The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1926-12-10

| higher prices for your land, but worse
| for us whites, for there'll be less land,
unless-you mixed bloods should hap
pen to swear the full bloods are
mixed too. It'll be good way for
all of you to pay up old debts"
Lydia's heart was pounding so hard
that it really panied her. She stared
at John unbelievably. Yet it was the
same familiar, sallow face, with the
gaunt look about the cheeks. Only
the eyes were strange. Lydia had
never seen them so hard, so searching
before.
"Well," said Levine, "is that all you
folks have got to report, after six
months? What do you think I'm pay
ing you for?"
What more might have come Lydia
did not know for an old squaw came
tottering into the fire glow. She was
gray-headed and emaciated.
"Oh, that's our old squaw, Kent, re-
member?" whispered Lydia.
"Shut upl" murmured Kent.
The squaw made her way up to
John. There was something sinister
|
"What you do now, white man%
she snarled. "Steal! Steal more,
eh?"
Levine looked down on her and his
voice was plying. "Why, you poor
old devil, you look half starved" He
dug into his pocket and brought out
silver dollar. go get some grub"
he said.
"Steal! Steal! Make our young
men drunk Make our young girls
have babies that grow like these
snakes" she pointed trembling,
scrawny finger at the scowling mixed
bloods. white man-dirty fool
dirty thief" and she spat at Levine,
at the same time striking the dollar
from his hand. 1t rolled out onto the
needles and lay shining in the fire
light.
John stiffened and the mixed bloods
watched him curiously. But the
squaw suddenly burst into the feeble
vet deep drawn sobs Of the old, and
tottering over to the silver she picked
it up. Hungry she sobbed. All
the time much hungry" And she
started slowly away from the fire In
the direction Of Kent and Lydia's hid
ing place.
"Quick !' whispered Kent, and noise
lessly the two ran back into the dark
ness of the woods, through which,
however, a silver light was beginning
to filter. There's the MOON" he said
in a low voice. "Now l can find the
lake"
In less than half a mile they found
the lake and far around its curving
shore, the CLEAN Of their own camp
fire.
"HoIy Mikel What do you think of
that" demanded Kent as they headed
for the fire. "Isn't Levine a won
der!"
Lydia scarcely heard him. John
Levine!" she murmured. "My best
friend! Oh, I~ean't believe it."
They were nearing the camp now
and Kent stopped and in the moon
light took Lydia by the shoulders.
'Look here, Lyd, don't you tell soul
about what we saw. Promise me"
"Pll do nothing Of the kind,
snapped Lydia.
promise !" repeated Kent.
81 will not! !" returned Lydia.
"Well. promise me, you'll say moth.
;. ing while we're in camp, anyhow"
:, Lydia hesitated. After all, she
thought, to whom could she tell the
t story and what could any one do!
GAIL right I'll promise that" she
I agreed, slowly.
4 It was scarcely nine o'clock, after
l all, when they trudged into the camp
l. Charlie and Gustus came in moment
= later, having heard Miss Towne's call
d "Oh, Lydia! Lydia! I've worried
myself sick" And the cruel Miss
d Towne. the grouchy Miss Towne
threw her arms about Lydia, with 8
q little murmur that was curiously like
a sob.
S "We were just going to the settle
h ment for help" said Charlie, Though
e we were pretty sure nothing seriou:
! could have happened"
\ "We saved your supper" said Mar
S gerry. "Come on, Gustus, Wen heat Il
for 'em."
e Lydia was lying in hammock witt
S a book, when a horses hoof beats
Z. sounded under the trees and Levine
e rode into the camp.
y Lydia had been wondering how
+ when she saw him in town, she was
: going to meet him, what she was go
q ing to say to him. But now, her onl!
thought was that here was the devot
n ed friend who had understood hel
since babyhood.
!, AS he disrhounted, she jumped t.
v her feet. ooh, my dear Mr.. Levine
s My dearl My dear!" she cried ant
8 her hair flying, she ran to him ant
threw her arms about his neck.
Il John threw a long arm about her
o and held her to him closely, while
with his free hand he smoothed bacl
: the glory of her hair. And Mis-!
Towne, watching saw his long satur
a nine face transformed.
"Why, Lydia, my little sweetheart
d / didn't realize you'd missed me So.
Then, catching Miss TONNES gaze, HI
!" smiled.
2, Lydia has few loves, but They're
G strong" he said. 'Tm her foster ia
Their. My names John Levine"
a Lydia disengaged herself "And Till
d is Miss Towne," she said, my deares
teacher"
= "Sit down." said the chaperone
G while Lydia and finish dressing"
s You'll have lunch with us?" calle'
Lydia as she retreated toward tn
g tent.
"Yes, but can't stay longer. Mus
e be back In Lake City for supper" re
piled Levine, tying up his horse.