After a time little brother and I wanted to see Mary, so father took us
to her wigwam, which was covered with black bear skins. There we found
Mrs. Frankle with her sister and the children. Mary was sitting on a
bear skin rug with her hands folded and her eyes almost shut. I wish I
could describe her as she looked sitting there in her dark beauty. I
could not take my eyes off her. She raised her eyes and looked at me as
if to know what I wanted or what did I see. Then she smiled and sprang
to her feet, coming towards me. I backed away and gave a great sob just
as I have felt since when looking at some beautiful picture. It seemed
to thrill me through and through. She seemed almost to know my thoughts.
She seemed almost afraid to move. At last she took me in her arms and,
sitting down near Mrs. Frankle, the great tears rolled down her face.
Mrs. Frankle put her face near Mary's and kissed her. Then the great
sobs came. The Indian maiden may sob but never cry aloud like her white
skinned sisters. I wondered why Mary should sob and the tears fall on my
face when she was so beautiful and had such beautiful clothes. I felt
of her dress and arms, passing my hands over her face, which made her
smile. She then gave us some pretty shells to play with. Soon Mary's
father came to see if she were ready to appear before the crowd. When
his eyes rested on her a pleased look came over his face. He seemed to
be satisfied, for he gave a shrug, saying "ugh ni-chi-chin" (good),
meaning he was satisfied with her appearance. Little Charley and I had
found the pretty leggings and moccasins Mary had made for her father and
lover and ran to the Chief with them, holding them up for him to see,
telling him Mary made them. He took them in his hand and smiled. He
seemed pleased, but Mary came as if to take them. He kept them in his
hand, talking long and earnestly to her. She stood with her head bowed
and sad. He showed Miss Harriet and Mrs. Frankle the pretty work, which
they admired, but Mary seemed so sad they wondered.