The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1908-02-21

There was a stir in the forward
part of the car. A man, hitherto sit
ting quietly by the side of an alert
wiry little fellow who sat next the
aisle, had attempted to bolt the car
by springing over the empty seat in
front of him and making a dash for
the door. 1t was daring, but in vain.
His companion, as agile as he, had
seized him and forced him again into
his place before the rest of the pas
sengers fully understood that the at
tempt had really been made.
us he crazy? Are they taking him
to Yankton?" asked Louise, the pretty
color all gone from her face. did he
think to jump off the train?"
''That's John Yellow Wolf, a young
half-breed. He's wanted up in the
Hills for cattle-rustling- States
court case. That's Johnson with him,
deputy United States marshal"
Poor fellow" said Louise, pityingly.
Don't waste your sympathy on such
as he. They are degenerates-many
of these half-breeds. They will swear
to anything. They inherit all the
evils of the two races. Good never
mixes. Yellow Wolf would swear him.
self into everlasting torment for pint
of whiskey. You see my cause of
complaint? But never think, Miss
Dale, that these poor chaps of half
breeds, who are hardly responsible,
are the only ones who are willing to
swear to damnable lies" There was
tang of bitterness in his voice. Per-
jury, Miss Dale, perjury through fear
of bribery or self-interest, God knows
what, it is there I must break, I sup
pose, until the day of judgment, un-
less-I run away"
Louise, through all the working of
his smart and sting, felt the quiet re-
serve strength of this man beside her,
and, with quick rush of longing to
do her part, her woman's part Of COM
forting and healing, she put her hand,
small, ungloved, on his rough coat
sleeve.
'1s that what you meant a while
ago? But you don't mean it, do you?
It is bitter and you do not mean it.
Tell me that you do not mean it, Mr..
Gordon, please" she said, impulsively.
Smothering wild impulse to keep
the hand where il had lain such a
brief, palpitating while, Gordon re-
manned silent. God only knows what
human longing he crushed down, what
intense encouragement, what sick de-
sire to lay down his thankless task
and f1co t. the uttcrnost parts of the
world &c 10 away from the crying
need he Ecj could not STILL Then he
answered simply, Il did not mean it,
Miss Dale
And then there did not seem to be
anything to say between them for a
long while. The half-breed had set
tied down with stolid Indifference.
People had resumed their newspapers
and magazines and day dreams after
the feeting excitement. It was very
warm. Louise tried to create little
breeze by Ticking her somewhat be-
grimed handkerchief in front of her
face. Gordon took a newspaper from
LID poSh0I, AO1OCu IL duu lduuou uGr
gently. He was not used to the little
graces of life, perhaps, but he did this
well. An honest man and a kindly
never goes far wrong in any direction.
"You must not think, Miss Dale" he
said, seriously, that it is all bad up
here. I am only selfish. 1 have been
harping on my own little corner Of
wickedness all the WHILE It is good
land. 1t will be better before long"
"When?" asked Louise.
when we convict Jesse Black and
when our Indian neighbcrs get over
their mania for divorce" he answered,
laughing softly.
Louise laughed merrily, and so the
journey ended as it had begun, with a
laugh and jest.
In the judges runabout, Louise held
out her hand. J:
I'm almost homesick," she cried.
smiling.