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

capped him to find that it was still in-
tact.
"Oh, come on" exclaimed Dare, i'm
patiently. % 1t, he knows what
you mean"
And he started away for the opening
in the palisade, followed more slowly
by Higgs. :.
Just as the latter reached the gate
a girl came through, girl with q
blanket over her head, from under the
folds of which shone an exceedingly
pretty copper-hued face, illumined by
large, dark, mournful eyes. 4
Ever susceptible to the fair sex
Higgs paused. This was a regular
Minnehaha. 1t was a new experience;
he must cultivate her. He stretched
out one hand to lay 1t detainingly upon
her arm. But the girl drawing her
self up to her full height, flashed up
on him such a disdainful, threatening
glance that involuntarily his arm fell
to his side and he allowed her to pass
without further molestation, either of
word or action. +
The Indian girl hurried forward to
where Swiftwind was still standing
upon the steps of the chief surgeons
quarters.
AS he saw her, he advanced to meet
her. In spite of the fact that he had
lived most Of his life among and un-
der the influence of the whites, there
was somthing in the sight of one of
his own people that affected him as
nothing else could.
What news, child?" he asked.
Starlight looked UP at him trusting
ly She knew that he was Of her own
blood and her friend, and that she
could confide in him without reserve.
1T is WELL" she answered, without
outward emotion, whatever might have
been her inward feelings, thus con-
forming to the traditions of her race
which had been taught her from ear
liest, childhood. "Sleep has descend
ed upon her eyes, and 1t is well with
her."
Swiftwind took her hand. startling
her little, for she had not been ac-
customed to any show of sympathy.
And indeed the action, after the first
impulse which prompted 1t, seemed to
the young Indian himself something
foreign to his instincts, and some-
what abnormal It was prompted
more by what he had been taught than
what was inherent in him, that is, the
action itself, not the feeling behind 1t.
THAT is good" he said, dropping her
hand and speaking in monotone,
which was more familiar to Starlight
and which she understood better than
any show Of emotion. You have not
been too near her, Starlight"
mo. Swiftwind said the white doc
tor must be obeyed. So lay outside
the hut, and watched so that the great
spirit might not come for my mother
while her child was gone"
"You look worn out, Starlight. You
must rest"
"Yes." she answered, with a faint,
sad smile. while my mother sleeps
| will rest. Swiftwind has been good,
and Starlight must learn to repay"
Her tone was not in consonance
with her words. that is to the ears Of
white men. 1t was too colorless. to
but Swiftwind under
stood, and knew that she was CRATE
full
go back to your watch" he said,
and started to accompany her to the
gate.
But before they had traversed half
the distance they were met by DIR.
who was returning from his
duties at the hospital.
AS he caught sight Of the Indian girl
the surgeon paused, and addressed her
with suppressed eagerness.
Starlight! You here? What Is It?
Is your mother dead?"
Starlight made no reply. but shrank,
as IL frightened, behind Swiftwind.
mo" said the latter, replying to the
question which had not been addressed
to him. mo, doctor, she Is better"
A shade Of disappointment swept
over the face Of the surgeon, but slight
as it was, his Indian assistant, skilled
In reading signs, caught 1t and Won
dered at 1t.
Better" echoed Sherwood. Swift
wind, want word with you. Send
the child away"
Swiftwind hesitated a moment, and
then turning to the Indian girl, said:
"Wait for me a moment, Starlight,
beyond the palisade. I will come to
you, and find you a place in the hos
pital." f.
The child, for she was little more
than that, crossed her hands over her
breast in token Of submission.
"Swiftwind is good and honest" she
starlight will wait"
And then she glided noiselessly away
the cleaning, disappearing
like a spirit in the deepening shadows.
Sherwood and Swiftwind walked ST.
lently side by side until they reached
the formers house. Then the chief
surgeon motloned his subordinate to
one of the chairs with which the piaZ-
"a was plentifully furnished, and seat
ed himself in another.
"She is better, you say?" he asked.
in q strained voice which he In vain
attempted to render normal.
Swiftwind caught the strangeness OF
the tone, but was at loss just then
TO account for 1t.
Yes" he said, slowly. "She Is sleep
ing"
"Humph! That indicates nothing.
Have you diagnosed the case"
mo. l have been busy at the hos
pital. You wished to keep the case
in your own hands, and l felt she was
safer under your superior skill. What
II is?'
Sherwood did not reply at once. He
was wondering whether he should re-
veal the true state of the case or not.
There had never been much sympathy
between the two men, closely connect