The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-03
THE MINE.
syLoUIsE OLIVER.
SEPTEMBER 2.

| T1oO ana went west u i've O0 u A0ASA
After they'd made good as far as the
farm went and settled themselves to
live in peace some fool discovered gold
on the edge Of their land. That started
the trouble. It seems they bought II
from an Indian-one George Black.
rock-who had graduated from Car.
Isle and became the protege OF Midas
Mills, millionaire stock broker. Mills
helped Blackjack to make money and
the Indian managed to buy back some
of the land that once belonged to his
own people. He divided the estate and
sold Max half. Then he married q
white girl, built house and should
have been happy. But they say he has
a daughter seventeen or eighteen years
old he's crazy about, and since the gold
has been discovered he's making all
kinds Of trouble. Claims wrong sur;
vey and all that. So here's where
come in. It's my pleasant duty to stand
up and tell this Indian that he'd better
get OF and keep moving.
SEPTEMBER IL.
Things are getting interesting at the
mine. Max has new foreman, Justice
Belvardos. Mexican. They struck a
rich new vein and they are importing
another gang to work it. This morning
one Of the canvas bags Max keeps his
dust in was stolen. While reconnoiter-
ing on the ridge today caught a
glimpse Of the Indian girl hurrying
away through the scrub oaks. won
der If Indian George knows anything
Of the missing bag.
SEPTEMBER Is.
Another bag gone Belvardos blames
the Indian, and strangely enough saw
the girl again. I'm going to investigate
tomorrow. Note-The girl Is pretty.
I got closer view of her this time. I'd
like to see her again. y.
SEPTEMBER 16. ~.
Snooped around all day and didn't
see thing until on my way home.
Across wild ravine I spied smoke
among the trees. Field glasses showed
small tent or wigwam. Almost dark,
SO came home. I'm going tomorrow.
September 25.
It's a week since I've written any
thing in my diary, but events happened
SO quick and fast that. day and wound
up by my getting hurt that haven't
been able to hold pen. I'm better now,
and, But I'll go back. Found tent.
No one answered my polite knock, so l
lifted the latch and walked in. There
were two cots nicely made and covered
with Indian blankets, board floor with
a blanket for rug, table, two willow
chairs and fixings everywhere that no
man would think of.
This was a sort Of rest room for
daughter. Then the gold bags occurred
to me. II daughter had taken them,
perhaps they We're secreted here. 1,
would search! The floor seemed to be
the most likely pla &c, so in a second !
was down on my knees rolling back
the rug and feeling for loose board
Suddenly there was q crack Of gun
and ! felt sharp pain in my left side.
When regaincd my senses it was
sunset and was lying on one of the
cots In the little Indian tent all BAN
daged up and. feeling hot and thirsty.
Then the pretty Indian girl came in.
She gave me cup Of water and held
my head while drank. "How do you
fool v1nvu ~ cho ocboI &, <t,n ~snhoct
sweetest voice you ever heard.
"Just great!" ! found voice to say,
and / felt like adding, Il wouldn't |
mind staying this way forever"
who shot me?" asked.
She sobered. I'm not sure. for I |
didn't see" she answered you'd bet
ter ask Er1na."
"Who is Erma?"
"Erma Blackjack. Ny friendy"
So there are two Of you? thought !,
you were George Blackrock's daugh-
ter"
Sic laughed. mo, I'm Margaret |
Mills. Erma and / were schoolmates." i
Mills! was puzzled. Then I a. /
Midas Mills. Butx was more !
puzzled than ever. This giri was cer- |
Eainly an Indian with her complexion, |
eyes and hair. s
Seeing my perplexity. she laughed
again and, seixing a handkerchief, /
labbed some white creamy stuff on It
ind began rubbing at her face. Il
anne away brown, leaving the skin BE-
leath as soft and.white as a rose petal
It's hickory stair" she explained.
A branch cracked outside and In a
Instant the real Indian girl was In the
emit.