Year: 1873

the girl became so nervous and uneasy
she went into the room and walked up
the old man. When she returned to
the outer room, she found her mother
had fallen into swoon, and her father
who had been asleep in his chair, was
now sitting up, apparently quite sober,
and talking to Ned. Mary ran to her
mother, and, raising her in her arms,
placed her upon the bed, where she
sprinkled water in her face until she re-
covered, and began to sob bitterly.


Her father now called her to his side,
and said:


"Mary, we have lost everything This
gentleman has won all, and he wants
you for his wife. have promised him
your hand Go to him.


The surprised and confused girl ran
to her motheri but Ned called to her in
a rough voice:


"Come here to me girl; you're now
my little woman, and | want YOU"


Scarcely knowing what she did, with
one bound she reached the door, and in
a moment more was out in the dark
night flying across the prairie towards
the barn. She heard her father call to
her to come back, and then halloo to
Ned to run round the house while he
went to the barn. Mary had intended
to take her pony from the barn and
ride she knew not whether; but, hear
ing her fathers Voice close behind her.
she slipped out of the stable by back
door and ran across the prairie. For
an hour she ran on, and then sank down
completely exhausted. Long and bit
terly she wept, lying prone upon the
damp ground. Then startled by the
howl of wolf, she sprang up and tried
to think. Where should she 90? What
should she do? 1t was not far to the
river, and she would cast herself in, and
beneath its dark waters end her troub-
les. Arrived upon the bank she stands
like stature, gazing down at the gurg-
ling flood, Her purpose is grim; one
plunge and all will be over. But bark;
what noise is thatY 1t is the dip of
paddles, and, as Mary stands on the
! very brink of the river, in the light of
the new risen moon, a canoe, with four
Indians i'll it, rounds the bend of the
stream within a few rods of her. Why
does not the warrior in the bow of the
boat rise, and with a gesture impose
silence on his comrads? He believes
this white and statute-like figures no
human being, and even the oars cease
to dip while the boat floats silently by,
and the savages pass on the irway to the
settlement to steal stock.


Mary had stood perfectly still, little
caring what became of her; but the
sight of the Indians had changed her
purpose, and no sooner had they passed
than she hastened from the river. As
she turned about, great gray wolf
rose from the grass within few feet of
her, and skunk away with an angry
growl, while a night owl, perched on
the limb of a tree over her head, tapped
his great wings and uttered dismal cries
as he flew affrighted up the river.


Mary had been thinking for the past
few minutes of the "Wild Trapper of
the Blue" and she had now determined
to go to him. She knew she was not
far from his cabin, and why should she
not go and claim his protection? Per
haps he was not bad; indeed she had al
ways Jelieyed he was not so wicked as
they had represented him to be.


The night air was chilly, but she felt
not the cold, for her head was full of fe-
yer; the wind tossed her brown hair abe u
so that she took her shawl and put it
over her head, and then ran briskly
along the trail. In an hour she neared
the fierce hunters cabin; and her heart
beat wildly as she knocked upon the
door. Again and again she Knocked,
but still no response, and then she went
to the little window and peered into the
cabin. She listened, but all was dark
and silent within.


Returning to the door, she raped
louder than before, and voice whisper
ed through the key-hole:


"Who is it?"


For moment she knew not what to
say; then, summoning courage, she re-
piled:


at is MARY Thompson-who wants
you to protect me-"


Cautiously the door was opened and
the hunter looked out and stared ut Ma
ry, to whom he said:


81 thought it was Indians or Regula-
tors; but come in, girl, and beg pardon
| i'i h"' heP' ~" '"' ~ ''N SN'' ~
long"


Then he lit pine knot, and handing
Mary chair, drew out his sharp jack
knife and Whitfield some shavings to kin
die fire. There was soon Il bright
blaze roaring on the hearth, and with
all the politeness of a courtier, he NOV
ed up Mary's chair, and bade her sit
close to the burning embers.


81 heard you," he said, seven before
you Knocked, for my ears have become
somewhat practiced to the sound of ap
preaching footsteps; but l could moi
make you out When | saw your heac
at the window with that shawl over it
| thought it was squaw's head" he
added, laughing; and after moments
pause inquired: "Any Indians down YOU
way?"


Mary simply said 'No," and he press
ed her no farther.


The kettle was boiling, and he made
cup of tea and gave it to her to drink
Then he said:


"Now, young lady, know not wha
brings you here at this time of night
nor do wish to know; but something
dreadful must have happened to caus'
any one to claim any protection iron