Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-04-23


from grizzlpd corporal in whom was
the hunger to talk. She had learned
of n family Of Rurrells whose maine
was known throughout the south and
that Meade Rmrrell came from the
Frankfort branch. the branch that had
raised the soldiers. His fither had
fought with Lee, ard an uncle was
now in the service at Washington. On
the mothers side the strain was equal
" militant. but the Meades had sought
the sea. The cid soldier had told her
mich more IF which she understood
lit.le-told her OF the young mans SIS
ter, who had come all the way from
Kentucky TO see her brother of when
he sailed from San Francisco: ted her
of the iculenant's many friends in
Washington and Of his family Ilame
and honor. The old soldier. further
more. had looked ut her keenly and
added thai the Rurrclls were known as
"divi!s amUug the weencn.
Resting thus on the steps OF Old
Man Gales store, the two talked on
till they were disturbed by the sound
of shrill voices approaching, at which
the man looked up. Coming down the
trail from the town were Il squaw and
two children At sight OF Necm the
little ones shouted gleefully and scam
pered forward, climbing over her like
half grown puppies. They were boy
and girl both brown as SiWashes, with
eyes like Jet beads and hair that was
straight and coarse and black. At y
glance Rurrc'l knew them for breeds.
and evidently the darker half was
closer TO the surface row. for they
chOked. gurgled, suffered and cough
ed in their Indian tongue, while Nccla
answered them likewise. AT a word
from her they turned and saw him.
thea. abashctl at the strange splendor
If his uniform, fell silent. pressing
close 10 her The squaw also seemed
TO resent bis presence. for after Il low
| ering glance she drew the shawl closer
about her bead and. leaving the trail.
SUNK out of sight around the corner
of the store.
Burrell looked up Mt his companions
clear cut, delicate face. at the wind
tanned cheeks against which her long
braids lay like the blue black locks OF
an Egyptian maid, then at her warm
dark eyes. fl which was hint OF the
golden light of the afternoon sun.
The bitter revolt that had burned In
him ut the prospect Of a long exile
died out suddenly. How fresh ana
| iowerlike she locked. and yet the wis
| dom Of her. He spoke impulsively:
81 am glad you are here, Miss Nccia
[ was glad thc moment | saw you. and
have been growing glaGder ever since
| for | never imagined there would be
anybody in this place but men and
soua ws-mcn who hate the law and
souaws who stink abeut-lil;e that
He nodded in the direction Of the In
dian woinaps disappearance.
She looked at him quickly.
well, what difference would thai
make"
Ugh! SQuaws and half breeds
Bis tone conveyed in full his ute
contempt.
A curiolsly startled look lay In bcI
eyes, and an inqulring. plaintlve Wrin"
kle came between her br0ws.
Il don't believe you understand she
said. Lieutenant Burrell. this is my
sister, Molly Gale, and this is my little
brother, john" Both round eyed elfs
made a ducking courtesy and bllnked
at the soldier. who gained his feet
awkwardly. a flush rising into his
cheeks.
From the regions at the rear OF the
store came the voice OF an Indian wO-
! man calling:
MEDIA, Necia"
Coming in moment" the girl call
ed back; then, turning to the young
officer. she added quietly: Mother
needs me now. Goodbys"