The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-10-14
Tin BRECKENRIDGE ELLIS
copyrioht, 1919 by tie eobbs- Merrill

y
Wilcox asked abruptly.
"Yes. You got it, We will smoke.
He seated himself gravely on the
ground.
wilcox went into the cabin and
brought out the clay pipe. They smok
ed. Wilcox cast covert glances toward
the girl She stood slim and straight,
her face rigid, her eyes fixed on the
horse Her limbs were bare and a
blanket that descended to her knees
seemed her only garment The face OF
the sleeping child of five was the same,
however, as this Of the seven-year-old
maid, except that 1t had grown more
beautiful.
Wilcox was wonderfully moved, 80
much so that his manner was harsh,
his voice gruff In the extreme.
"Where'd you find herr"
"Not been lost Her safe all time.
Sometime in one village-here. then
there. two. three-move her about. Safe
all time. I never forget There she is.
You take herr"
"Yes, I'll take her. Where's her
daddyT"
Him great man."
"Well-go ahead: tell the rest of It"
Him settle among my tribe; him
never leave our country. Big country,
fat country, very rich. Him change
name-everything: him one of us.
Marry my daughter. That girl not
bis aughter-daughter of dead woman.
Keep her away from him all time so
him never see white man. white wom-
an. white child. forget white people, be
good Indian. The girl make him think
Of dead woman. When a man marry
again. not good to remember dead
woman"
He rose, straight as an arrow and
turned his grim face toward the horse.
81 see. And you don't want to tell
me where he is, because you want him
to forget he Is a white MANI"
Him always live with my people;
him marry my daughter"
Tell me this, is he far awayr'
Every far. Many days. You never
find him. You stay here. keep girl
and me and my people your friends.
You come after him-not your friends. :"
"Why. bless your heart, l never want
to see that man again. Your daughter
Is welcome TO him. but I'm afraid she's
got bad bargain. This girls just as
I'd have her-unencumbered I'm aw-
full glad you come, pardner."
He strobe forward and addressed the
girl. Are you willing to stay with me-
little oneT'
She shrank back from the wild fig
ure. During his two years Of hiding in
the mountains Wilcox had cared moth
ing for his personal appearance. His
garments on disintegrating had been
replaced by skins. thus giving an as
pect Vt assorted colors and materials
rather remarkable.
He was greatly disconnected by her
attitude. II guess I've been so much
with myself that amt noticed my
outside as a man ought Won't you
make your home with me, childT He
held out his rough hand appealingly.
She retreated farther. saying with
disapproval. much hairr'
Wilcox laid his hand on his breast.
returning. much hearth
Him white" said the Indian, swing
ing himself upon his horse. Hin save
your life. Some time me come visit.
come eat, come stay with you"
As he wheeled about she held out
her arms toward him. crying wildly:
Don't go! Don't leave me! Him much
hairr'
The Indian dashed away without
turning his head
Good Lord. honey" exclaimed VII
lock, at his wits ends, don't cry! !
can't do nothing II you cry. Won't
you come look at your new homer
Hole in the groundr' cried the girl
desperately. II want my tepee. Am
a prairie dog?"
"No. honey. you amt You and me
Is both white, and We ought to live to-
gether. II amt right for you to live
with red people that kills and burns
your own kith and kim"
She looked at him repellently through
her streaming tears. big hairr she
cried. big hairr'
And must l cut II offi I'll make
my head as smooth as yonder bald
headed mountain peak II it'll keep you
from crying"
Her sobbing grew less violent. De
spite his ferocious aspect. 10 fear
could remain In her heart NJ sight Of
that distressed countenance at sound
of those conciliatory tones
'l'm going 20 do whatever you say.
honey. and you're going 10 be the
queen of the cove. Amt you never
been lonesome among all them red dev.
ilsi Amt you missed your poor nam
my as died crossing the plainsi II
was me that buried her. Amt you
never knowsd how II ie'; 10 whit 10
lay your head ON somebody's shoulder
and slip your little arms about his neck
and go 10 sleep like an angel whatever
was happening arOundi guess sol
Well, that's me too Here I've been
for two long year. nevef seeing nothing
but wild animals CO. prowlug snva ges