The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-10
The Euenir,e Story
Gray Feather.
(By Gladys Gordon.)

10y C1dOyS 1OTuOn.J
Over to the westward lay the serrated
ranges of the Sweetwater mountains.
In the foreground was a green and fer
tile valley through which trickled a sill
yer stream.
Helen Madison, sitting her sturdy lit
tie pony, climbed to the top of Eagle
looked everywhere save into the face of
the strong, brown young man who was
waiting for her to speak.
Helen" he said at last, and his voice
was stern.
"Yes?" She turned cold face to
his. There was no fire in her dark
eyes. no love-nothing, save perhaps.
disda1n and fnlfff sassss'sss
You have not forgiven ~me?" he
asked slowly.
There is nothing to forgive. You
are free to choose your own way-I
gave back your freedom last night
Il knOw-I did not believe that you
would throw me over just because I
wanted to make this venture with
Dickman; 1 have invested every penny
in that abandoned mine, but I have
faith in it's development, though it is
a hazardous undertaking in more ways
than one.'
Il was satisfied to marry you and
settle down on the ranch with you,"
said Helen Obstinately. How could she
explain to Dan Summer that her hurt
lay in the fact that he was willing to
postpone that wedding in order to
speculate in the old Mizpah mine in
the hope of getting a fortune out OF it?
Dan would never know why she had
refused to countenance his going-nor
why they had quarreled
Il know-dear, I KNOW" he said
smiling tepderly at her averted face.
But / have made the venture-the
die is cast-yet you will not forgive
me, you will not waltz
1T is too late" she said.
Then, it is good-bye?"
TT Is goodbye
Forever"
I'VE may meet some day." she said.
carelessly.
The muscles around Dams lips
frightened. He lifted his broad felt
hat with the old gallant grace she
loved.
Then 1 will say goodbye now. Miss
Madison.
Helen WINGED.
Goodbye" she said, steadily.
She did not turn her head as he rode
down the hill: When he had disap-
peared from view she shook her Shout
ders and breathed deeply. ''Oh, it's
good to be free!" she cried, devoutly.
Pretty lady so glad-heap cry said
a dry voice at her elbow.
Helen turned quickly and saw the
S4udtty 1OIlA VI d OcIluTe lltlc
dian squaw astride a ragged pony
You frightened met she cried with
an unsteady laugh. How, Gray Feath-
err"
How" saluted Gray Feather, SOL
EMMY
let me see him. cried Helen, touching
the bundle on Gray Feathers back.
Gray Feather swung the cradle
around to her arms and uncovered the
sleeping face of the dark skinned In
dian baby. Him grand papoose," she
smiled fondly.
Have you named him yet?" asked
Helen, touching the little fingers.
| Gray Feather grunted response.
What do you call him? Strongarm,
like his big father?"
"NO-my man no want papOose called
Strongarm: SO We name him for big
kind man who save my mans life one
day. Indian love white brother, Dan
| Summer, name papoose Dan Summer
time-he always smiles like big white
! brother-so"'
The baby smiled a grave Indian
smile and opened beady black eyes.
1T would like to kiss him!" cried
Helen. impulsively.
| Gray Feather smiled and held UP
| the cradle and Helen kissed the vel
vety cheek Of Dan Summertime
| so did big white brother kiss
papoose." approved Gray Feather de-
murely.
| Helen blushed scarlet and looked
annoyed.
| A keen look came into Gray
Feathers dark eyes. She laid slen-
der. red-brown finger on the sleeve OF
Helen's white blouse.
Him white brother gone away %
she asked sharply.
YES"
Come hack to you some day.s
NO.