The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-06-15

blood that was loosened and each ef
fort to stop II was futile.
II was soon evident that the fee
In their heavy shoes had gone thell
last journey upon the hills. that the
triumphant flute had piped It's las
song OF victory.
my children" said the Preacher
81 promised to come when you should
need me. have served a need. You
are young. my son. and the path oi
youth is fair. There are too many
primroses thereon to sacrifice one
year OF II. am old-old."
Here SIletz flung herself upon her
knees beside him. unable to control
herself, rocking 10 and fro after her
fashion, her braids swaying and a ter
rible anguish upon her face.
The handsome blue eyes turned
wonderlngly upon her.
"Daughter-little one OF the tender
heart-hush! hear strange sounds
and | would listen
He closed his eyes and lay for a
time in silence, the delicate tracery
on HIS face emerging more clearly as
pallor spread beneath II. II was the
divine record OF years spent with his
God in the high places. though here
and there a dropping line bespoke a
vague, forgotten sadness.
Presently he murmured:
"The Winds OF the Mighty One are
upon the sounding board OF the hills!
Ah!-"
Again a silence and he opened his
eyes with return to earth. But in
them had come the dimness Of
dreams. and .half-remembered years
and times and places.
They gazed wonderingly into the
dark, tear.blinded ones of siletz bend.
ing above. For q long time the old
man lay, staring up with that look Of
wonder. Then a great Joy broke on
his face with a shining smile, and he
struggled TO raise himself on an arm.
"Kahwannal' he cried, "Kahwan.
nal"
II was a call nom q far-distant past
II thrilled that little company OF listen.
ers with its ecstasy.
"Why-why-- What have dreamed
my princess of the hills. that you have
seemed so far away? What was it
All. ! have forgot! But you are here
at lastl"
He raised palsied, trembling arms
to the girls neck
You are back from the gates OF
death that fancled had closed upon
you You are back. And there
is forgiveness in your dark eyes. Oh.
my love. there is forgiveness!"
His lips quivered bit and he went
on.
Did dream of the great wrong
did you, Kahwanna? oh. have you for
given?"
The blue eyes were tragic in their
puzzled wonder, their shining Joy, and
the voice was desperately earnest.
For a moment Siletz checked her
anguish and strove to understand.
Then something. some divine instinct,
seemed to give her wisdom and she
smiled tremulously.
"All is we'll" she said pitifully. Il
have forgiven"
Thank Godl" cried the old man
sharply, "oh. God, | thank thee! The
way is light at last!"
He tried TO raise himself on an el.
bow again.
But how does It happen? saw
you die in the lodge OF Kolawmie with
the babe that you bore me for love
on your breast-and yet-yet-l have
you again Did dream, oh. my prin.
cess of the little tribe?"
"A dream" sobbed Siletg softly,
"only a dream"
He looked long into her half-fright-
ened face.
81 have searched the world for you,
my maid of service with the gentle
eyes-eyes like deers for softness.
Oh. Kahwannal have chanted the
marriage service, that | never said
for you in the days of my youth a
thousand times among the hills!
have mated you in heaven throughout
the years wherein lost you! have
wept for the Primrose that crushed
OF dawn and dusk! ! have tried to
atone"
There was a pathetic. eager justih-
cation in the weakening voice and the
others. all aware that they witnessed
the last act in some forgotten tragedy
Of the Preachers life. stood in silence.
unconscious OF the darkening smoke
clouds. the menace OF the rising roar
you bore on your face the sign OF
the Siletz women-the three bars OF
Bondage. of Faithfulness and OF Serv.
ice-and yet you were not of their
blood. but of my own. Only Kolawmie
knew how you came among them a
wee. dark child. how they took you
in and gave you name. and he never
told You were red to me. Kahwan.
ma soft.eyed creature OF the wild
and you we're my woman, bought with
a white mans kiss!"
Here Sandry shranR as II at blow.
drawing in his breath with a sigh
But the Preacher hurried on. as IL to
tell all that had lain upon his heart
these many years.
rro RE CNNTINuEnN
"MetaphysicIaness.
sary Milford appears TO have had a
weakness for coming words with un.
naraecorv feuoia tar,ntna,t,,n ~. -