Page:The trail of the golden horn.djvu/282

278 “Church warm, Gikhi. Kate no let fire go out.”

“What! did you keep the fire going?” Mr. Norris asked in surprise.

“Ah, ah, Kate keep church warm.”

“Why? I didn’t tell you to do that.”

“Gikhi pray for Injun, eh? Gikhi pray Injun come bimeby?”

“Yes, Kate, I always prayed that the Indians might return some day.”

“Ah, ah, good,” and the woman’s face beamed with pleasure. “Kate know Lord hear Gikhi. Kate have church warm when Injun come.”

Impulsively the missionary reached out and caught Kate’s rough hand in his. There were tears in his eyes, and he was deeply impressed by this woman’s remarkable faith and unswerving devotion.

“God bless you, Kate,” he murmured. “Your faith is wonderful.”

Marion’s eyes were misty as she stood silently witnessing this moving scene. Even Hugo and the doctor were deeply affected. They turned away, that their emotion might not be noted. But with Zell it was different. She dropped upon her knees before the missionary, caught his disengaged hand in hers and pressed it to her lips. She uttered no sound, but her action was more eloquent than words, and the missionary understood and was glad.