Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-09-24

ancestors had been in reading tn
signs Of the woods and the trackles
plains, he did not at first understand.
4 "And probably the only one heard o
in these parts for years, or likely to b.
for years to come" said Sherwood
his eyes alight with the thought Of
prospective discovery as precious t.
him as was the finding Of valuable
pocket Of gold to Californian or Aus
tralian miner in the days when sucf
a discovery might mean limitles.
wealth. 81 call it distinctly providen'
tial"
"Providential?" repeated Swiftwind
knitting his brows in a way which was
quite unusual to him. II don't under.
stand you"
Sherwood moved uneasily, impa-
tiently.
Have you forgotten my theories or
fever germs" he exclaimed, wrapped
up in his subject, and thinking only OF
that, with that devotion to one subject
which in all specialists is apt to ap-
proach monomania. Her death will
give me the very opportunity I de-
sire"
| Swiftwind understood now, and de-
scended though he was from a long
line of savage ancestors, he shuddered
inwardly at the cold -bloodedness OF
this man who saw In the death Of g
fellow being only an opportunity to
advance. possibly to prove his own
theories.
| But perhaps she will not die" he
said, watching his colleague closely.
But she will die" retorted Sher-
wood. irritably, the wish evidently be-
ing father to the thought when q
patient reaches her stage, the thing Is
as good as settled"
AS he listened, Swiftwind's features
seemed to harden into bronze.
"I think comprehend you now" he
said.
| Sherwood turned quickly and looked
lat him. There was something In the
tone and manner of the young man be-
fore him that made him stir uneasily.
"But every precautiop must and
shall be used" went on Swiftwind
pointedly. 1.-THE cause of science can
never excuse willful neglect in saving
q human lffe."
well, we'll, am not doing my
best?" asked Sherwood, fretfully, an
lnoyed at himself for having spoken
fhore frankly than he had intended
and even more so at the other for not
agreeing with him. zone would think
we were treating a princess instead OF
a poor, ignorant"
He paused, but his sentence was
completed by Swiftwind with one sad
ly spoken word, in which there was no
touch Of rancor.
Indian" ..... ...
Sherwood felt as II he had struck
defenseless man and thrill Of shame
ran through him. Like him or not, he
knew this mans worth, and he had no
right to thus stab him in the most
vital spot. 80.
| John. / beg your pardon" he said,
land he meant II most sincerely.
DON'T" instantly replied Swiftwind,
shortly and coldly IT'S not necessary
Fifteen years among the whites should
have destroyed over-sensitiveness In
an Indian"
Although the words were quietly
spoken, there was a terrible undercur-
rent of sarcasm in them which the
chief surgeon felt, and which at once
destroyed all the softer remorseful
feeling which had been for the mo-
ment aroused, in him.
He listened to Swiftwind's next
words with nothing but antagonism,
and yet they were spoken in tone OF
pleading which the Indian rarely, al
most never, used.
"But, sir, putting the color of this
woman aside. she Is a mother"
Sherwood shrugged his shoulders.
starlight is old. enough to look out
for herself" he said with an indiffer-
ence which was not in the least feign-
ed. IF not, in case her mother does
die, l will take care Of her until she
U.s."
Swiftwind rose to his feet. He was
deeply moved and excessively angry,
but his countenance, trained to immo-
bility as 1t had been in his childhood,
betrayed little or nothing Of his feel
ings.
THAT will not be needed" he said.
II have learned what 1t is to live
among the whites and forget my
origin" He had been speaking very
slowly and picking his words. but now
he raised his head, and, with a slum-
bering fire in his eyes. ran on quickly,
exhibiting more excitement than Sher-
wood had ever seen him betray before.
1T was done in kindness, but 1t was
cruel. 1 am now neither white man
nor Indian. Without a people to call
mine, 1 am tolerated and patronized
by your race, while those Of my own
color distrust and despjse me. II
can help it, Starlight shall never suffer
the punishment l have borne"
Without waiting for any answer or
comment from the doctor, he wheeled
and, rapidly descending the steps. van
ished in the gathering gloom.
His words gave food for thought to
Sherwood in more directions than one.
His assistant was certainly most
singular fellow, and 1t was not safe to
trust him too far. In this he was
thinking of his own selfish ends, al
though he disguised them even to
himself by insisting that he was work
ing for the sake of humanity.
She was only an Indian, old and
useless. Living, she was a burden to
herself and others. Dead, he could
prove his theories, and such proof
might hereafter save the lives Of mill
lions. A sudden chill-it would take
but moment, and would decide ev-
erything.
And then, alternately flushing and
paling. DR.. Sherwood decided that 1t
might be we'll for him to go and see