The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1906-12-21

| WIFI jelly anu INV PASS AAOA
ica's bundle, completed the feast. Ther'
was moments wait, while Boone salt
a short. quaint grace. 70 the CLOSING
words for the preservation of oul
lives he added an unctuous Amen,
exchanging glances with Winsiow. The
young man bowed lower, his thoughts
thus solemnly recalled to the danger
of the afternoon, safely passed
Then he changed the subject light
". 81 am glad came, even though
he added, reproachfully, our lady
here has broadly limited that | am un
necessary il not an unWelcome
guest. She tells me that did not iced
to come, for you were going to take
her home tomorrow. What do you
think of that for hospitality, sir?"
Lavender shook her head at this
teasing distortion of her words, but
before she could speak, Boone inter-
posed with gravity: "And did you tell
her that but for you there would nave
been no Dan Boone to escort ner-
or ANYBODY eise-to-morrow?
Lavender uttered a little scream OF
dismay, looking from one to the other
| fearfully.
Boone continued: "He could, had he
chosen. come out best in that argu-
ment, child. If it hadn't been for his
quick eye and hand, the woods would
never again have echoed to this gun,
and that red devil yonder would have
had another scalp at his belt-another
life on his soul"
Lavender was silent, awe-struck, and
for a space nobody spoke.
To break the spell which threatened
to mar the time, Boone said; see the
new moon! Let's made wish
And all three turned from the tire
light to see the crescent moon that,
like silver cradle, rocked star,
After a pause Boone asked: What
did we all wish?'
II can guess yours, colonel" Laven-
der said 1T was for good weather, or
full traps, or perhaps that the Indians
would let us alone"
mo, my girl, no. l am Indifferent
to weather; | am too old a hunter to
set traps this time of year, and as Tor
the Indians. well, Dan Boone has yet
to worry about them. No, mine was
the old, old story-a wish Tor my
land. my title. For you must know,
he added in explanation, that
have long coveted more of Mother
Earth than the bare six feet which
all men claim"
This was followed by hush, which
the host broke again: Yours was
something sentimental, no doubt
Lavender shook her head. No,
couldn't think of a trifling wish
something which did not matter-so-
so didn't wish at all. The real heart
desires, things l want very much-no,
l wouldn't trust them to a goddess so
capricious."
Winslow smiled at her fancy-her
manner, half serious, half jesting.
81 see you have imbibed some of
Americas supersititons. Now, l, on
the contrary, have trusted to the
moons tickle care grave responsible
! ity, the desire ON which my whole
! life turns"
His meaning tone made Lavender
tremble with an odd, confused joy.
The old man chuckled.
In the embarrassed calm which fol-
lowed, Owatoga emerged from the hut
where he had been caring for the
wounded savage, and with few strides
Joined the group. In his manner was
a suggestion of repressed excitement.
There was a glitter in the fathomless
eyes.
"Owatoga has something to tell, re-
marked Winslow. Let us hear it
! friend"
But the guide beckoned him mystic
riously apart and they conferred to-
gether
Winslow returned soon, and, with an
apology to Lavender, spoke into the
private ear of his host.
Boone's first involuntary start be-
trayed dismay.
What is the matter? Tell me, de-
manded the girl.
The three men exchanged glances.
Tell her." said Owatoga. The white
maid is no papoose to fear the paint
and feathers"
He is right" Boone agreed She
may as well know now. 1t may be
only false alarm. l must see this
, -edskin; and find out the truth - If
possible" he added, meaningly. In
I dians have lied before" With cyni7
cal smile that was half froWn, he
went to the hut where back in the
semi-darkness lay the wounded saw
age. like a wolf in his den, nothing
seen but the fierce and glaring eyes.
Meanwhile Owatoga stood at the
edge of the small clearing, his eye
intent upon the thicket.
Winslow moved close to Lavender as
he said: "Owatoga says that a party
of Usage Indians have planned to at
tack Col. Boone's cabin tonight The!
do not know of the presence of tn'
i rest of us, but are sure they have
trapped the old man at last"
And how did Owatoga learn this?'
har x-Oina xuo