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Two homelier men could hardly have been found. Moreover, the sacrifice of
their lives to missionary work had taken them far from the companionship of
women of their own race, so that they lacked the ease of manner which women
like to see in men. Young and Edwards were awkward, almost uncouth.
Embarrassment would not have done justice to their state of feeling while
basking in the shine of Kate's quiet smile. They were happy, foolish, and
speechless.
If Kate shared in the merriment of the others Heckewelder could not conceal
his, and Nell did not try very hard to hide hers she never allowed a suspicion
of it to escape. She kept the easy, even tenor of her life, always kind and
gracious in her quaint way, and precisely the same to both her lovers. No
doubt she well knew that each possessed, under all his rough exterior, a heart
of gold.
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One day the genial Heckewelder lost, or pretended to lose, his patience.
"Say, you worthy gentlemen are becoming ornamental instead of useful. All
this changing of coats, trimming of mustaches, and eloquent sighing doesn't
seem to have affected the young lady. I've a notion to send you both to Maumee
town, one hundred miles away. This young lady is charming, I admit, but if she
is to keep on seriously hindering the work of the Moravian Mission I must
object. As for that matter, I might try conclusions myself. I'm as young as
either of you, and, I flatter myself, much handsomer. You'll have a dangerous
rival presently. Settle it! You can't both have her; settle it!"
This outburst from their usually kind leader placed the earnest but awkward
gentlemen in a terrible plight.
On the afternoon following the crisis Heckewelder took Mr. Wells to one of
the Indian shops, and Jim and Nell went canoeing. Young and Edwards, after
conferring for one long, trying hour, determined on settling the question.
Young was a pale, slight man, very homely except when he smiled. His smile
not only broke up the plainness of his face, but seemed to chase away a
serious shadow, allowing his kindly, gentle spirit to shine through. He was
nervous, and had a timid manner. Edwards was his opposite, being a man of
robust frame, with a heavy face, and a manner that would have suggested
self-confidence in another man.
They were true and tried friends.
"Dave, I couldn't ask her," said Young, trembling at the very thought.
"Besides, there's no hope for me. I know it. That's why I'm afraid, why I
don't want to ask her. What'd such a glorious creature see in a poor, puny
little thing like me?"
"George, you're not over-handsome," admitted Dave, shaking his head. "But
you can never tell about women. Sometimes they like even little, insignificant
fellows. Don't be too scared about asking her. Besides, it will make it easier
for me. You might tell her about me you know, sort of feel her out, so I'd -"
Dave's voice failed him here; but he had said enough, and that was most
discouraging to poor George. Dave was so busy screwing up his courage that he
forgot all about his friend.
"No; I couldn't," gasped George, falling into a chair. He was ghastly pale.
"I couldn't ask her to accept me, let alone do another man's wooing. She
thinks more of you. She'll accept you."
"You really think so?" whispered Dave, nervously.
"I know she will. You're such a fine, big figure of a man. She'll take you,
and I'll be glad. This fever and fretting has about finished me. When she's
yours I'll not be so bad. I'll be happy in your happiness. But, Dave, you'll
let me see her occasionally, won't you? Go! Hurry get it over!"
"Yes; we must have it over," replied Dave, getting up with a brave, effort.
Truly, if he carried that determined front to his lady-love he would look like
a masterful lover. But when he got to the door he did not at all resemble a
conqueror.
"You're sure she cares for me?" asked Dave, for the hundredth time. This
time, as always, his friend was faithful and convincing.
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"I know she does. Go hurry. I tell you I can't stand this any longer," cried
George, pushing Dave out of the door.
"You won't go first?" whispered Dave, clinging to the door.
"I won't go at all. I couldn't ask her I don't want her go! Get out!"
Dave started reluctantly toward the adjoining cabin, from the open window of
which came the song of the young woman who was responsible for all this
trouble. George flung himself on his bed. What a relief to feel it was all
over! He lay there with eves shut for hours, as it seemed. After a time Dave
came in. George leaped to his feet and saw his friend stumbling over a chair.
Somehow, Dave did not look as usual. He seemed changed, or shrunken, and his
face wore a discomfited, miserable expression.
"Well?" cried George, sharply. Even to his highly excited imagination this
did not seem the proper condition for a victorious lover.
"She refused refused me," faltered Dave. "She was very sweet and kind; said
something about being my sister I don't remember just what but she wouldn't
have me."
"What did you say to her?" whispered George, a paralyzing hope almost
rendering him speechless.
"I I told her everything I could think of," replied Dave, despondently;
"even what you said."
"What I said? Dave, what did you tell her I said?"
"Why, you know about she cared for me that you were sure of it, and that you
didn't want her -"
"Jackass!" roared George, rising out of his meekness like a lion roused from
slumber.
"Didn't you say so?" inquired Dave, weakly.
"No! No! No! Idiot!"
As one possessed, George rushed out of the cabin, and a moment later stood
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