The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1877-05-25

me, and the rapid transit we mad,
was inspiring me with something lik,
natural buoyancy.
At length small opening appear
ed before us looking bright in the sun
shine. Checking our speed a little,
Captain Hsdyn said:
This Is one Of the small prairie,
TO be found occasionally in the Table
quah wilderness. And just to ouI
right is an Indian mound"
Pausing before the smooth, regula,
green prominence we wondered what
relics Of prehistoric people might lie
perchance beneath the surface. IN
this connection my companion gave
me many incidents of the Indian
character rs observed by himself du.
ring his long sojourn among them at
frontier posts.
Moving TN at gentle pace we soon
found ourselves in a natural bower
formed by interlaced boughs and tan.
gled moss. Piles Of dead leaves lay
beneath our horses feet. aud the soft
light Of a curtained window seemed
peacefully to settle over all.
"Helen," said he, suddenly, edo
you know why ! brought you heres'
His tones were 80 earnest that I in.
voluntarily brought my eyes full upon
his, and looked without replying.
IL will tell you" he continued; Tin
the two months Of our acquaintance
! have learned to read your face a. |
would read an open book. You have
intense capabilities Of enjoyment or
suffering.
In our long journey | have sought
to relieve you Of all that could either
add to your burden Of natural sorrow,
or remind you Of il. At times | have
partially succeeded Tomorrow I
must leave you among strange,s. You
are very. very unhappy. Is there
any thing I can do to pave your way
to brighter mood?"
"Nothing-nothing." exclaimed. !
abandoning myself at once {, utter,
heart.breaking grief
"You are too kind too kind! When
you go l shall be indeed alone in the
world"
Drawing nearer and catching up
my bride which was trailing on the
ground, he gently took my hand aud
SAID soothingly,
"There! have only distressed you,
when | meant to comtnrt. Don't
weep SO bitterly, my child. lam but
too fearful of your future in yonder
splendid Mansion Of gilded heartless.
ness. Come with me, Helen. | will
serve you as truly and patiently as
ever knight wooei; and you could
have no choice but to be happy"
Doubling the evidence of my own
ears. l lifted my face to his and met
his steady. truthful eyes and noble
countenance answering beneath my
astonished gaze
81 mean it, he added. II cannot
bear to leave you here. You know
nothing Of the trials Of army life. and
l would lead you as gently as rough
soldier might over the dark places"
"And would you make this sacri.
fee, my kind friend" Ifiund voice to
exclaim-''do you imagine that |
could accept it! Ny beloved father
chose you above all others to take
care Of troublesome charge; does
the Office of guardian demand such .
heroic selfabnegaliony" /
"Self.abnegaiion!' he echoed. II. it
possible Helen, you do hot see that .
love you, That | am offering you the
genuine devotion which alone could
satisfy the cravings of your soul? No
'purious counterfeit would I'LL Your
Were to offer pity instead
# love. would but propose life of
anguish compared with which Noun
ain Hall would he Paradise. No
,o-child. | offer you the honest love
# mature manhood. know | am
,ast the first years of youthful enthu-
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