Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-08-19

| can do nothing more for her, and took his
leave saying =" will call again this after
noon."
| When the stranger entered the room in the
morning, she caught sight of Ellen bending
over the bed in the next room, and inquired,
is any one sick ?"
81 Yes, replied Lena" our Nora is very
ill.,"
May see her %
moment more and she stood by the sick
couch, and as her eyes rested upon the sufferer,
Lena saw her start suddenly then taking the
little wasted hand, she looked long and earn
estly into Nora's face. Presently she took a
seat by the bedside and, after having closely
watched the sufferer for half an hour or SO,
went into the kitchen and said to Lena
| Stranger has seen many sick like the pale
Lady, mong her own race cured may she ap-
ply the same remedy for the sick one ?"
Lena caught her hand and a faint smile
CLEANED on her lips though she uttered not
word
May stranger cure her?'
" Yes, oh yes, if you can,' replied Lena.
"Then stranger must go to the woods - and
she Immediately disappeared.
After an hours absence she returned with
the sought for herbs in her hand. She imme-
medately prepared drink of these, which she
administered to Nora, closely watching the ef-
feet. For an hour the sufferer seemed strug-
Cling between life and death but gradually
she sank into a quiet sleep which seemed to all
but Silver Bird, (whom the reader has no doubt
recognized) to be her last sleep. In this she re-
manned two hours and when she awoke the cri-
sis seemed passed and Nora appeared better.
Silver Bird again gave her another drink see
ing that 1t was having the desired effect. She
soon after fell asleep again and slept till late
in the afternoon, when the Doctor arrived and
he Immediately pronounced her better, and
turning to Ellen inquired the cause of this sud
den change.
After hearing the cause, he turned to Silver
Bird and asked to see the wonderful remedy,
saying he had often heard of the skill of the
Indians, but never saw anything of it before.
He soon took his leave, after addressing Silver
Bird thus O. resign her to your charge, con-
fdent could leave her in no better"
Nora was soon able to sit up, and daily grow
ing better Silver Bird still remained with them,
for when she had spoken of leaving Nora had
said you must never leave us, dear Silva (for
such had she given as her name y you have
saved my life, and let me know that you accept
tmy gratitude by making this your home and
become my adopted sister"
Thus solicited, Silver Bird not knowing where
to 60 had consentsd to remain, and said " Will
ingly will Silva stay with such kind friends,
for she has none else where she can CO."
Nora daily improved. and on her cheek,
like lilly pale, the glow of health, again re-
turned But the light-hearted girl was great
ly changed She seemed living like one under
a cloud and Aunt Lena and Silver Bird often
found her weeping. To Aunt Lena the cause
of these tears was well known. Seeking one
day to comfort her, she said
"Nora, the manner in which Jason obtained
your promise, does not make it binding
and"
"Oh Aunt Lena do not say so, must
keen it; Ishould not dare to break it besides
these quiet days of returning health are replete
with lessons of christian patience to me.
think can soc the cause of my punishment 4;
it might be I was making an idol for my soul,
forgetting the God who made me. If so, oh !
blessed be the hand that dashed the cup from
my lips. If Jason were not just as he is, |
could feel more resigned !; but may exert an
influence for good over him, and if I can forget
Percy which am daily striving to do, may
yet be happy"
Aunt Lena said no more, but she daily prayed
that when Jason should behold the change in
Nora he would release her from her promise
Alas she little knew that it was not Nora
so much as her property, that attracted him
and that it would have made but little differ
ernce to him, had she died for then it would
of course come into his hands. And another
thing she knew not, nor did any one else
around there, that the Indians who had carried
them off were painted men, bribod by Jason
to effect his plan of obtaining a promise from
Nora. If she had, she would not have though
he would rellnquish that which had cost him
so much to obtain.
There was something very singular in the at
tachment existing between Silver Bird and
Nora. On Silver Birds side, she seemed to wor
ship the very ground upon which Nora trod
and often after Nora had been talking to her
she would suddenly rise up, all unconscious o
what she had said, throw her arms around hel
and weep bitterly, as if some charm fingered
in Nora's voice that called up sad memories ii
the heart of the poor Indian girl. Nora woult
say, tell me, dear Silva, what troubles you p
but she could learn nothing from her as to the
cause of her mysterious actions.
During all this time, while July was pass
ing, and drawing every hour nearer the dreaded
day to Nora, where was Jason Had we sough
the British army we should have found hin
there Ernest had returned to Col. Warner
regiment, soon after the death of Mabel wher
he was received with great joy by his compan
ions. for all had mourned him as lost since tn,
return of Lane When Lane could believe i
,oas Ernest, flesh and blood, he took him in hi
arms and wept like child, saying;
Thank God you have escaped the rec
skins"
"Troth,, said Pat, g niver expected to
see you alive an living, Masther Ernest, wher
T LoanA >,,,ra ahost had laft vou're hodv