The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-06-14

boots.
WELL" he said, 81 was sent to get
en-"
"But only two. You didn't even
know there were three" she coaxed.
Come on-let me give them back the
baby"
"Oh, we'll" he said reluctantly.
Instantly the girl reached In and
pulled the baby clear of the wagon,
the mother with It.. 1t was not really
a baby. being a fair-sIzed youngster.
but the least of the three. With her
arm across the two she pushed them
away from the wagon. Then she be-
gan speaking rapidly In Navajo.
1t was the white mans law, which
was above tribGl law, she told them,
that the children go to the schools
where they would learn the white
mans ways, where they would be fed
and clothed. They would become wise
and above their station at the present
time, being better for the knowledge
they would get And she, the mother,
would have them back soon for a visit,
hearing all about what they had
learned and eaten In the meantime.
The littlest one she could keep now,
providing she would 60 back to her
hogan In peace. II not, 1t too would go.
Would she listen to the white mans
law7 Would she take her one child
Instead of losing three-for little
time cnly7
The man spoke, and the woman.
with her tragic eyes on the little
scared faces In the wagons tall, hug
ging her babe. nodded.
20. K. Mr.. satter," Sonya said
guardedly.
Satter struck his near horse, and the
blackboard bounced away.
| Turning In stark and tragic resig-
| nation, the two bedraggled figures
| moved OF toward the canyons mouth.
the woman's eyes still strained back
across her shoulder where her children
were disappearing In the distance.
| The tall man looked back at Sonya,
and his eyes spoke-like Two Fingers
had.
Blinded by tears. the girl climbed
back In her saddle. She had forgot
ten Rodney Blake entirely. 1t was not
until they were well out on the dos
ert's floor that she remembered him.
"Rod," she said then, do you SEE
now why / cannot leave them7 There
Is 70 much to do for them. They neet
me so r.
| "Yes,r he said coldly. Il see.'
There was something In his tons
which caused the conversation to Ian
guIsh, and they rode for miles through
the early day without speech. Thel
Sonya stirred In her saddle and looked
at Blake
did you say you are leaving tn
day after tomorrow. RodT she asked
II did, but / might as well have KEEP
the information, for all the impression
II made"
.Oh. no, dear. I'm just 500 full
OF troubles, you know. | didn't mea
to seem careless You know didn't.
II wish to heaven did, Sonyals tn
man said passlonately. well, remen
Der the rest of the things / sald-pal
ticularly that no man or anything sha
get you from me, that mean to hav
you for my own II ita the last thin
ever do In life. Just remember tina
my girl"
A flush came In Sonya's face.
II suppose should be fattered
she said sharply, "but am not Their
IL something about this attitude {
! yours, Rod. that angers me-a seemin
. OF command that goes down hard wit
! me. Ones life Is his own, marriage {
no marriage. to 4 certain extent, 20
} know. I'm not the type Of woma
! who can be completely absorbed"
] Forgive me-" Blake said quicki
1 ''perhaps | do seem dictatorial, bl
: my excuse must be that ancient oil
3 which covers a multitude OF sins
great love-"
e II wonder" said Sonya.
Sonya made q hurried trip next d'
I to Chez wash and found the WON,
much better.
s 49," she told her happily, smoot
d Ing the gaunt young cheek, I'VE ma
o the good fight together. All IL we
" little mother"
/, And Two Fingers smiled his sic
smile, and the young doctor 70
% away.
/ Sonya spent that last evening In I
patio with Rodney Blake. alone
g der the stars. swinging In the firing
1t hammock, her hand between his pain
e his low voice In her ears, speaking
X the future. Serge and Lila. sensi
the strain between them, had retir
At early. And Sonya put her arms abe
I'd Rods neck. kissed him and took
kisses, and felt happy.
s. 1t was late when they separated
the living room, tiptoeing In like
er pair of sixteen-year-olds, laughing
81 whispers, and early when they
81 gathered again for breakfast. It
quite a drive down to the little to
y, where Rod would take the train
-. New York, and Sonya, who was di
y, Ing him. wanted an early start
r. The last moments on a station pl