The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-15
THE BRANDING OF EPPIE.
HOW THE BRAND OF IGNOlIINE
 BECAME 4 BADGE OF HONOR.

oLNGtIuG Il o<1DUL OG AC@NO4GH A Romantic Incident in a Eucalyptus
 GrOve-Bob and His Desperate Losing
 Game of Love.
 Bob turned backward toward the heart of the eucalyptus grove. con- vinced that no intruder had struck into the trail made of Mazos hoof prints across the gray desolation. The sun blazed From the zenith, and the gallop over the sand had brought out dark red glow over Bob's well tanned fea- lures.
 He knew it would be ours before the stage passed to the north, and yet, as he strolled along, he felt annoyed at the creaking of his boots and the dry rustling of the fallen leaves. Once he iurched heavily at a lizards scurrying over dead ibough, and involuntarily laid his broad palm over d bulking hip pocket; he threw out an angry oath as he realized or the first time in his lif.. that even under is well sinewed frame Were nerves.
 But Bob was desperately in earnest, and he began to chide himself, his voice low and rumbling.
 You fool! Going to back down a. ready when the game is just about won. You're acting like a kid By God! you're a nice one to let tine crack of leaf terrorize you!"
 His dropping courage seemed to re- vive a little at this soliloquy, and he hastened his steps, treading more firm ly toward the tree to, which hc had bound Eppie, the Indian girl. Only now had it seemed possible for him to i proceed with his bizarre work, though | this was the fourth time he had gone out to the fringes of the grove and re- turned.
 He looked hard at the girl. hoping for | some signs of relenting, before picking up small steel instrument which lay on piece of soiled and crumpled l newspaper. He began to pick tiny flecks on Eppie's low, dark brow, when he noticed the firm set expression of ! her mouth. His hands fell to trem- bling as the tears trickled down her cheeks; but after wiping them away with blue Handkerchief which hn Whisl1eI frorr his throat he went dog gedly on with his work.
 "I'm marking the last brow,'' he | pleaded, "and it's not too late yet. Don't be stubborn, Eppls. If y1u agree ! I'll not put on bit oe t1e charcoal. | We can go into town after dark and hunt up a justice. But If ynu :ecGse, by God I'll put it on so ,S they'll sec l it mile on dusty road" T never can like you or ynGr people, |" she answered, frowning darkly. "Th"y | are more treacherous than my people. Why did you tell me in this school yard that my brother was in this | grove? I hate all your people. No white man is kind to an Indian girl; he is ashamed Of an Indian girl" I "Notwllen they're your kind, Eppie." Bob laughed loudly, and put down the steel instrument long enough to gently stroke the girls hair.
 You say SOL was Eppie's quick re- ! ply, but wait for two or three years. I know. I can see at the ranches near the reservation. My father was white; | lch AiCtIC yOus LAidk lo WlIN I never will consent to be your wo- \ man"
 l But no Indian will have anything to l do with you when by names on your
 forehead" Bob leaned forward and
 kissed the tiny scarlet dots. Your own mother" he threatened, twill | turn you out of the house when you go back in vacation.'
 ! The girl began to sob, muttering over
 and over again. You are a mean
 white mani" But there was no yield
 ing in her nIuttering, and Bob grew | tired of looking in vain for the least
 sign of wavering. His entreaties and
 threats had not brought him one tender l glance.
 His own eyes now grew misty, and
 an oath so loudly fierce escaped hin,
 that he started and peered anxiouslS
 for a second through the groves aisles
 to the open beyond. Then he began tc
 work furiously, and quickly but gently
 he rubbed in the powdered charcoal
 that stamped the name Bob" on hel forehead.
 It was several weeks later that ED.
 pie so savagely closed the door of hel
 bare little room, as if to shut out hel
 small world and every one in it. Her
 mood was one of forlorn detection
 She walked toward a small mirror
 hanging near the window, and pushins
 back the sAands of hair, which sht
 now wore low to cover her brow \ looked very solemn at the black tattoo