, 1862-09-18


Fear lent the girl strength, and taking bis
hands she lOFcibly drew him from the couch, and
towards the blazing hearthstone. The action
fully awakened him. and as memory returned he
blessed bis young hostess. Drawing to the fire
. chair, curiOusly inwrOught with tender saplings
and massive grape-Vines, she said
"Sit here, and will make some broth, and
when you have eaten Of that you may sleep
awhile"
When she saw him seated, she drew out somV
Goals, set skillet over them, and had soon the
breast Of prairie chicken dissOlving into q 50
vorY soup. Very hard did Hugh strive 10 keep
awake, but in vain. The girlish figure which Al
first il seemed such bliss to watch, soon blended
with the fire-light; then . son mist seemed to
hover over bis eyes, and then they closed, and
be again slept The withdrawal Of the bars
aroused him, and when, On turning, he saw the
young girl draw buffalo robe about her, and
take up lantern as Il to 60 out into the storm
alone, all his manhood TetuFiied, and forgetting
that be was shOeless, he startsd to accompany
her.
"Go back" she said with . gentle frmness.
You are not strong enough yet to Withstand
these blasts. Ionly go to stable your horse, and
! have two gallant friends for an escort" she
said, pointing to the dogs. "GO back you are
yet too weak"
And indeed be was, for even as she spoke hC
reeled and would have fallen, but that she caught
his arm and again seated him. His head dropped
at once, and she saw that he had i4intei.
" must go now, she said, "wbile be Is lost
to HIMSELF for he is so rash be win insist on brav
ing the storm when he comes TO-"
And hastily unclOsing the door, she hurried
out
A loud, cheerful neigh from the strangers
hOraa srHaakad has 80 fnaN Nka H.fehf,l NaaA
stood close to the threshold. FearlesSly she
grnsped him by the bride and led him to q small,
low, thatched shed, and surrounded on three
sides by massive stacks. A little Indian pony
and gentle mich COW were already there, and
both greeted her in their own strange tongue as
though she were q welcome VisitanL For an in.
slant she stood with her arm thrown gracefully
about the neck Of the one, as he beht his head,
then gently patted the other, and then fastening
the strangers horse in an empty stall, and throw.
ing down an abundant supply Uf food for all,
she carefully locked the rough door re'entering
the cabin.
Hugh was just recovering from his fainting IT.
A glass Of water, quickly brought by the untir-
ing hands Of his hostess revived him sufficiently
to partake Of the delicious broth she had pre-
pared. ra-,s
"And now" said she, " you may sleep awhilsI"
and she pointed 70 the couch Of robes. " Pre-
sentiy ] WIN prepare he1FtieF supper, and then.
arouse you. After that, you viii, trust, be re.
crtiited enough TO sleep without danger"
No sooner was Hugh's head pillOwed Upon the
yielding furs than delicious slumber stole over
him. Eleanor, for such was the young girls
name, watched him till satisfied bis sleep was
calm and sound, and then seating herself 10 the
chair he had vacated, gave herself up 70 what
scented painful thoughts. ..-|
Completely restored to CONSEQUENCES By his
sound, sweet sleep, Hugh arose, no longer reel
ing sick man, but noble young soldier, whose
mission Il seemed might be 10 protect with his
stout arm and gallant heart the fair girl who thus
far had been his saving angel. And when he
had partAken Of the delicious repsst she had pre-
pared, his strength seemed entirely restored, ,ahd
he marVelled that he could ever have BEEN so
worn and weak when he tremblngly knocked ct
that cabin door. And then, too, he leisuFely
surveyed bis young hostess, and . wondering,
admiring, almot adoring glance he cast towards
her, as she, with qhiet gFaeeiulness, gathered up
tho dishes, rinsed and returned them 70 their
places on . rude SHELF and then put away the
remnants Of the meal There was the same
strange blending Of refinement and Fudeness In
the dress that was seen in the Adornings Of the
table. and yet Il vas picturesque IN the extreme.
Her feet were encassdin bCanliinlly embroidered
rich broad.clOth, bordeTed at the hem and cuffs
with the skin Of the silver grey fox, collar Of
the same rare fur surrounding her sn0w-whlte
neck. But that was fastened at the throat BY >
delicate spray Of gold, while over Il hung chain
Of the same precious metal, and pendent from
that . jewelled cross. A diamond ring, and
others Of plain gold, flashed from her fingers,
which, though somewhat brown and eolored,
were yet tApering Is queeh'G -,..
But the strange Wonderings which the sight Of
those rich jewels on maiden In that lonely cabin
awakened in the mind Of Hugh were forgotten
as often as his glance rested on the exquisite
beauty Of her eOuntenanee. Such dark, elu'
quent, yet mourniully tender eyes It seemed to
him had never before met his; nor ever had he
seen brow so regal, cheek so fair, not pale, !"
lips with such delicious curves and such coral
hueS, nor such q wealth Of tresses, dark IS mid
night, yet sOfl and rich as untwisted silk. VI
"What glorious picture she would make"
said fancy TO him, while at the same moment his
heart spake up and whispered In thrilling tones,
" What glorious wile"
He iorbOre for time to question her, but his
eufi1sity at length mastered his pOliteness, and
in gentle, brotherly tones he expressed his sur
prise at meeting pale faced maiden there.
I" | wonder not, ," said she, IN reply, "that L
seems strange 10 you. have lived here already
four long years, and in ell that time seen none
but Indian females, and, beside yourself but
two white men, and she breatheda deep, long
sigh.
" But what could have induced you to pene.
lrate thus Ear into the kilds Of the territnry."
She hesitAted moment, then answered, in
low; sad tone
sThe love ! cherish towards an unfortunate
father"
And there was an instructive shrinking In Of
her soul that made Hugh feel, palmer than words
would have told him, that the subject was . pain.
fIl one.
He adroitly changed the conversation. but lie.
tened eagerly while she told Of the wild adVen.
lures that had cha Acterized their lonely life, and
the many strange and beautiful things that had