The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1926-10-28

say what we please and you ca
do whatever you want to abou
that nasty old note"
Dave suddenly laughed. "Ther,
Elviry, that's what I mean abou
Lydia's being the real thing. 70
can't help my being your frient
Lydia. no matter what happens
But grimly, "I1l call in that not
unless your father shuts up"
"Good-by !" exclaimed Lydia, at
ruptIy, and she marched into tn
hall, head held high, and closed tn
outside door firmly behind her.
It had been a long time since sh,
had known the heavy sinking O
the heart that she felt now. She
had an utter horror Of repeating
Marshall's message to her father
Money worry made Amos frantic.
In the midst of one of her long
est signs Billy Norton overlook her
well, Lydia"
Hello, Billy" said Lydia, look.
ing up at the young man soberly,
Billy was a sophomore in college.
BILLY, is there any way a girl like
me could earn SCOOP" she asked
him.
"Golly, not that / know of
Why?'
ooh, l Just asked. wish l was
a man."
Billy looked at the scarlet cheeks
and the blowing yellow curls. i
don't" he said. whats worrying
you. Lyd?"
Nothing" she insisted. Then,
anxious 10 change the subject, she
asked, "What're you studying to
be, Billy?"
"a farmer. believe a farmers
the most Independent man In the
world. And that's what want to
be. independent-call no man boss
That's me, too, Billy cried
Lydia, pausing at her gate. THAT'S
what real Americans are
lydia did not tell her father that
night of Marshall's threat. He was
In such a tranquil mood that she
could not bear TO upset him. But
the next day she gathered her c0ur-
age together and told him. To her
surprise, instead of walking the
floor and swearing, he gave a long
whistle.
$50 it's that serious, is It'll !
wonder Just what he's up to! The
old crook Huh! This will be
nuts for John, though. If he doesn't
come out this afternoon I'll go look
him up this evening"
Lydia's jaw dropped. "But, dad
dy. you don't seem to realize well
have to pay $500 the first of Janu-
ary." she urged, her voice still
trembling.
For the first time Amos looked
at her carefully. why, my dear
child. there's nothing to worry
about" he exclaimed. "Now," his
voice sOftened. you stop worrying.
Levine and I'll take care of this.
lydia looked at her father doubt
fully and suddenly he laughed I'M
steadily and kissed her. You get
more and more like your mother. ]
don't know what I'd do without
you, Lydia. ! swan"
Levine stole away from his vari-
Gus councils and reached the cot
tage about supper time.
IF l didn't get out here once In
a while" he said as he sat down to
the waf1es and coffee that made
the Sunday night treat Lydia had
lately developed, I'D get to be-
lieve everyone was playing poll
tics"
Amos suddenly burst forth,
Lydia, tell John about Dave Mar
shall"
Lydia, flushing uncomfortably.
did so. Levine did not eas his
onslaught or the waffles during the
recital.
Good news. ell, Amos?" he said.
Getting anxious. isn't he :" Then,
catching Lydia's look of consterna-
ton. "Why. bless your soul. Lydia,
what are you upset about? Let
him call in the loan. ] can pay 1t"
Amos nodded. ".Just what said.
I'll make my interest and payments
to you then. thank the Lord"
"We'll make them on time just
as usual remarked Lydia, in a
voice that had both reproof and
warning in it.
$50 Marshall's worried repeat
ed John. well. it behooves him
to he. I don't know what he'll do
when the Indians are gone
"Mr. Levine" asked Lydia,
"wheren the Indians go?'
John shrugged his shoulders.
go to the devil, most of them"
ooh. but that seems terrible"
cried Lydia.
"No more terrible than the way
they live and die on the reserva-
ton. Ny dear child. don't develop
any sentiment for the Indian. He's
doomed as the buffalo. It's fate
or life or evolution working out
whatever your fancy names it. No
sickIy gush will stop it. AS long as
the Indian has a pine or a pelt,
we'll exploit him. When he has
none. we'll kick him out, like the
dead dog he is
Lydia. her eyes round, her lips
parted. did not reply. For a mo-
ment she saw the Levine that the
world saw, cold. logical, merciless.
John interpreted her expression in
stantly and smiled. Don't look at
me so. young Lydia. I'm Just being
honest. The rest talk about free
ing the Indian i say d-n the In
dian. enrich the whites"
~ suppose you're right, but |
can't help feeling sorry for Charlie
Jackson and my old squaw.'
Levine nodded understandings
$685. stxrl..s -