Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-02-01
Agnes,
theIndianGipl
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

AN Indian girl, real Indian grill"
exclaimed Helena Dickson, with a lit
tie scream. Dear me! l never ex-
pected to see anything like this even
in the Far West"
1t was spacious, roomy kitchen,
furnished with an odd intermingling
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 OscaWanda's daugh-
ter, and she lives down by the falls. 2
, What then? She is as Intelligent
and cultivated r1in ~ oF
the girls around here. Call her in, I
say, or III go out there myself"
Julia Davenant rose with a curl to
her lip, and opening the kitchen door,
beckoned haughtily to 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, wilEowy grace of a
bending reed.
She was dark, but not darker than
on lineage, with velvety soft eyes,
raven black hair, Topped in heavy
braids at the back of her head, and a
delicate, oval face, with features
straight and pure as the outlines of
a Greek model. Her dress was OF
some dark worsted stuff, with a scar
let shawl folded across her shoulders,
and silken scarf was twisted about
her hair. She hung her head with evil
dent embarrassment at Helena Dick
sons bold stare.
Il 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 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." she said, quietly. II must
co."
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, am not afraid" said the
interpreters daughter.
Afraid! 1t ISN'T a question OF
fear said Guy. TITS 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, "the first nignt of her visit
here"
"On, don't care" said Helena, gig
Cling. !" A mere matter OF taste, I'm
sure"
ITS just like Guy,' said Julia
Agnes Oscawanda is we'll enough, |
dare say, but she is only an Indian
girl, and it is foolish to get her into
the notion of expecting the same at.
tentions that we receive"
Meanwhile Mr.. Guy was walking
along the dreary forest paths with the
beautiful young daughter of the In.
dian interpreter.
'Not that l care for Agnes, though
she is petty enough to turn any
mans head" thought the willfu
young man, "but III teach those girls
to treat her a little more civilly
What right have they to bully and
insult her? / won't have it,"
And so, although Miss Dickson hai
been invited to make a visit to the
Western wildernesses, specially tt
carry out a darling design of Clara
and Julia Davenant, that "a match
should be struck up-or, perhaps, zig
aited" would be the proper term--be