The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1846-04-30


T he young men passed into the depth of
the grove. 9" So you are living here quite
domestic! That is your wife and child !
suppose. heard at Boston that you had mar
ried squaw; and turned Indian yourself in
your habits.
Sydney made no reply" You seem quite
happy here" continued WestalI; have you
forgotten Agatha Stanleyi"
Sydney grew pale. "What of her, Frank,
is she marred?'
"No, she is your o,pn Agatha now. She
is here and has sent me to tell you of it, and
bring you to her."
Strange girl" said Sydney, "why could
she not have found that out before. 1t is
too late now must not see her. | can
not see her. Tell her this from me.''
$50 Sydney, you are married and it is
your wife and child, that have seen. The
handsome, the fashionable, the admired
Harry Sydney the husband OF squaw, and
father of papoose! Ha! ha! that sounds
well to tell in our ball-roomsn'.
"No, Frank, to my shame | acknowledge
it, Oniska is not my wife in the eyes Of the
law, though she believes it, How can
leave her to find out how cruelty her trus
was betrayed, good, pure minded, and
loving as she is? Fool that have been to
take that first step into the wrong, but that
wrong must not be increased by desertion.
Many times when the good minister has been
at Wamerit have almost resolved to make
our union legal before him, but | was unwll-
ing TO have Oniska learn had once deceived
her, and little weak OH the sub ject Of an
Indian wife, and so have delayed it; but
the idea has never been abandoned. Smile
if you will, Frank; there is many an ad-
mired belle who will make home less hap
py than the simple forest girl. cannot
leave Oniska, and must not see Agatha
Tell her So"
"Agatha must see Harry if he will not
see her," said a rich musical voice close by
them. The tones thrilled through the heart
of Sydney, for he remembered that voice too
we'll.
A beautiful girl sprang through the shrub
berry; and grasped Sydney's hand, which he
impuIsively extended on sight Of her. All
his former resolutions vanished at the sound
of that voice, and the pressure of that hand.
He could not throw her from him; her,
whom he loved so long and so vainly, and
now so repeotant and loving, and withal, so
very beautiful At least he did not, and
when they parted, he had promised to meet
her again.
Again they met, and again--at each time
the interview was longer and Sydney found
the parting more difficult. Alas, for Oniska,
and her deep, untiring devotion! All her
wild freedom was subdued to his will, and
she had learned the customs, and practiced
the habits of civilization to meet bis wishes.
There is no slavery like love, for the chains
are those that bind the soul, and fasten
themselves on all the springs of thought and
action; Oniska without one earthly bond,
was still the veriest slave thai ever bowed
10 the will of another. His thoughts be-
came her thoughts, and his wishes; his ap-
proval was her sunshine, his love was as the
breath of life. What did this utter devotion
win her? Alas, for Oniska! Sydney, Though
intending always to do right, most generally
suffered his conscience to become the pupil
of his impulses, and he did 50 in regard 10
her for the second time. She knew no
Establishments, and could practice none of
that feminine artifce, that too ofien forms
the only tie for vascllating heart Her
dark eye could speak the emotions of her
soul, but it had not been schooled 10 other
language. She could weep bitter, silent
tears, but she could not call them up to suit
an occasion, or win purpose, and SO, her
rival triumphed.
Sydney told Agatha,tlre whole truth in re.
gard 10 Oniska, but she saw. in her no OBJ
stace to their union. The Indian girl could
90 home to her people. She would not
grieve long-she might seek revenge, but
that they could shun, and what was there to
prevent their mutual happiness? Sydney
was finally won over TO her views, and
EOHIstr saw his changed demeanor before he
could summon the resolution to tell her of
her fate. She asked no questions, but fol-
lowed him to the place where he was ac-
customod to meet Agatha. She saw them
walking arm III arm, and hid herself that she
might listen VheySwere talking on the old
subject, and Agatha vas urging the speedy
remoyaI Of Qniska. The indian girl made
out the purpoft of their conversation. and
her awakened Ceilings would no longer be
concealed. suddenly casting aside the
shrubbery she stood before the startled pair.
With scorching glance at Agatha, she
seized tie arm of Sydney, and attempted to
draw hin away with her, For the first time,
sIIe felt hcrselfrepulsed. The agony Of that
moment cent the blood, like flame, over her
cheek and brow, then it receded till her face
became corpse-like, and her heart seemed
suffecated, and powerless-she stood thus
for moment, then disappeared among the