Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/203

Rh reached the cot, and exhausted by the exertion, she dropped upon her knees and threw her arms over the still form lying there. Not a word did she utter, but sobbed as if her heart would break.

Kate and Tom looked upon the weeping girl with surprise, and spoke low to each other. Then the woman laid her right hand upon the girl’s shoulder and gently shook her.

“You should not be here,” she reproved. “This is no place for you.”

But Zell made no reply. If she heard what was said she gave no sign, but with outstretched arms and bent head continued her sobbing.

Kate spoke more sharply to her now, and tried to draw her away. This aroused the girl, and she turned fiercely upon the woman.

“Leave me alone,” she cried. “I have the right to be here. Gikhi was good to me, and now he is dead!”

Again she bowed her head and remained perfectly motionless, Kate and Tom watching her, not knowing what to do. The girl puzzled them. They knew that she had run away from the mission school, which had been a great grief to the missionary and his wife. Now she had come back, and avowed her love for the Gikhi.

They were still standing there when a noise outside arrested their attention. Then a knock sounded upon the door. As no one entered, Tom crossed the room, opened the door and looked out. Standing before him were four weary-looking people, three of whom he at once recognised. But the white woman he did not know.

“Is the missionary at home?” Sergeant North asked, surprised to see the Indian.