Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-03-07
CHAPTER XII.
Waiting.

river, and the places where they laid
their heads at night were as shifting
IS the sands OF that rapid. ominous,
changing stream Of theirs. which ever
cut them of from the world OF their
fathers and kept them bound. but rest
less. chatting. in that same land where
their mothers had stared stolidly at a
strange little boatload tugging up the
river that was the forerunner OF the
ultimate destiny OF this broad north
west country. but which brought in
incidentally--as DO all big destlnies in
the great scheme bring sorrow 70
sons one-wrong. misunderstanding
forgetfulness. TO a once proud. free
people now in subsection.
At last tie authorities found trace
OF him far away at Standing Rock.
through the agent there. who knew
him as Of an ugly reputation dis
sipated. rowing prohigate who bad
long since sQuandered his government
patrimony. He had been mixed up in
sundry bad affairs in the past. and
had been an inveterate gambler. So
much only were the Kemah county
authorities able TO uncover Of the way
ward earthly career OF the dead man.
OF his haunts and cronles Of the
period Immediately preceding his
death. the agent could tell nothing.
He had not been seen az the agency
for nearly a year. The rcprobate band
had covered It's tracks we'll There
was nothing 20 do but lay the dead
body away and shovel oblivion over
its secret.
In the early morning after the re-
turn OF the men from their unsuccess-
ful man hunt. Gordon. gray and bag
gard from loss OF sleep and from hard
thought stepped out into the kitchen
10 stretch his cramped limbs He
stumbled over the figure Of Langford
prone upon the floor. dead asleep in
utter exhaustion. He smiled under
Etandingly and opened the outerdoor
quietly. hoping he had not aroused the
wornout boss The air was fresh and
cool. with hint Of autumn sharpness.
and a premature Indian summer haze.
that softened the gauntncss OF the
landscape. and made the distances
blue and rest-giving. He felt the need
OF IMMIGRATION after his nights virgil.
long strides. in pleasant anticipation
OF coming appetite for breakfast.
Thus II was that Langford. strug.
cling 10 a sitting posture. rubbing his
heavy eyes with dim consciousness
that he had been disturbed. and won
dering drowsily why he was so stupid.
felt something seeping through his
senses that told him he did not do
well 20 sleep. So he decided he would
take a plunge into the cold artesian
pond. and with such drastic measures
Danish once and for all the elusive yet
all-pervading cobwebs which chung TO
him. Rising 20 his feet with unusual
awkwardness, he looked with scorn
upon the hare floor and accused il
blindly and bitterly as the direct
cause OF the strange soreness that be-
set his whole anatomy. The lay OF the
floor had changed in night. Where
was SS2 He glanced heIplessly
about. Then he knew.
Thus IL was. that when Mary Ian
guidly opened her eyes a little later
It was the boss who sat beside her
and smiled reassuringly.
you have not slept a wink" she
creid. accusingly.
Indeed I have. he said. Three
whole hours. I feel tip-top."
You are-hbbing." she said. Your
eyes look so tired. and your face is all
worn"
His heart leaped with the Joy OF her.
solicitude.
You are wrong" he laughed.
teasingly. y slept on the floor; and a
good bed il was. too. No. Miss Willis
ton, ! am not all in yet. by any
means"
In his new consciousness, a new
formality crept into his way OF ad-
dressing her, She did not seem to
notice IL.
Forgive me for forgetting, last
night" she said, earnestly. 7 was
very selfish. i forgot that you Lad not
slept for nearly two days and were
riding all the while in-our behalf /
forgot. l was tired. and I went to-
sleep. ! want you to forgive me.
want you TO believe that / do appre-
ciate what you have done. My faith
er-"
Ion I uOu I, niue girl, cried
Langford. forgetting his new awe Of,
her maidenhood In his pity for the
stricken child.
My father" she went on steadily,
would thank you IL he were here. I
thank you, too. even IL did forget to
think whether or no you and all the
men had any sleep or anything to eat
last night. VIII you try 10 believe
that did not forget Willingly? was
so tired"
When Langford answered her.
which was not Immediately, his face
was white and he spoke quietly with
q touch Of injured pride.
IF you want 10 hurt us, Miss VII
liston. that is the way to talk We
cowmen do not do things for thanks"
She looked at him wonderingly a
moment then said. simply. Forgive
me-" but her lips were trembling and
she turned 10 the wall to hide the
tears that would come After all,
she was only a woman-with nerves
and the reaction had come.
The sheriff and his Marty of dfnu.