Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-08-11
A Daughter OF Chief
White Crow

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Each year the HopI Indians Gaace
the corn dance, In honor Of the tas-
selling blades and In praise OF the
giyer; and each year since he had
Joined the agency Clifford Durham
attended tie spectacle alone.
Allen and women participated la the
great sacred dance in honor oT The
corn.
1hls year there was q newcomer. q
gal VI exquisite beauty.
II am the assistant agent" said
Clifford introducing himself to her as
she stood a little apart from the
throng Of Indians after the DANCE.
"You are Of this tribef But / have
never seen you. Where do you liver"
Il? Oh. I am an Indian In exile"
she answered. smiling. "No. you will
not see me again. This Is my first re-
turn and my, last My father was
Chief White Crow"
"a" said Clifford, "shall remain
here-always. l think. | WINS born
among the Indians and have learned
20 love them. ask no more Of life
than that may remain here until
die. protecting them. instructing them.
helping. them and teaching them
to help themselves"
God aid you In your worthy pur-
pose" she answered softly. Clifford
saw that there were tears In her eyes.
He cfasped her In his arms and rained
kisses upon her lips and throat.
She fought him like a fury, fought
her way out OF his arms. and stood
CARING. st VIA d..kssS iEsas-...is-s:. s9i-
Tow harvest moon.
"You-how dare you'll" she cried
passionately. "You-whO were sworn
who have just told me that you
wanted to help" She choked upon
her words. $50 you think because I
wear the Indian garb that am only
an Indian girl" she went on In tones
OF intensest bitterness.
Forgive me-" he murmured hum
bly,. II love you. ! have never seen
any woman Ike you. / was insane.
Give me a chance 20 prove that / was
not sighting YOU"
| "oh, you shall have your Chance,
she answered and turned away.
| Governor Lawson was partly OF In
dian blood. Though It was only one.
eighth. or hardly more. he boosted OF
IL. IL gave him prestige among the
aboriginal inhabitants Of his state,
many Of whom had won hOnOrs in
various ranks of life. Three were In
the legislature. One owned a bank
Governor Lawson made the welfare oil
the Indians his study and hobby. He
sent for Clifford, 10 examine him con-
corning a matter Of disputed lands.
After the talk he said: "You have
been seven years on the reservation
they tell me. You must take a long
rest In the capitai.
Durham" said the governor, 81
want you to stay and be our guest nj
my daughters wedding tomorrow.
And, when Clifford nssented, grudg
ingly. for he felt Ill at ease. the COVER
nor led him into his drawing room. A
young woman was seated there.
''Estellc." said Governor Lawson, 81
want to Introduce Mr.. Durham"
The color famed into Durham:
face. II was his Indian girl. She
smiled coldly ut him.
You asked for your chance" shs
said. "Well. l have given 1t to you
ITO love your he murmured, anC
size drew back as though he hat
whipped her.
ITO prove that you were not slight
ing me-" she answered.
Clifford Durham was d man of sim
pie mold. He had never Loved until
that night; since then-he had always
loved. He knew he always would
Later that evening he turned his feet
resolutely In, the direction of the gov.
ernOr's residence. set In the grove OF
trees. Next moment he was stridine
noiselessly across the turf.
Estelle was seated ut her window
beside a lamp. Invisible though he
was TO her. she was perfectly appar.
ent. When she raised her eyes he
saw tears rolling down her cheeks
And then the memory became IRE
sistible.
He walked up to the window and
tapped lightly. "Estelle!" he called.
She sprang up with startled ges
ture, turned and faced him. She
seemed TO freeze TO stone.
"EstelIe," he said, II know why
you came TO the Hopi dance last year
II was because you are an Indian still
as l am I'm soul. 1t was the old. un
tanned love for the wilds. the plains
the solitude. You are like q caget
bird here. And you are going to b,
married tomorrow
he laughed softly and held out hi
arms.
"IOu will never be happy In thu
life that you have planned out" h,
said. You must follow your destiny
you must come with me-"
'0h-if / daredI" she said. "wha
would they think Of met What would
they say?"
''Come. EstelleI" he whispered.
And suddenly he caught her in hi.
arms and kissed her as on that nigh
under the harvest moon.
eff Your duty were here would no
urge you." he said.
IF you had not come should hav,
killed myself she said. -Oh. my low
ever since that night under the har
vest mooni II was I who sent 10
you. knew you would come then an.
knew you would come tonight.
am yours forever. Take met"
She stepped outside the wlneov