Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1909-06-18


been like other girls, and he was so
fire. so different, he made me love
him. It's part of soldiers training.
| suppose 1t was so sweet to be near
him and to hear him tell Of himself
and all the world lie knows. | just let
myself drift. I'm afraid-Im afraid
listened too we'll and my ears heard
more than he said My head Is so full
Of books, you know"
"He should have know dat, too
said Po!eon.
YES" she fiared up. "He knew |
was only an Indian girl"
The only color tn Dorets face lay
now In his cheeks, where the sun had
put II, but he smiled at her-his warm,
engaging smile-and laid his great
brown hand upon her shoulder softly
'I've look in bees eye an I'm al
ways tink he's good man. | don
never t'ink he'll max fun Of poor little
gal"
But he has, Poleon. That's just
what he has done" She came near to
breaking down and finished pathetical-
ly, They're telling the story on the
street, so Runnion says"
Oats easy ting for feex," he said.
"Runnion she don spread no more
story lax dat"
81 don't care what they say. | want
the truth. | want to know what he
means, what his intentions are. He
swears he loves me. and yet he has
never asked me to marry him. He has
gone too far. He has made a fool of
me to amuse himself, and-and l
couldn't sec it until today. He's laugh
ing at me, PoIeon; he's laughing at
me now! Oh, can't bear it,
The Frenchman took up his wide hat
from the counter and placed 1t care
fully upon his head, but she stopped
him as he moved toward the door, for
she read the meaning Of the glare in
MS eyes.
- "Wait till you UNDERSTANDABLE,
ray! He hasn't done anything yet"
Oats de trouble. I'm goin' maxi
i'm do somet'in'."
"No, no! 1t Isn't that. It's these
doubts that are killing me. I'm not
sure
II hear plaintee,' he said. "Dere's
no tam for monkey roun'."
II tell you he may be honest" she
declared. He may mean to marry
me, but I've got to know. That's why
l came to you. That's what you must
find out for me-"
"I'm good trader, Necia," said the
Canadian after a moment. "I'll maxi
bargain wit you now. If he say yes
he'll marry you dom ask no more,
but If he say no you geeve i'm to me.
Is 1t goT'
She hesitated, while he continued
musingly, II dom see how no man on
all dis worp could lef' you CO." then
to her, "Waal, is it bargainT'
"Yes," she said, the Indian blood
speaking now, "but you must learn the
truth. There must be no mistake.
That would be terrible"
"Dere ain goin' be no mistak'."
"If he should refuse I-I'll marry
some one quick. I won't be laughed
at by this camp. won't be joke.
Oh, Poleon! I've given myself to him
just as truly as if-well, he-he has
taken my first kiss"
Doret smote his hands together at
this and began to roll his head back
ward~from side to side as if in some
great pain, but his lips were dry and
silent. After q moment the spell left
him. the fire died down, leaving only q
dumb agony in its place. She came
closer and continued:
"I'll never let them point at me and
say, There goes the sQuaw that-he
threw away"
''You maxi dis very hard ting for
me-" he said YEARLY.
Listen" she went on, flashing her.
self with pity and scOrn. you say
Father Barnum will be here on Sun
day. Well. I'll marry some one,
don't care who" Then, with sudden
inspiration, she cried: 'T'll marry you.
You said | could be wife to your
He uttered sharp cry. "You mean
dat, Neciaf'
YES" she declared. "Why not?
You'll do it for my sake, won't you?"
would you STAN up wit me long
side of de prizes, lovin' dat oder Teller
all de tam?" he asked queerly.
Eyes, yes! I'd rather it was you
than anybody, but married I'll be on
Sunday I'll never let them laugh at
me-"
Doret held his silence for moment;
then he looked up and said in level
tones:
ats easy ting for go an ask i'm,
but you mus hear hees answer wit
your own ears; den you can't t'ink I'm
lynn. III fetch i'm ere On dis place If
you feex it for hide you'se'f benin
dose post" He indicated bundle Of
furs that were suspended against pill
lar and that offered ample room for
concealment. "Dere's goin' be no lies
today
He pulled himself together and went
out with the tired gait of an old man,
his great shock head bowed low. A
few moments later he returned.
1--WE sent III Jean for i'm. You get
In dere out of Sight-an' wait"
CHAPTER MI.
TANGLED SKEiN.
XXYHEN Burrcll entered he vast