The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1913-11-27
WACHITA FROM BIG RIVER
BY e. EcKMAN.

Drearily the hours passed, and the
noise of the storm was only broken
by the occasional
howls of preda- M
tory beasts.
! 1t was after w
midnight when NA
Mrs. H 20 Id ness hMS
! !. !. . !. . !. !. !. . !. /. !. ! !. !. !. . . .
heard the door ~ AM
shake as though -
some hi ng had IN &X-SS
fallen against it. lHXQSzMIySA
Opening it quick HMEH&F&O
| ly she found her SWaAXZ.lN
son John upon his &@AIIA lMb
| knees, reaching XlEyyWMWlN
for the latch; and NNll ~ MUUllIl
in his arms, half oNEN ~ MNl
held and half UVElEAI lNWl
dragged, was the Vcl Va IL
form Of young ~ Ia
Indian girl. e kMIl AAN
BY a strong ef- Ia WN " JN
to fort ais s' iss; ssssts'ss sss NN|0iIN5VNl !
drew the girl into VlVNLlhNhIHHuVl
the middle of the S1ySy N&kW
room. Then he Z&ZS -
sank utterly ex- T#G[AA Is
hausted upon the boSfSN~
floor.
"Tll--be all right in minute, moth
er" he gasped. 'I'm-tired out, that's
all. 1t was awful. never expected
to see home-again."
His mother bent over him, but he
motioned her away. Look after the
girl first" he expostulated; she needs
it more than l. found her on the
trail She was lost, and had fallen in
the snow"
why didn't you leave her" piped
a shrill voice from overhead. John
looked up quickly. His little sister
Peggy's eyes were staring at him
through the trap door.
"Oh, couldn't do that, Peggy" he
said, rebukinsly. 81 never thought Of
such thing"
I'D a left her" declared the child,
stoutly. 'Injuns killed Uncle Tom and
stole our doggie ! wouldn't have
nothing to do with EN-"
Mrs Holdness had been chatting the
girls hands, and now rose.
She's coming to-" in answer to
Johns inquiring look. "I'll give her
something hot to drink, and then put
her to bed. | think she'll be all right
in a few days"
1t was late the next morning before
John akowe. When he went down the
ladder he found the Indian girl sit
dark, angular featured Indian girl he
expected, she was fair and beautiful,
with blue eyes and golden hair.
ME waiting to see you!" she said,
gravely. Want to tank you for last
night. Not many do like you, only
great warriors. Me Wachita, from big |
river country. Panther Leap my IA
ther."
Mrs. HOLINESS started, and invol- |
shrank away.
Panther Leap kill, burn, destroy"
she said, coldly. Hate paleface. Me,
only daughter What you do
now? Better left in snow," to John.
Mrs. HOLINESS hesitation was but
You are not an Indian?" she eaid,
gently. your skin is whittier than
my own girls"
But Wachita threw out her hands In
quick dissent.
ME Indian" she declared, proudly;
all Indian. Panther Leap find me
when baby, take care of me, good to
ne all the time; now me Indian"
Placing her hand kindly upon the
girls shoulder, Mrs. Holdness gently
orced her back to her chair.
you are sick and tired" she SAID.
soothingly. you mustn't think of
eaving here for a week or two. You
Won't be able. And you amt to blame
or what your father does"
What you do when me get well?"
Why, send you home, of course"
you don't suppose we'd
harm you on account of somebody
Use, do you?"
Me not know she said, simply
Me never see much of paleface"
Three weeks later Wachita suddenly
nnounced her intention Of returning
|
ome.
Then l shall go with you," declared
ohm. "You are not strong enough to
% alone"
mo, no." she demonstrated, hastily;
you must not go. Me not want you
o go. Me plenty strong. You pale ,
ace, me Indian. We two hate each ,
ther fight, burn, kill, destroy. No
ood together"
"All talk, Wachita," he declared.
You're not an Indian-and If you {
'ere it wouldn't matter; should come {
Or you just the same. Pm willing for
ou to go and see Panther Leap, for
e's been good to you; but within
Month l shall come and ask him to let .
ne marry you. If he attempts to
Ill me, all right, I shall try to de- S
end myself; but l will come Just the s
anne. don't believe you hate" II