The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1859-08-24
CHAPTER II.

Four months had passed ere Harry
was again able to leave the mats whereon
he had reposed, in utter prostration.
The fever had ct last left him, but he was
very weak Ahtawahta had clung to him
with a singular devotion, and had been
true to her promise Aided by couple
of aged squaws, she has brought him from
the very gates of death far on to health.
We find her now, after the lapse of SO many
weeks, still by his side. either administer
ing some restorative or sitting at his feet
listening to the strange stories ofthe white
mans home.
You will soon leave the wilderness ,
sighed the maiden, and 1 shall never see
you more. Four moons have passed
since I saw you-they have been happy
days to me, but we must part. Look
from this door upon the scene without
Already the leaves are withering and dy
ing in the cool autumn blasts. Ere long
the storm king will ride upon the wind,
and wrap the earth in its cold embrace
You will go to meet the warm hearts that
watch for you, while Ahtawahta will grow
cold as the snow. The winter will blight
her very heart s
Harry turned from the contemplation of
the landscape to the bright eyes of the
fair child of nature beside him. lie read
in their dark meaning, words that sent the
warm flush to his cheek. His arm rest
| ed upon her shoulder and almost encir-
cled her neck, joining his hands he pres
sed her to his bosom. .....
'Ahtawahta,' he whispered, i love you,
and must never leave this spot. Be mine
and let me here live and die!'
With glad smile the maiden raised her
moist lips to his; but ere he could press
them, shadow stole across her face, her
head dropped again, as she murmured
sadly:
No, no! it must not bel This has
been pleasing dream to the forest maid
but it cannot be realized. In few moons
Harry would tire of his Indian bride an6
would long for the associations that he
had abandoned Better leave me now
than them ...
.Ahtawahta believes that there is trutl
in the hearth
Yes! but affection may grow cold
Listen to me, dearest! My life wa
preserved by you end to you it shall bt
devoted. Do not suppose that l wisl
merely to pay the debt-that l never cal
do, but over and above all other consider
J ations is the love that can be answered b.
: possession. Icould not breathe word @
harm to you! l have left no one in tn
far off home Of my childhood, for who's
society 1 can languish. Fear not, then
nay truth, for by the light of that great su
| swear-'
No! not for me! The great Manito
: ever! If in some future hour your hear
should wander back to the friends of eal
! lier days, will bid you depart and la
S me down to die At least you will be min
y till them
She did not longer hesitate, but wit
d an impassioned gesture, clung about HI
e neck, while Harry imprinted innumerab
e kisses upon her yielding lips.
e As they stood thus, the sound of horse
a hoofs falling rapidly upon the soft tur
: reused them from their absorption-at II
d same moment one of the two squaws tn,
le had been in attendance upon the youthf
is pair rushed in spoke few hurried wor(
RI to Ahtawahta, and left the hut again.
p 'Wahpeta tells me that our warriors a
g in pursuit of white man, who is urgir
le his horse towards the crossing here. L
IN US 60 forth, for we may save him.
~ 1T may be my brother! exclaimed Ha
4. ry with glad smile, as they passed har
ID in hand out into the forest. Soon the pu
suers aud the pursued appeared in the di
:" tance. Harry at once recognized in Il
10 white man his brother
III 1T is he! it is Barton! Heavens!
10 will be killed!'
De Not so! He is my brother now!' a
er swered the maiden proudly, 'and not Of
a. of our tribe shall dare to molest him.
a. As the horseman drew near, Har
at cried:
nc Stop, brother! Barton do you n
OF know me? tits your brother Harry tn
calls
en- Although the rider heard the voice a
u recognized it, he could not check his ste
sn until he had fairly reached the edge
&C. the river. Ahtawahta placed herself
N, rectly in the way of the pursuers, a
al with motion bade them pause.
"a, short parley ensued at the end of viii
10 the Decotah's IS turned their horses hea
and rode back from whence they b
come.
lit Barton soon made known to his bro
. er the various events that he had pass
GU through as he followed for months
n trails of different tribes of Indians
ere search of the lost one, until his ho
yer died out and he turned to retrace
steps; how he had been met by those "
at were following him, and had run for
'as life.
Harry Newson and his Indian bride
I'd ed to see aourishing town grow
II. on the spot where they first met, for
uu 1,fr hor in