Red Bird Read online

  “I’m sorry, Carrie. I didn’t mean to—”

  Carrie interrupted her. “Oh, yes you did, LisBeth. You and everyone else. No one takes me seriously. I’m little and I’m spoiled and no one takes me seriously. Even Everett Higgenbottom treats me like a little doll to pour tea for and take to parties.”

  Carrie marched across the room angrily and stared out the window. Calming her trembling voice she went on. “But I’m going to show them. I’m going to be a woman that Soaring Eagle can be proud of. I’ll go to school while he goes to school. I’ll be ready to teach the Indians when we go back. We’ll make a home together and we’ll—help them!”

  Turning around to face LisBeth, her blue eyes snapping, Carrie repeated, “Everyone says I’m such a beautiful little china doll. It makes me sick! I’m not a china doll! I’m a woman.” She paused for a moment and when she continued, Carrie had regained her composure. Her voice softened as she talked.

  “I was only a little girl when I first saw Soaring Eagle. I thought he was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. Everyone else was afraid of him that day he rode into the mission on that old pony. He looked wild and fearsome. But, still, I couldn’t imagine why they were afraid. I could see how tired he was, feel how much he was hurting. And when I asked him to see that locket of your mama’s—I could see him smiling, inside, the way he does.

  “I’ve prayed for him all these years, and God did something inside me as I prayed. I grew to love him. At first, I thought maybe it was only the memory I loved. But now I’ve seen him, talked to him, and I love him more than ever. And—” Carrie blushed and laughed a light, happy laugh. “And I still think he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” Her cheeks blazed crimson and she raised her tiny hands to hide them before whispering to LisBeth, “I want to be his wife.”

  LisBeth blinked in amazement.

  Carrie perched on the edge of the bed. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?” They’d only laugh.” She sighed miserably. “Even Soaring Eagle would laugh if he knew. But when I’m a college graduate, and I’m teaching out west, then I just know he’ll see me as a woman and forget the little girl.”

  LisBeth opened her mouth to say something, then deliberately clamped it shut. She shook her head before answering. “I won’t tell anyone, Carrie. I promise.”

  Impulsively, Carrie placed a gloved hand over LisBeth’s and squeezed. “What you said about praying about it. That’s all right too. Will you pray for me? For us?”

  LisBeth nodded. “Of course I will, Carrie. I’ve prayed for you for years. I’m certainly not going to stop now.”

  The two women descended the stairs to the parlor together. Soaring Eagle looked up from his chair and said, “Is my little Red Bird all right?”

  Carrie blushed furiously and retorted, “Your little Red Bird grew up and flew away, Mr. Jeremiah Soaring Eagle King. In her place is Miss Carrie Brown—high school graduate—soon to be student at the University of Nebraska. If all goes according to plan.”

  At the sudden announcement, Carrie’s grandfather raised his eyebrows and puffed furiously on his pipe. Her grandmother looked up from her needlework in amazement and Carrie bit her lip nervously waiting for their response.

  LisBeth cleared her throat meaningfully and Soaring Eagle rose to leave. After Soaring Eagle helped his sister into the carriage and climbed up beside her, LisBeth saw him take a long look back up the stairs of the Jennings’ house where Carrie Brown stood in the doorway, watching them until they were out of sight.

  Chapter 4

  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

  Proverbs 12:15

  Thank you for coming, Mrs. Callaway.” Lucy Jennings ushered LisBeth into her home, leading the way across the parlor and out into the garden. “I hope it hasn’t inconvenienced you too much.” Mrs. Jennings lead LisBeth to a secluded arbor and settled onto a garden bench as she continued, “But this is the only day before you leave that I am certain Carrie won’t be about. She’s gone on an outing with some of her fellow graduates. Sort of a farewell picnic, I believe. Everett picked her up in his carriage just before you arrived and they won’t be back for hours.”

  LisBeth sat quietly, listening while Lucy Jennings rambled. It was apparent that Lucy Jennings had something of great importance to discuss. Still, she steered conversation to every polite and meaningless topic available. Finally, she and LisBeth settled into uncomfortable silence.

  After a few moments of dutifully admiring every variety of blossom in the garden, LisBeth asked, “Is everything all right, Mrs. Jennings? You mentioned that it was important for Carrie to be absent for our meeting. I hope there isn’t some problem with Carrie. But, if there is, and I can be of help—”

  “Problem?” Mrs. Jennings replied, strain in her voice, “Problem? With Carrie? Why, no, there’s no problem.” She continued, choosing her words carefully. “Carrie has never been a problem. She’s been a joy for her grandfather and I since the day she arrived.” Mrs. Jennings chuckled, “Albeit a very active and energetic joy. There have been no dull moments in our lives.” Mrs. Jennings sighed and stood up before she continued. She began to walk slowly back and forth beneath the arbor. As she walked, she reached up to pluck a rose, which she began twirling in one hand as she collected her thoughts.

  “LisBeth—may I call you LisBeth?” Mrs. Jennings asked, continuing when LisBeth nodded. “As I have already said, Carrie has been the joy of our lives. However, she has never been an easy child. Always active, energetic, asking thousands of questions, and not always accepting the answers she was given. She has, I think, had a happy life with us.” Mrs. Jennings sat down beside LisBeth again and continued. “But she has always kept the dream alive of going back to Santee someday. At first, Walter and I thought it was just a childish wish for the only home she’d ever known—a very natural yearning for life to be the way it always had been—a desire to return to where her mother’s memory would be more fresh. However, as Carrie has matured, she has reminded us regularly that she would one day be returning to Santee.”

  Mrs. Jennings dropped the rose on the brick path and turned to look at LisBeth. Her brown eyes squinted as she said earnestly, “Walter and I are both sincere Christians. The thought of one of our children—or grandchildren—giving her life to the Lord is a dear one. Normally, we would encourage Carrie along the way.” Lucy paused before continuing, “However, in Carrie’s case, we are concerned that her motive may not be quite so simple as a desire to serve the Lord wherever the Lord leads.”

  LisBeth nodded. “I think I know what you are going to say, Mrs. Jennings. Carrie hasn’t sincerely given herself to serve the Lord wherever He would use her. She has already decided that the Lord will use her at Santee.”

  Lucy Jennings looked past LisBeth and took a deep breath before continuing. “She is such a strong-willed child. I have urged her to pray for the Lord’s guidance—”

  LisBeth interrupted Mrs. Jennings. “And she says that she doesn’t need to pray, she already knows what the Lord wants her to do.”

  Mrs. Jennings nodded. “I see that you’ve already spoken with Carrie. I should have guessed that she would share her plans with you.” With difficulty, Mrs. Jennings went on, choosing her words carefully. “Did Carrie mention any other plans to you, LisBeth?”

  LisBeth hesitated, not certain what to say.

  “May I speak frankly, LisBeth?” Lucy Jennings lowered her voice and when LisBeth nodded encouragement, she continued softly. “I believe that Carrie wants to return to Santee because she believes that she will be able to make your brother fall in love with her.” When LisBeth showed no surprise at the revelation, Lucy Jennings continued, “It’s become such an obsession with her. She’s taken her memories of your brother and written a fairy tale.” Suddenly, Lucy frowned. Reaching out she squeezed LisBeth’s hand. “Please don’t misunderstand me. There’s no bigotry in my concern. From what I have observed and heard, Mr. King is a f
ine man. However—”

  LisBeth interrupted, “However, Soaring Eagle has shown absolutely no interest in Carrie, and you’re worried that she’s rushing headlong to Nebraska to meet with great disappointment. To perhaps make a fool of herself and to do damage to her fragile relationship with God.”

  Lucy nodded her head sadly. “The latter concern is the greatest, LisBeth. Walter and I have spoiled Carrie. I admit it. We couldn’t help ourselves. She’s a delightful child—beautiful, talented, sweet—everything grandparents desire. However, I fear that in spoiling her we have not prepared her for the realities of life. She believes in God, LisBeth, but hers is a God who—” Lucy sighed. “I think that God, for Carrie, is a lot like her grandfather—a kind old gentleman who delights in giving her just what she wants.” Mrs. Jennings paused and looked at LisBeth soberly. “I fear what will become of Carrie when God does not make her fairy tale come true.”

  LisBeth nodded sympathetically. “It will be a shock, that’s certain.” Shifting the focus of their conversation slightly, LisBeth added, “I know that Soaring Eagle is very fond of Carrie. But sincere friendship is all I’ve observed.” LisBeth paused briefly before continuing. “I know that you are right about Carrie’s feelings, and I share your fear that she will be disappointed.” Laying one hand on Mrs. Jennings’s arm, LisBeth asked, “What can I do to help?”

  Mrs. Jennings reached down to retrieve the rose. A few petals fell to the ground, and as the faint aroma of roses filled the air, she continued. “You were here when Carrie so abruptly announced her plans to return to Nebraska this fall. She wants to attend the university there and then return to Santee as a matron or teacher. To her credit, she seems to realize that she is very young and inexperienced—that she has some growing up to do. But she wants to be in Nebraska, near Santee. She’s already written to the university. She’s even written to Augusta Hathaway for a job at her new hotel.”

  At LisBeth’s look of surprise, Mrs. Jennings smiled. “I told you that Carrie has a way of getting what she wants. She had the entire thing so well planned before she even told Mr. Jennings and me, we didn’t know what to say. She took our silence as permission.”

  LisBeth pondered the revelation before answering sincerely, “Aunt Augusta is the perfect person to watch over Carrie. She’ll make Carrie work hard enough to keep her out of mischief. She’ll see to it that Carrie attends church,” LisBeth laughed, “and she’s intimidating enough to ensure that no unwholesome company ever dares to approach Carrie.”

  Lucy Jennings smiled. “That’s good to hear. Mr. Jennings and I had hoped Carrie would remain in St. Louis and attend a private school. We have the funds to make that possible. But Carrie becomes positively livid whenever the subject is broached. Still, it’s asking a great deal of Mrs. Hathaway.”

  LisBeth laughed. “Aunt Augusta will love it. She’s been a great supporter of the university since its inception, and she’ll adore having responsibility for a female student. She’ll also delight in having someone as adorable as Carrie back under her wing to mother. If anyone can handle Carrie, it’s Augusta.”

  “I hope you’ll be able to keep in touch with Carrie, LisBeth.” Lucy paused doubtfully. “Does you brother visit often?”

  LisBeth shook her head. “He’s never been to our home. And he’ll be away at school for at least two years. Dr. Riggs has already said he will arrange summer work to help with Soaring Eagle’s finances. Jim and I usually visit Santee twice a year. Carrie will want to go along, but there won’t be much chance for her to—.” LisBeth hesitated before continuing. “We’ll do our best to chaperone Carrie, Mrs. Jennings. Attending the university will open up new worlds for her. Our pastor in Lincoln is very interested in young people, and I know he’ll have an impact on Carrie as well. She’ll have plenty of opportunity to find a real—well, a real heart knowledge.” LisBeth lowered her voice before continuing, “I remember what it was like to just believe in things because I’d been raised to believe them, Mrs. Jennings. That’s probably what’s going on with Carrie.” LisBeth reached across to pat Mrs. Jennings’s hand. “But Carrie has had a wonderful example in you and Mr. Jennings. The Lord will use that. And I have no doubt that, in time, He will bring Carrie to a fuller understanding of what it means to follow Him.”

  Lucy Jennings was surprised by the sudden tears that pressed against her eyelids. She managed a reply, “I hope you’re right. I pray for it daily.”

  LisBeth reassured her. “You are doing the right thing for Carrie, Mrs. Jennings. The university in Lincoln is young, and the faculty is small, but comprised of excellent men. At least Aunt Augusta says so. Carrie will get a fine education there. She won’t be unhappy like she would be if you forced her to stay in St. Louis. And there will be time for the Lord to work in her life. Time for her to grow into His plan for her; time for her to let go of her own plan.”

  “I hope you’re right, LisBeth. Mr. Jennings and I have prayed for guidance. It seems that letting her go back to Nebraska is the only way to avoid bitter rebellion. We can keep in touch. From what you say, Mrs. Hathaway is definitely equal to carrying a young woman through a challenge, and,” Mrs. Jennings sighed, “I fear that our little Carrie is in for some very great challenges before she truly becomes a woman. It is so very difficult to give up on childhood dreams and step toward adult responsibilities.”

  LisBeth answered sincerely, “We’ll do everything we can to help, Mrs. Jennings. You can be sure of that.”

  The morning of their departure from St. Louis, LisBeth and Soaring Eagle were invited to breakfast at the home of Walter and Lucy Jennings. Carrie chattered happily about her plans to study in Nebraska and insisted that she and her grandparents escort LisBeth and Soaring Eagle to the train station.

  Throughout breakfast Soaring Eagle was unusually quiet and distant. At the train station he absented himself from the small party as often as possible. Only at the very last moment before their trains departed did he reappear. He bowed formally to the Jenningses and Carrie before helping LisBeth aboard her train. Sprinting across the tracks to bound up on his own train, he turned to wave at the Jenningses. Carrie stood quietly by her grandparents, dressed in a blue suit that made her eyes sparkle. Just as the train pulled away and her grandparents turned to go, Carrie pressed her lips to the tips of her fingers and blew a kiss in his direction.

  Soaring Eagle withdrew into the train coach. He didn’t watch Union Station disappear into the distance. Instead, he hurried to an open seat, opened his New Testament, and began to read. Soon, the words dissolved and his mind wandered, finally settling on the image of a petite figure stylishly dressed in blue, blowing a kiss. Jeremiah Soaring Eagle King was disturbed to realize that pondering the image gave him great pleasure.

  Chapter 5

  Anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

  Ecclesiastes 7:9

  The train lurched. Soaring Eagle looked up from reading and knew he was in trouble. Opposite him sat a grizzled, overweight man with a wad of tobacco in his cheek and stains from various meals dribbling down the front of his shirt. The man belched loudly and stretched. As he lit a cigar he looked about him. His eyes narrowed as he inspected Soaring Eagle.

  Quickly, Soaring Eagle thrust his New Testament into his shirt pocket. He had armed himself with an unread newspaper, but in this instance the newspaper did no good.

  Gilbert Slater had already noticed what were, to his eyes, totally incompatible qualities in his fellow passenger. An impeccably groomed Indian was a square peg that did not fit into the round holes in Slater’s brain.

  As soon as Soaring Eagle opened his newspaper, Slater shoved it aside. Taking a puff on his cigar, he thrust his face across the aisle towards Soaring Eagle and blew a trail of smoke into his face. Soaring Eagle blinked back tears and managed not to cough.

  “Well,” Slater half shouted to no one in particular. “Lookee here, folks. Here’s an Injun tryin’ to be white.” Slater took in the details of Soaring Eagle’s garb, with special atte
ntion to the well-polished boots. “Didn’t know I’d be sharin’ my ride to Chicago with an escapee from the reservation,” Slater drawled, scraping the bottom of his manure-caked boots across Soaring Eagle’s feet.

  When Soaring Eagle didn’t move, Slater leaned back, took another puff on his cigar, and was quiet for a moment. He was slow-witted, and it took effort for him to find exactly the right words with which to hurl another insult. In that moment, Soaring Eagle looked about the train car, hoping to find sympathetic eyes—someone he could pretend to know—some excuse to get up and move. Unfortunately, the only sympathetic eyes on the train were feminine. He had long ago learned never to address a woman to whom he had not first been introduced. He steeled himself for what he knew was coming. Slater didn’t disappoint him.

  “You unnerstan’ what I’m sayin’—boy?” Slater waggled a tobacco-stained finger in Soaring Eagle’s face. “You talk-ee English—or do you jus’ look white?”

  “I speak English.”

  “He speaks English!” Slater shouted to the train car. “Dresses white. Talks white. Next stop maybe I’ll see if he fights white too.” Flicking ashes on Soaring Eagle’s boots, Slater challenged, “What about it, Injun? You fight white? Or do ya sneak up behind a man and shoot him while he ain’t lookin’ like the rest o’ your blood brothers?”

  Soaring Eagle said quietly, “I have no quarrel with you.”

  The comment made Slater angrier. His face reddened and his eyes narrowed to two slits. “Well, I got a quarrel with you, Injun. ’Fore I was mustered out I had my fill of cleanin’ up after battles with you and your kind.”

  Soaring Eagle swallowed. He had placed one hand on each of his knees and he was gripping them hard, praying for supernatural help to control his own anger. He was surprised and a little frightened by the rage that was growing inside him. He looked about, praying for some way of escape. Someone was standing in the aisle. A gravelly voice said, “Excuse me, sir, but I believe my sister and I heard you speak in St. Louis.” While Gilbert Slater looked on, the stranger shook Soaring Eagle’s hand. “Woodward. George Woodward.” The stranger turned sideways. “And this is my sister Julia.” After a brief pause, Woodward added, “Would you care to join us for coffee in the dining car?”