Williams news., 1917-02-15
fife |Quarterbreed By ROBERT AMES BENNETT

''NOC unless you WISH me CO.
 'But-but I doI'' came back the naive confession. Impulsively he started to swing off his pony. The cabin door shut with bang. He strengthened in the saddle, waited a long moment, drowned heav- fly, and started to ride away. From the window came a plaintive cry: "Oh. please, please"
 He deliberately dismounted, flung the reins over his horses head, and walked to the opened window. The eager, frightened face within blushed scarlet and shrank back. He stopped short.
 "See here," he admonished, eff you're going to be silly, shall go away for good. You've got the door barred, and you know I shall not try to crawl in at hole like this.' 'I-I won't be-" she faltered.
 ,"That's better" he said, and he reached in to slip his arm around her trembling shoulders.
 Shrinking yet yielding, with eyes timidly downcast and olive cheeks burning with blissful shame, the young girl allowed him to draw her closer. Her lips quivered, yet she raised them to meet his kiss.
 "There!" he rallied. "Was it so dreadful?"
 She did not answer; she could not. Her head dropped forward with the instinctive modesty of an innocent young girl. He put the forefinger of his free hand under her chin and raised her head to take second kiss.
 "One good turn deserves another, sweetheart" he said. ,-
 "You should nC-not call me that" she whispered. "You are a gentleman white man; am only a halfbreed- I'm yellow as a Chinaman."
 "No-golden. You are my golden girl. Your checks are wild roses and honey gold. Your eyes are like a fawn's; your lips sweet as honey Another kiss There, that's more like it, You're learning how. Now look at me-
 She raised her dropping lids with the sudden, desperate courage of one who is very shy, and gazed up at him, her tender eyes starlike with the soft glow of her love and adoration. sYOu-you really like mel" she whispered.
 No, 1 hate you like poor Lo hates firewater. Give him taste, and he wants it all. I want you"
 'Charlie-he said I must marry a white man. I am joyed in my heart You say you want me! But I am only halfbreed girl, and you
 You're my honey-sweet grille. Go and open the door,"
 She looked up at him again full and direct, aud his gaze sank before the trust in her clear eyes.
 "You want me to be your engaged girl '" she murmured. "When people are engaged, they are going to be mar rfed. Charlie said I must marry white man, good white man. You are kind to me. It is wonderful. l have read that even army officers have married halfbreed girls. But you are grander than any officer, and you are very good to think of marrying me-"
 Vandervyn forced a smile, and re- piled to her adulation without meeting her enraptured gaze:
 "What else did you think meant when kissed you? Of course we shall be married. AS we are here on the reservation, it will be according to the custom of the tribe."
 Married? Oh, my heart sings!" cried the girl. q will be your wife yours! I can't believe it. There comes Charlie. I must run and tell him."
 Vandervyn hastily released her, and drew his arm out of the window as he looked around.
 "Waitl" he commanded. He's con- ing fast enough. Leave the door barred"
 The halfbreed was racing Hardy's mare up the creek bank at a furious gallop. He flung himself out of the saddle and advanced upon Vandervyn, his face dark with suspicion.
 "What you saying to my sister," he demanded.
 | The white man met his threatening look with a half-contemptuous, half amused smile.
 i've been showing the girl what think of her." he replied.
 Redbear came to a sudden halt. The muscles of his face began to twitch.
 "Oh, Charlie!" reproached Oinna. "What makes you look at him that way? Why don't you thank him?"
 She unbarred the door and stepped outside.
 'For what?" questioned her brother in harsh, strained voice.
 Because he is going to be my man going to take me for his wife"
 Marry you? Oinna-you" The halfbreed could not believe his ears. Through his daze shot flash of angry suspicion. "But you-you won't marry herr" -, ---.-