Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-11-12

peace and quiet upon the lands ser
apart for; them and not go abroad
stealing and slaughtering? Why do my
own people not give back to their
brothers the country that is rightly
theirSY'
Once more Squaw Charley stopped
forward and, resting his weight on one
hand, traced the return march OF the
troopers to a crossing of the Missouri.
where the command had buried its
dead; from there he drew the route
southwark to the ferry and Fort Bran
non. Here he stuck the splinters In
circle to picture the stockade below the
barracks. At last, rising, he drew his
blanket close about him, put the grain
sack over his tangled hair and, with 4
parting look toward Dallas and the
evangelist, went slowly out.
Perfect quiet followed the pariah's
going His recital of the conflict, dumb
though it was, had powerfully stirred
the little audience, for as he had pro-
ceeded with his crude mimicry the i'm
agination of the others had filled in
the scenes lie could not sketch.
capable Of feeling, yet dislikins to
show emotion because it might be
counted weakness, he FASTENED to
clear the air. Say, Dallas" he drawi'
ed, with survey of the battlefield, The
ought t. had some red Mexican beans
fer his Injuns." But the remark faileC
to appeal.
David Bond made a shakedown for
himself beside Lancaster's bunk, using
an armful OF hay and the robes and
quilts from his pung. However, the
| fact that he needed rest or that his
couch was ready did not tempt him
| from the fire. Long after his host dis
appeared behind the swinging Navajo
| blankets he sat by the hearth. And
Dallas stayed with him, Marylyn's
sleepy head pillowed in her lap.
The elder girl felt strangely drawn
| to him. He returned the interest he ia
| spired. Like Lounsbury, he marked
| the unusual character Of this woman
| of the far frontier. But he saw further
| than had the younger man: With her
| father and sister she was all firmness
and strength. as if she held herself to
| be the mainstay OF the family, yet
| now and then unwittingly she betray-
| ed qualities that were distinctly oppo-
| site. Like Lounsbury, too. when he
| touched upon the subjec. Of her life
! it was to inquire if she had spent any
| of its years in 4 town. He felt certain
| that she had not: at the same time his
belief was curiously contradicted by
| her bearing.
| I'll always live on the Plains" she
said, having told him Of the mesa and
their migra ton north. IF l left 'em
| for awhile I'd learn things I don't
| know now, and when I came back
| maybe / wouldn't be satisfied with the
shack or with dad and Marylyn."
| Child, where did you get that
thought" he asked, astonished.
| 81 don't know-only my mother
| would "a been happy in Texas if she'd
been born there. But she wasn't. and
she wanted her old home till she died"
She wanted her old home till she
quiet pathos of it barred to him the
tragedy of that mothers exile.
Never great city, daughter" he
advised. ''Stay here, menaced by In
dams. among rough men and women,
| with storms and toll besetting you, but
never go to a great city. 1t Is close
and dirty and paved, and in it no man
may fill his lungs with pure air or
touch his feet to Gods green earth
"In cities" questioned Dallas, but in
low tone. as If she wished no one to
overhear-"in cities do-do the women
dress like me?" She raised herself q
little though without disturbing Mary
Ign, so that he might see her plain,
collarless waist and straight, scant
skirt
He gave her a Smile-a smile as rare
and transforming as her own. She
had allowed him a glimpse of her sup.
pressed girlishness. Would that they
did, my daughter" he answered.
II mean i'll cities like-like-Bis
marck." she said, trifle consciously.
"Perhaps-some-eh- me see" He
was perplexed. He saw the eager light
in her face, saw that for some reason
she was striving to compare herself
with the women Of the settled districts
|
she had feared might bring dissatisfac
, ton with her life. He did not wish tt
J teach discomfort. He would not tel
an untruth. So he created diversion
by taking up his ulster and searching
in capacious pocket.
But they-they-don't plow."
David Bond brought forth limp ant
battered Bible. NO" he said; mo
they-they don't plow."
"Ahw She looked into the fire. O
a sudden two memories had returned
one of the passing musicians, witt
their nudging and insolent smirks; tn
other of a man who had leaned bacl
in his saddle and laughed-after all
perhaps not at her name.
3 IL suppose they're more like Mary
! lyn," she faltered.
l The evangelist adjusted his silve
/ ~