Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-05-26

| ago, and her conversation with Stark
came back to her. What if 1t were
true-that which Runnion implied?
What If he did not intend to ask her,
after all? What If he had only been
amusing himself? She cried out sharp
ly at this, and when Doret staggered
In beneath a great load Of skins he
found her in strange excitement.
When he had finished his accounting
with the Indian and dismissed him
| she turned an agitated face to the
Frenchman.
"Poleon," she said, Pm in trouble.
oh, I'm in such awful troubled"
Its dat Runnion! seen i'm pass
on de store vile Pm down below"
His brows knit in a black scowl, and
his voice slid off pitch in tone.
wat he say, eh?"
mo, no; it's not that. He paid me
a great compliment" She laughed
harshly. why, he asked me to marry
him." The man beside her cursed at
this, but she continued: Don't blame
him for liking me. Pm the only wo-
man for 500 miles around-or 1 was
until this crowd came-so how could
he help himself? No; he merely
showed me what fool I've been"
II guess you better tell me all bout
dis ting" said Poleon gravely. "You
know I'm all tam ready for help you,
Necia. Wen you was little Teller an
got bust your finger you run to me
queeck, an feex it."
Eyes, l know, dear Poleon," she as
scented gratefully. You've been a
brother to me, and need you now
more than l ever needed you before.
can't go to father. He wouldn't I'M
derstand, or else be would understand
too much and spoil it all, his temper is
so quick. Don't think I'm unwomanly,
Poleon, for I'm not may be foolish
and faithful and too trusting, but I'm
not-unmaidenly. You see, I've never
been like other girls, and he was SO
fine. so different, he made me love
him. It's part Of n soldiers training
suppose. 1t was so sweet to be near
him and to hear him tell of himself
and all the world he knows. just let
myself drift I'm afraid-Im afraid l
listened too well and my ears heard
more than he said. My head is so full
Of books, you know"
Gle should have know dat, too"
said Poleon.
Eyes, she flared up. HE knew
was only an Indian girl.'
The only color in Doret's face lay
now in his cheeks, where the sun had
| 1,,,+ 1,. Oft l,or 1t
engaging smile-and laid his great
brown hand upon her shoulder softly.
'I'ye look in bees eye an I'm al
ways t'ink he's good man. dom
never t'ink he'll maxi fun Of poor little
gall
But he has, Poleon. That's just
what he has done" She came near to
breaking down and finished pathetical-
ly, lThey're telling the story on the
street, SO Runnion says"
"Dat's easy ting for feex," he said.
"Runnion she don spread no more
story lax dat"
II don't care what they say. want
the truth. l 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 /
couldn't see it until today. He's laugh
4 ing Mt me, Poleon; he's laughing at
me now! Oh. can't bear itv'
The Frenchman took up his wide hat
from. the counter and placed it care
fully upon his head, but she stopped
him as he moved toward the door, for
she read the meaning of the glare in
| his eyes.
i "Wait till you UNDERSTANDABLE, 1
say! He hasn't done anything yet"
Oats de trouble. I'm goin' max
i'm do somerin'."
mo, no! 1t isn't that. It's these
doubts that are killing me. I'm not
sure
81 hear plaintec," 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
came to you. That's what you must
find out for me-"
I'm good trader. Necia." said the
Canadian after moment. all max
bargain wit you now. If he say yes
he'll marry you l dom ask no more
but If he say no You geeve i'm to me.
Is it go?"
She hesitated, while he continued
musingly, II dom see how no man on
all dis WORT could lef' you Co." then
to her, "Waal. is it bargain:"
"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."
off he should refuse I'm marry
some one quick. 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 smcte 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 moment the spell left
him. the fire died down. leaving only a
Ao'AD "F>'hs III ilS lliiiSc. Ole clule
closer and continued:
"1ll never let them point at me and
say. There gees the squaw tllat-hc
threw away"
you max dis very hard ting for
me-" he said YEARLY
Listen" she went on, lashing her.
self with pity ana scorn. You saw
Father Barnum will be here on Sun
day. Well. I'll marry some one,
don't care who" Then. with sudden
inspiration, she cried: .I'll marry YOU.
You said could be wife to YOUR
He uttered a sharp cry. You mean
dat, Necia:"
Yes" she declared. why not?
You'll do 1t for my sake. won't your"
Would you STAN up Wit me long
| nj In