Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-18

AA"'iNAOtt DiuuCu, the DTanCn IIiut Eau
raised the soldiers. His father had
fought with Lee. and 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 old soldier had told her
much more, Of which she understood
little-told her Of the young mans SIS
ter, who had come all the way from
kentucky to see her brother off when
he sailed from San Francisco. told her
OF the Heutenant's many friends in
Washington and OF his family name
and honor. The old soldier. further
more, had looked at her keenly and
added that the Burrells We're known as
''divils among the weemen."
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 a squaw and
two children. At sight Of Necia 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 a
glance Burrell knew them for breeds"
and evidently the darker half was
closer to the surface now, for they
choked. gurgled. suffered and cough.
ed IN their Indian tongue. while Mocha
answered them likewise. At a word
from her they turned and saw him.
then. abashed at the strange splendor
OF his uniform, fell silent, pressing
close to her. Tho squaw also seemed
to resent his presence, for after d low
ering glance she drew the shawl closer
about her head and. leaving the trail,
SUNK out of sight around the corner
Of the store.
Burrell looked up at his companions
clear cut. delicate face, at the wind
tanned checks. against which her long
braids lay like the blue black locks Of
an Egyptian maid, then at her warm.
eyes, in which was a hint of the
golden light Of the afternoon sun.
AS O@NlSA iCNpIl tldl iluu UuTLieU IN
him Mt the prospect of a long exile
died out suddenly. How fresh and
fowerlike she looked, and yet the wis.
dom Of her! He spoke impulsively:
Il am glad you are here. Miss Necia.
] was glad the moment ! saw you. and
] have been growing gladder ever since.
for l never imagined there would be
anybody In this place but men and
who hate the law n
squaws who stink about-like that"
He nodded In the direction Of the In.
alan woman's disappearance.
She looked at him quickly.
"Well. what difference would that
make"
Ugh! Squaws and half breeds"
.is tone conveyed IN full his utter
contempt.
A c%uriously startled look lay In her
eyes, and an inqulring, p~laintive wrln.
k!e came between her brows. .
Il don't believe you understand" she
said. Lieutenant Burrell, this Is NV
sister, Molly Gale, and this Is my little
brother, John" Both round eyed elfs
made a ducking courtesy and blinked
at the soldier. who gained his feet
awkwardly, a flush rising into his
From the regions at the real Of the
store came the voice Of an Indian wo.
man calling:
"Necia! Necia."
Coming In a moment" the cir! call
nack; then, turning to the young
'nicer. she added quietly: Mother
leeds me now. Goodby."