Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-01-27
empty space. opposite the two caves.

empty space. opposite the two caves
troopers.
How" returned the Indians.
Silence In the woods, except for the
cracking fire.
"Kent, let's gol I don't want to
listen. l don't want to know"
Kent seized her arm. you've got
to stay. It's your business to know.
he whispered sharply.
where's Eagles FeatherT asked
Levine.
Sick replied an Indian.
John nodded. II got back from
Washington today. Big fight there.
Marshall and his crowd, they'll make
big fight. may have to compro-
mise. I may make my bill read. only
mixed bloods can sell their lands, not
full bloods."
"Good!" said an Indian. Full blood
don't want to sell, anyhow"
Better for you mixed bloods, !"
agreed Levine, because you'll get
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 a good way for
all OF you to pay up old debts"
Lydia's heart was pounding so hard
that 1t really panied her. She stared
at John unbelfevably. 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, sis 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 up!" murmured Kent.
The squaw made her way up to
John. There was something sinister
in the look Of her and he rose.
she snarled. "Steall 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.
The old woman stared from the
dollar to Levine's face and her voice
rose to a shrek.
"Steal! Steal! Make our young
men drunk Make our young girls
have babies that grow like these
snakes" she pointed a 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
yet deep drawn sobs of the old, and
tottering over to the silver she picked
1t up. Hungry" she sebbed. "All
the time much hungry" And she
started slowly away from the fire in
the direction of Kent and Lydia's hid
ing place.
"Qufck !" 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 low voice. "Now l can find the
| lake"
In less than half mile they found
the lake and far around it's curving
shore, the CLEAN of their own camp
| fire.
"Holy 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, can't believe It."
They were nearing the camp now
and Kent stopped and in the moon
light took Lydia by the shoulders.
"Iook here, Lyd, don't you tell soul
about what we saw Promise me!
"I'll do nothing of the kind,
snapped Lydia.
"Promiser' repeated Kent.
IT will not !" returned Lydia.
Kent's hold on her shoulders tight
ened. He wanted to box her ears and
yet, as he gazed at the wistful, sensi-
tive lips, he felt sudden desire to
kiss her.
"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
stery and what could any one do!
"All right, I'll promise that" she
agreed, slowly.
It was scarcely nine o'clock. after
all, when they trudged into the camp.
Charlie and Gustus came In moment
later, having heard Miss Towne's call.
ooh, Lydia! Lydia! I've worried
myself sick" And the cruel Miss
Towne, the grouchy Miss Towne.
4hro1p how arms oho.1t Iudio With q