Connecticut western news., 1875-10-15
THE Beautiful Mormon; |; Among the Colorado Indians; A Story of the Mountain Meadow
 Massacre. By Major Alfred ROchefOrt.
CHAPTER I.
By Major Alfred RochefOrt.
A THOUGHT OF FREEDOM.

CHAPTER I.
 A THOUGHT OF FREEDOM.
 You must marry him! Not another word He will be here tonight, and the wedding cannot be postponed beyond the morning."
 Isaac Henderson, the Mormon Elder, grew very red in the face as he spoke, and his little eyes seemed ready to pop under hls bushy eyebrows as he glanced at his daughter.
 But cannot love this man, Saul Gris- com. He is old enough to be my father, and has children married, besides other wlvess Why should he want me ? said Lucy Henderson, an appealing look in her black eyes. as she turned them on her father.
 Her red lips trembled, and with out s reatcl cd arms she made hesitatine step towards him.
 Cant you love hlm! What does he care for your love? Saul Griscom ain't milksop of boy Do you hear me?'
 T do do ? she sobbed.
 Then hear me further. When you are his wite, you must obey him. But do you know who you are now ?"
 Your daughter, believe
 Yes, my daughter; and until you are married you must obey mo. Do you understand?
 I understood but too wcll,' she answered the tears on the long lashcs increasing the size and brilliancy of her glorious eyes.
 Isaac Henderson was about to leave the room; he had gone as far as the door, which he beld partly open, when looking back, he saw Lucy standing with bowed head, the picture of dejection, on the spot Sue had occupied for the last ten minutes.
 He was heavy-set, coarse-looking man, with not the slightest resemblance to the beautiful girl before him.
 Her appearance may have touched his heart, or he may have been prompted by generous feeling to explain his cruel con- duct. No matter what the motive, he came back and said:
 Lucy, Elder Griscom has me in his power. Tomorrow he could justly claim everything 1 have in the world. He will free me the moment you are bis Wife. You can see my motivesT
 He had walked back, and now attempted as he spoke, to lay his hand in consolng way on her shoulder.
 Lucy shrank from the touch, and trembled visibly as the rough fingers touched hcl, but she remained silent. You would ruin me-your father-to gratify a whim,' he said, in @ tone that but illconcealed his suppressed anger. Say rather you would curse my life, and sell me like a slave in order to retain your prosperity, mortgaged to gratify your taste for liquor, and your love for gambling with the Gentiles.'
 Lucy stepped back, raised her head, and looked boldly at the man before her. Isaac Henderson was for the moment stunned by this unexpected opposition. ] Under the laws of the Mormon Church, l this girl was his property as much as ever was the slave property of West India master, and he had the control of her in every way but that of taking her life l unprovoked.
 He hadimade pledge to Elder G'lscom, and that pleoge be determined to keep l not with any manly idea of the honor ot his word, but with the selfish motive Of buying himself clear from the man who held him in his power.
 l There is no use in reasoning with you. You know my decision, and you must make up your mind to abide by it. This time tomorrow you will be the wife of Elder Griscom.'
 Isaac Henderson again walked to the door, and turning again, looked at the fair girl, who, like statue of despair, again stood with clasped hands and bowed head in the middle of the room
 T know what you are thinking about uow.' he hissed showing his yellow teeth.
 Of what am thinking ? she asked.
 Of that long g-haired. smooth-faced, oily tongued Gentle, Paul St. Clare. Didn't I tell you he was dead-killed, back among the canons, by the Utes, into whose terri tory he went to hunt for gold? It is well they did kill the dog, for had he come back to the Virgin River again, he would never left it alive. Banish- him from your mind; you have seen him for the last time.
 Isaac Henderson closed the door after himwith loud bang, and unnoticing the act, Lucy still stood pale-faced and buried in thought. , ....
 After time she reused herself, with an effort, her whole appearance changed, and clenchIng her hands she stamped one little foot on .the floor, and with an intense whisper, said:
 It is false Paul St. Clair lives; but he is powerless to aid me now when most need his words of wisdom, and the prosec- ton of his swift foot and strong arm. Oh, I am helpless !-so weak and helpless! She sank into a chair, and burylng her pale face in her little white hands, she sobbed as if her heart would break
 ..'The beautiful white girl has clouded heart'
 Lucy was startled from her reverie, and glancing up she saw before her an Indian | splendidly- formed being, looking more like an Aztec queen than one of the nomad tribes that invested the mountains, | Zelonah was ln truth an Aztec of the Moqui nation, captured years ago, with hel brother, by the Navajoes. They had been subsequently purchased from the fierce tribe by Isaac Henderson, and now acted as servants in his family. Yes, Zelonah, my heart is clouded, and never again can the sunlight of happiness touch it. Hope in me is dead Lucy rose and threw her arms about the Indian glrl's neck. -a. .- --~ --~r ..-... Speak not so. Hope in me is eyer alive and though remain here till my hair i! white as the snow on the mountains above the valley, yet will I still feel that l am tt spend the last of my life among 1.-the people of my fatherst and be buried in the shadow = of my native hills. But tell me why yot g are cast down. I, at least, am your friend as is my brother Ulay.' B I am sure of that Zelonah but neither ? of you can help me now,' sobbed Lucy. 3 Let me hear first your trouble, then VI r can judge if there is a remedy, said Zelonal on her shoulder.
 g Lucy related everything about he 7 approaching marriage, and added:
 But, ZelOnah, would rather cie!
 You would run the risk of death [,
 escape this mau?
 0 Yes, Zelonah, the risk of housant ,, deaths!'
 And your heart still turns to the hand some young white man, Paul St. Clair ? e It does
 e Do you believe he is dead? f No; cannot believe it, Zelonah.'
 You would be willing to attempt al escape from this place? ? asked Zelonah