The Spirit of the Border: A Romance of the Early Settlers in the Ohio Valley

heavily built as to appear of medium height, while their grey eyes and, indeed, every

d Jim, with his hand on Joe's shoulde

r, Jim, and didn't mea

yourself; what m

was, no doubt, strongly inf

iving up. To try to convert the redskins and influence me for good is in both cases impossible. How often have I said there wasn't any good in me! M

is," said

the girl you w

brother. Jim's face paled

g, apparently because you had gambled with Jewett and afterward fought him, I was not misled. You made the game of cards a pretense; you sought it simply as an opportunity to wreak your vengeance on him for his villainy toward me. Well, it's all over now. Though you cruelly beat and left him disfigured for life, he wil

s a sneaking, cold-blooded fellow, with his white hair and pale face, and always fawning round the girls. I hated him, and

We're out on the frontier, where every man looks after himself. Your being a minister won't protect you here where every man wears a knife and a tomahawk, and where most of them are desperadoes. Cut out that soft voice and most of your gentle ways, and be a little more like your brother. Be as kind as

gh. "Yes, I understand that a new life begins here, and I am content.

the big dog who came nosing round him. "You've b

hind the

is eyes gleamed with delight. One was jet-black; the other iron-gray and in every line the clean-limbed animals showed the thoroughb

Mose stood by looking up, and wagging his tail in token of happiness at the reunion of the three old fr

'll take you

them, trotting contentedly at their heels. Half way to the cabins a big, raw-boned teamster, singing in a drunken

drunkenness out here,"

ow yesterday when he couldn't walk.

ward them. As they met he aimed a kick at the dog; but Mose leaped nimbly aside, avoiding the heavy boot. He did not

he'll tear your leg o

drink," replied the teams

answered Joe, cur

ray eyes seemed to contract; they did not flash, but shaded and lost their warmth. Jim saw the change, and, knowing what it signifi

, sat near the door holding one of Mrs. Wentz's children on his knee. His

is a preacher, and has come in place of

-comer meanwhile. Evidently he approved of what he saw in his quick scruti

ith me. I thank God I shall take into the wilderness one who

you in whatsoever way lies in my

ch these fierce savages Christianity; but I know it can be done, and my heart is in the work. I have no fear; y

ad an opportunity of studying Indian nature and believe the race inherently no

lowing with pleasure. She held in her hand several rude trinkets, and was explaining to her listener,

Nell?" Joe as

an errand for

rown eyes and hair contrasted sharply with Nell's. The greatest difference in the sisters lay in that Nell's face was s

ther. We're going w

girl, looking at the handsome ea

ou for all the world,"

you," said Kate,

all," retorted Joe laughingly. "Well, Kate,

lovingly at the children who were playing with the trinkets; while Kate mused over the young man's remark, and began studying his, half-averted face. She felt warmly drawn to him by the strange expression in the glance he had given his b

interrupted by a low cry from outside the cabin. A

, my pur

door-step. He saw Nell struggling violentl

is lassie fer luck," he sa

s laughing, and a fourth, the grizzled fr

go!" cri

y clutch. Deprived thus of breath, his mouth opened, his tongue protruded; his eyes seemed starting from their sockets, and his arms beat the air. The

He had come swiftly up, and arrived at the

rpose," said the frontiersman. "Leffler was tryin' to kiss the lass. He's been drunk fer tw

swered the fur-trader, and to Joe he added, "H

teamster, and again an odd contraction of his eyes was noticeable. The glance was cutting, as if with the flash of cold gray st

something which she did not hear distinctly, and his calm voice allayed her excitement. She had been angry with him; but now she realized that her resentment had disappeared. He had spoken so kindly after the outburst. Had he not shown that he considered himself her protector and lover

and that she had not even heard what he said, so engrossed had she been with her re

any act on his part. His tender tone conquered Nell, a

red, and then, eluding the arm he e