Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-02-01
Agnes,
theIndianGirl
BY II LEN toRRHs. GRAVES.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

An Indian girl, real Indian girl!
exclaimed Helena Dickson, with lit.
tie scream. Dear me! | never ex-
pected to see anything like this even
in the Far West"
1t was spacious, roomy kitchen,
furnished with an odd interminglng
OF luxury, privation and makeshift.
AT one end large fire of walnut and
pine logs reared UP the great, caver-
nous chimney; at the other, two or
three girls sat round a table; while
Ralph Davenant, the farmer, lay fast
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. splendidly 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?
Why don't the women tell her to come
in?"
"Guy!" reproved his sister, An
Indian interpreters daughter!"
Helena ought to see her." urged
Guy. She's as beautiful as statue"
But she is old Osca wanda's daugh.
ter. and she lives down by the falls"
What then? She is as intelligent
and cultivated as nine out of ten of
the girls around here. Call her in,
say, or III go out there myself"
Julia Davenant rose with curl to
her lip, and opening the kitchen door,
beckoned haughtily to a tall, slight
figure standing by the fire beyond.
Come in, Agnes" cheerily called
out Guy, as if determined to atone for
his sisters evident lack of courtesy
and Agnes Oscawanda entered, NOV.
ing with the slow, willowy grace of a
bending reed.
She was dark, but not darker than
many brunette of unblemished Sax.
on lineage, with velvety soft eyes,
raven black hair, looped in heavy
braids at the back of her head, and a
delicate, oval face, with features
straight and pure as the outlines of
q Greek model. Her dress was of
some dark worsted stuff, with scar
let shawl folded across her shoulders,
and - silken scarf was twisted about
her hair She hung her head with evi.
dent 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 few min
utes." said Guy. You have walked a
long. distance"
Agnes Oscawanda hesitated. Had
Guy Devanant's sisters confirmed the
request. she would have gladly rest
ed 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" she said. quietly. Il must
60"
Then l will walk part of the way
with you" said Guy. jumping up for
his hat.
Il don't think Agnes mas accustom
ed herself to an escort through the
woods" said Julia. rudely.
Indeed, l am not afraid" said the
interpreters daughter.
Afraid! 1t ISN'T question OF
fear" said Guy. Its a lovely star
light night, and I would like the
walk"
The three girls eyed eacn other as
the door closed behind the Indian girl
and her companion
Very polite to rush off and leave
Helena in that sort of way" said
Clara, 1.-The first nigau Of her visit
here"
oh. l don't care" said Helena, gig.
Cling. "A mere matter of taste. I'm
sure"
ITS just like Guy said Julia.
Agnes Oscawanda is well enough,
dare say, but she is only an Indian
girl, and 1t is foolish to get her into
the notion of expecting the same at
tentions that we receive
Meanwhile nlr. Guy was walking
along the dreary forest paths with the
beautiful young daughter of the In.
dian interpreter.
Not that care for Agnes, though
she is pretty enough to turn any
mans head" thought the willful
young man, but III teach those girls
to treat her little more ciyilly
What right have they to bully and
insult her? / won't have it."
And so, although Miss Dickson had
been invited to make visit to che
Western wildernesses, specially tc
carry out a darling <>sign of Clara
and Julia Davenant, that "a match
should be struck up-or. perhaps, zig
nited" would be the proper term-be
tween her and Their brother Guy, the
young gentleman persisted in treat
ing her with nothing more than the
regulation civilty.
Its too meant" said Clara. pout
ing.
When Helena has such nice lit
tie property of her own, too," added
Julia.
And Helena, herself, who was get
ting into the sere and yellow leaf o
maidenhood. ourled her hair, and an
ointed her cheeks with bloom
more vigorously than ever, for Gu,
Davenant was husband well wortl
the angling for.
But you'll ask Agnes Oscawanda t,
your picnic party. girls?"
Indeed, we shall not!' Julia Daven
ant answered, with a toss of he
naughty head. IAN Indian girl
What would people say?"
Then l shant come to it," sait
Guy. Independently.
Julia burst into tears.
Guy, you are too hateful for any
thing! And Helena thinks SO mucl
of the picnic"
Not enough, it seems, to treat 4
harmless. pretty girl with ordinar!
deency." said Guy. angrily. "Sh'