The Ely miner., 1927-01-21
HONORE WILLSIE
&c by Frederick A. Stokes Col
wNU Service
CHAPTER XVII-Continued


CHAPTER XVII-Continued
is
John seized her hands and for a
moment the two stood smiling and
looking into each others face Ex-
cept that he was grayer, Levine was
unchanged. He broke the silence TO
say, "WeIl Well! young Lydia. you
are grown up"
Its my hair" said Lydia, and
my skirts"
The two men cIasped hands. We'll,
Amos?'
Its been a long time between
drinks. John"
at know it. Amos, but my chores
done. Now, I'll stay home and enjoy
life. Lydia, is 1t too hot for waffies
and coffee, Tor supper?'
ITS not TOO hot for anything on
earth you can ask for" returned Ly-
dia, beginning TO roll up her sleeves.
~Tn 60 right in and start them now.
1t was an extraordinarily pleasant
supper. After the dishes were washed,
Levine asked Lydia to stroll up the
road with him while Amos did his
evening chores. 1t was dusk when
they turned out the gate TO the road,
Lydia clinging TO Johns arm.
John put a long. hard hand over
the small thin one on his arm. Have
you missed ne, young LydiaF ne
asked
Yes she answered, especially as
you never came near Us after the
hearing"
How could I Gomez" asked the
man, simply. You had weighed me
and found me wanting. Have you for
given me, Lydia?"
at wasn't a matter between you
and me-" replied the girl, slowly. 1T
was between you and your conscience
and If your conscience approves,
what's the use Of asking me 10 forgive
you?"
Because, 1 can't stand not having
your approval" said Levine
They strolled on in silence, while
Lydia considered her reply. NO mat
ter If the destroying of the Indians
were right. that wouldn't eXonerate
the whites for having been cruel and
crooked in doing it People will al
ways remember il of US"
John sighed, then said abruptly,
lets never discuss il again. What
are you reading now, Lydia?"
English essayists and Emerson.
Tn crazy about Emerson. l learned
one thing from Friendship to quote
TO you It's like you and me-"
She quoted: 'Friendship-that Sc
lect and sacred relationship that is a
kind of absolute and which even leaves
the language Of love suspicious and
common so much is this purer; and
nothing Is so much divine"
John stopped and taking Lydia's
face in both his hands, he exclaimed
huskily, "Oh, my dear, this is my real
welcome home! Oh, Lydia, Lydia, If
you were ten years older and were
ten years younger"
Lydia laughed. Then we'd travel
to all the happy places Of the world.
We must turn back. Daddy'n be wait
ing"
Levine was very busy with the de-
tails of the Indian removal for the
next week or two. The exodus was
accomplished in a businesslike man
ner. There were some disturbances
on the reservation, but for the most
part, the Indians were daZed and un-
protesting. Before the concentration
began, the precaution was taken Of
sending Charlie Jackson under guard
TO the new reservation in the South
west. Lydia had never seen him after
her day at the hearing. She always
was TO carry in her memory, his hand
some bronze face, too early marked
with lines of despair, as she saw it
while she uttered her protest TO the
commissioners. And it was a haunt
ingly sad memory to carry.
In the evening Lydia sat with her
Emerson open before her, but with
her unseeing eyes fastened on the
open door. II was a little after nine
when the chug-chug of Kent's car
stopped at the gate and in a moment
Kent, white faced, appeared in the
door.
John Levine's been shot. He wants
Lydia ~
How bad of IS he?" asked Amos.
Cant live" answered Kent. That
id sister of Charlie Jackson and old
Susie both took shot at him, Just as
the last carload was finished. The
police and the militia got EN- right
of Shot EN- all TO pieces"
where is JohnT' asked Amos.
In Doc Fulton's office. They can't
move him"
No one spoke again. Kent brought
the automobile up with a bang before
the doctors house and Lydia. fol-
lowed closely by the two men, ran I'D
TO the door, through the outer office
TO the inner, where a nurse and Doc
Fulton stood beside cot
Levine lay with his face turned
toward the door. When he saw Lydia
he smiled family. She was quite
calm, except for her trembling. She
walked quickly to his side and took
his hand.
Looks Ike I was going to start
travelling alone, young LYDIA" ne said
feebly. Il just wanted 10 tell you
that Great Search-is ending all right
don't worry"
81 won't" saiC lydia.