Free Marna by Norah Hess

hands. Sipping the hot, fragrant liquid, he couldn't remember when he had been so relaxed and at peace with
himself.
    Dusk came on, bringing a chill with it The cry of a
nighthawk sweeping through the forest startled Marna
and made her shiver. Matt, thinking that the night air
had caused it, ran his eyes over her inadequate clothing.
"I'll get you some buckskins to wear tomorrow," he
said gruffly.
    Matt joined his friends at the fire and Caleb brought
out a deck of soiled, dog-eared cards. His fingers riffled
them dexterously a moment, then began to deal them
out Marna rose and dug her blanket out of Matt's gear.
Her husband wouldn't be returning to her anymore tonight.
    Spreading the blanket in the shelter of two boulders,
she rolled herself in it. From her spot in the darkness
she could watch Matt openly with no danger of someone reading her eyes.
    She was unused to sleeping on the ground and missed
her feather bed at home. Thoughts of her grandmother
came swiftly, and already she was homesick for the old woman. How lonely she must be tonight. Had Grandpa
beaten her after they had left? Her eyes became damp
with pity and tenderness. Poor Grandma. She had
struggled so bravely against Grandpa through the years
so that her granddaughter would have a half-decent
home. Suddenly she was weeping hard, her head buried
in the blanket. Was she also to have the same kind of
life? It was true Matt hadn't hurt her physically yet, but
he had hurt her mentally a dozen times. And as for
striking her, that could change any time. She had sensed
the violence in him, ready to erupt at any time.

    Her heart heavy, Marna turned her back to the campfire and cried herself to sleep.

     

The sun was well up when Marna awakened. The ringing sound of axes and the loud hammering of mallets
filled the air. She raised her head and peered from behind her shelter. Milling around and getting into each
other's way, the hunters worked ineptly at putting together their winter quarters.
    It was a haphazard-looking affair, standing starkly in
the center of the clearing. The logs were of varying
sizes and lengths. There was no sign of a window, and
Marna mused how dark it would be inside. Also, it
looked awfully small for eight people to spend a winter
in it
    The thought of her own cabin thrilled Marna and
brought her up on an elbow. Matt would think her lazy
and uncaring about her new home. She should have
been up hours ago.
    Throwing back the blankets, she found her dress
hopelessly wrinkled. She frowned irritably. Her natural
neatness would not let her be seen in such a slovenly
manner. Her eyes traveled to where she had stored her
bundle of spare clothes. It was gone!
    Marna swept to her feet, and then she saw the set of
buckskins spread over a boulder behind her. They were
of a small size, and she remembered Matt saying that
he would get some for her.
    As she picked them up, understanding flashed in her
eyes. Of course. He had sent the squaw for them last
night. A pleased smile tilted her lips.
    Marna crawled back into the blankets, drawing the
buckskins with her. Feeling Corey's lustful eyes upon her, she was careful to keep the covers pulled to her
chin as she struggled into her new clothes.

    They were on at last, and she stood up. The fit was
snug but comfortable. The softness of the tanned hides
against her body felt good. She walked about in them
and was delighted with her new freedom of movement.
No more long skirts flapping about her legs, catching on
every bush she passed. She leaned against the boulder
and slipped on the beaded moccasins that lay on the
ground. She smiled with pleasure. She had forgotten to
bring along shoes, and in the evenings and early mornings the ground was becoming quite cold.
    Unaware of the hungry eyes that fed upon the curves
the buckskins had brought to light, she hurried to the
distant sound of Matt's ax.
    Matt heard Marna coming before she reached him.
The soft