The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1915-07-02

Tie favor, for he was shy, reserved, and un.
communicative.
formed a strong attachment for the hand
some, quiet man, and frequently would in
vite him into our quarters, or would meet
him about tie camp, in the beautiful, starlit
nights Of the mountains.
He would never speak word of himself
or his personal history, and when, one aft
ernoon, we were seated together before the
cabin door and ! asked him, abruptly, "Have
you no family, Wallacel" his face returned
TO its accustomed strong, stern look and say
ing briefly. "None' he arose and walked
away TO his tent.
About two miles TO the west Of us was en-
camped a small body of Indians, of tribe
supposed to be friendly disposed toward us
at any rate not open and avowed enemies
but under the discipline Of that time and those
surroundings there was no communion or in
tercourse allowed between us, excepting that
the boys were occasionally permitted to pur-
chase trinkets from visiting squaw for their
sweethearts at home
| had missed Wallace visits for more than
week, when one night ! started for a stroll
up the mountain side before retiring.
| walked perhaps half mile up the trail
leading to the Indian camp, when my reverie
was broken by the sound Of voices, low but
clear, evidently but short distance further
up the trail.
was considerably startled, but, drawing
my revolver, proceeded forward as stealthily
rs could, under the shelter of the rocks and
trees by the side of the path, until had ap.
preached to within few yards Of where the
speakers were, when ] recognized the clear,
rich tones of Wallaces voice.
IL love you, he said-"wth all my heart
and soul love You Can't you tell me that
you love me, tool"
And the pretty, broken, unmistakable ac-
cents Of an Indian girls voice answered him.
81 do love you as | love the mountains
here where my home is-as love the bright
stars yonder- much, much better than love
my own peopel"
And then what she would have said further
was checked by his drawing her close in his
arms and kissing her again and again
was much surprised at detecting Wal.
lace in anything of this kind, and, throwing
inside all stealth, | stepped forward quickly,
calling to him: Is that you, Wallacei"
He was apparently startled at my unex-
pected approach, but he answered in quick,
firm tone; Eyes, captain, il is ]" while the
girl sprang from him up the path few steps,
and then turned and stood as though TO see
that no evil should befall him.
"Do You not know" sad in some sever
lily as came up TO where he was standing
'do You not know that this is contrary to dis
ciplinei'
Eyes, captain" he answered frankly, 81
know | am violating rules, but cannot help
It, ls not that cause enough and excuse
enough for the violationi"
And he pointed TO the girl, who stood look.
ing from one to the other of us, half in doubt
and half in fear.
She was really beautiful enough to tempt
any man to a violation of camp rules.
| stood for some seconds looking at her
almost spellbound, while she, calm and com
posed, remained facing me, as erect and firm
as one OF the pines beside her.
'She is beautiful" | said TO Wallace, in
a whisper. 81 can hardly blame you for your
foolishness, but you know as well as do that
camp rules are made TO be obeyed. You must
come back with me now"
He stepped TO the girl and took her again
in his arms.
II must go now, he said, as though there
were no listeners but the rocks and the trees.
81 will come again"
And then he kissed her so repeatedly and
fondly that was half disposed to be jealous
of him.
"Good-by," he said at last
And then he joined me and we started
down the trail together, while the girl stood
us until bend in the path separated
us from her sight.
How long has this been going ont" |
asked him, presently.
~ have seen her there every night for
week." he answered. simply. Captain. |
love her, and shall make her my wife"
had long since grown accustomed to the
eccentric and variable attachments Of nv
men under like circumstances.
at is simple infatuation, assured him.
calmly, 'and II will result in causing the girl
10 spoil the beauty Of her eyes with tears, and
in giving her a distrust OF the whites. You
will not see her again probably, for we are to
break camp here day after tomorrow"
He seemed half stunned by nv abrupt