Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-04-19

They stood there. m0tiOnless and
silent, close to one another in the
moonlight
''That, | take 1t, is love-" Hardy
muttered.
The physician walked slowly out
and came to halt beside the Indian,
who had released the horses head and
stood stroking the neck, his hand hid
den by the heavy name. The sorrel
looked at this other man in astonish.
ment, It seemed; then lowered his
nose to take Little Foot's shirt be-
tween his teeth and worry it gently.
The Usage did not look toward
Hardy, but the doctor knew his gaze
was averted because of his anger and
neutrality-suspicious. too, because OF
a sharp sorrow.
Here, Little Foot, is the money
took from YOU" Hardy said, holding
out his hand.
The Indian looked at him, turning
his head slowly on the words.
"Take it." the doctor urged.
Mechanically the boy stretched out
his hand, took the money. thumbed the
bills absently, wonderingly.
Il didn't want your money. Little
Foot" Hardy said, deep friendliness
in his tone. And l don't want that
animal there. unless | come to pos
sess him by some more honorable me.
thod."
For a moment the Indian continued
to thumb the bills; then he stared
hard at the man before him, sharply,
as though the meaning Of his words
had just dawned.
"You mean-you will give Streak
back to me. after you won him--just
now?" with an inquiring gesture OF
the hand which held the bills. And
this?'
That's just what | mean"
"And this, too?" holding out the
money again.
"Yes--all of it,.
The boy settled his weight to one
foot and lifted hand to rest on the
soft nose that nuzzled his side.
After dared you to play with me
wau.pun-tuck? After you won 1t all
fair"
why. yes you don't understand
that l."
"You give me my horse back to me
for nothing?" he broke in.
"Yes; you see, he's never been out
OF your possession. couldn't take
anything from you boys by gambling
You forced me to play, but the stakes
i can't keep them and still respect
myself. make my living in what
think is a better way"
Little Foot put the money in his
pocket and drew the s0rrel's head
| closer against his body.
white men have talked much tc
Indians about being brothers." HI
looked down at the animals nose ant
grunted, giving bunch to his shoul
ders. Il have heard them talk unit
it-made me sick. This is the frs
time white man has ever been like
brother to me-
Hardy was moved, and deeply.
I'm glad il I've shown you that al
white men aren't rotten" he said
and I'm glad if I've shown you tina
| was worthy of your respect'-witl
rising sharpness in his voice for Til,
first time that evening.
snow that you see I'm pretty much
like yourself or any other man, wan
you to tell me something:
"Why have you been calling aftel
me? Behind my back?'
The Indian did not return his inten,
gaze, but shifting of his feet denoted
uneasiness. Hardy waited a lengthy
interval, then:
Come, tell me. II I'm to blame
tell me. II it's something else, tel
me as a favor. You have just said
that treated you like alike bro
Their"
Little Foot looked at him, but only
to let his eyes fall; with an aviden,
effort he directed them on Hardy's
face again.
walt Kennedy. he toe me you
was a damn fool. He said you come
here and play stuck-up from the East
and that everybody hate you. He tole
me to make you mad an"
Hardy's breath came a bit faster
what else?" he asked when the boy
hesitated.
Nothing else. That's all. He tole
me to make you mad. just for fun
did not know, wau'puntuck, or Walt
Kennedy, he could 60 to hell"
The docton moved away STEP
thoughtfully. looking speculatively at
the Indian.
His premise had been correct. His
attention to Ruth Mitchell was one
factor that would offend Kennedy
But what else? This Usage boy was
in Kennedy's power and, at the same
time, perhaps an associate, surely an
acquaintance, OF the outlaws. What
could those interminged connections
mean?
Little Foot united the bridlereins
breaking in on the doctors swift train
OF thought.
Il must co. he said. Some day
maybe | will show you how good q
| si.-. t'-.A4'4s-s a.. -.a-.'s,.s aasa-