standing by the fire beyond.
Come in, Agnes" cheerily called
cut Guy, as if determined to atone for
his sisters evident lack OF courtesy,
snd Agnes Oscawanda entered, NOV
Ing with the slow, willowy grace of a
bending reed.
She was dark, but not darker than
mary a brunette of unblemished Sax
On lineage, with velvety soft y
W. black hair. Topped in heavy
'raids at the back of her head, and a
iellcate, oval face, with features
straight and pure as the outlines OF
l Greek model. Her dress was of
zone dark worsted stuff, with a scar
let shawl folded across her shoulders,
and a silken scarf was twisted about
''eT hair. She hung her head with evil
embarrassment at Helena Dick
s1ns bold stare.
II univ aamn fr hrinr Mr. no->~1-4
baskets he ordered of my father"
size said, in a low voice.
"fIut sit down and rest a few min
said Guy. You have walked a
loEg distance"
Agnes Oscawanda hesitated. Had
Guy Devanant's sisters confirmed the
request, she would have gladly rest
ed a little. But Julia and Clara sew.
ed on, without looking up, and Hell
ena's supercilious glance called the
red blood to her dark cheek.
No." size said, quietly. 81 must
&C."
Then | will walk a part of the way
with you" said Guy, jumping up for
his hat.
I don't think Agnes nas accustom-
I'd herself to an escort through the
woods" said Julia. rudeIy.
Indeed, I am not afraid" said the
daughter.
Afraid! 1t ISN'T a question Of
said Guy. ITS a lovely star
ignt night, and I would like the
walk"
The three girls eyed eacn other as
he door closed behind the Indian girl
her companion.
Very polite to rush off and leave
Helena in that sort of way" said
Clara, "the first nig.. of her visit
oh, don't care" said Helena, gig
cling. "A mere matter Of taste, I'm
ure."
ITS just like Guy, said Julia.
Agnes OscaWanda is well enough.
lare say, but she is only an Indian
'irl, and it is foolish to get her into
he notion of expecting the same at
entions that we receive"
Meanwhile hIr. Guy was walking
long the dreary forest paths with the
'eantiful young daughter of the In.
ian interpreter.
Not that | care for Agnes, though
ne is pretty enough to turn n
mans head thought the willful
Dung man, but I'll teach those girls
D treat her a little more civilly
rigat have they to bully and
,sult her? won't have it,"
And so, although Miss Dickson had
cen invited to make a visit to the
Western Wiidernesses, specially to
AIRY out a darling design Of Clara
nd Julia Davenant, that "a match"
aould be struck up-or, perhaps, zig
lted' would be the proper term-be-
Veen her and theft brother Guy, the
Dung gentleman persisted in treat
e her with nothing more than the
egulation civilty.
It's too meant" said Clara, pout-
g.
When Helena has such a nice lit
property of her own, too" added
lila.
And Helena, herself, who was get ;
ng into the sere and yellow leaf OF !
aidenaood, ourlad her hair. and an !
ntsd her cheeks with ..rose-bloom'
ore vigorously than ever, for Guy 7
avenaat was a husband well ~s.th s
e angling for. +
a n ~ e