The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-03-25
Idaho.

lGdh0.
Orians, Countess of Cinchon and wife Of
the viceroy of Peru, was wasting away with
o slow but ihsidious malady that bid deli
ance to all the skill that the court doc
tor, Garcia, could bring to combat it.
With what delight she found herself in
stalled in gorgeous palace, dignifed with
the title of "vice-queen," and surrounded
by a court that was not excelled in splen-
dor by many an European one.
Her joy was shortliVed. The light faded
from her eyes, her blood almost seemed to
cease its flow, and her step grew slow and
languid. Day by day she faded like
bright flower transplanted from its native
bed to an uncongenial cline, until her hus-
band began to despair of her recovery.
'sDo not repine, Carlos" she would say,
in answer to his bitter self-upbraidings.
"Heaven ordained all for the best. Could
I have been happy had I remained in
Spain, with an ocean flowing between usi
No; should have pined myself to death.
If must die now, are you not here to close
nv eyes and hear my latest sigh ? The
thought consoles me for all I suffer, and
resigns me to meet the worst with forti.
tude."
So, unrepiningly the young wife
scarcely more than a girl in years-ingered
on.
Among all her attendants there was one
she most especially favored, young Peru
Wan girl named Idaho. She had found
her one day while riding in the forest, and,
being struck with her wild grace and beauty,
had attached her to her person. Never had
mistress found a more willing maid. Idaho,
apparently, was attached heart and soul to
her patroness. And when this strange sick.
ness came, she it was who watched almost
necessarily by her restless couch, famed
her fevered brow, and presented the cool
ing draught to her parched lips.
The new vice-queen had instituted new
era in provincial government; she looked
upon her Indian subjects as human beings
and treated them as such. Hence her par
tiality to Idaho. She priced the untutoret
Indian girl, whose face was but the mirrol
of guileless heart, far above her European
attendants, and made no secret of he,
partiality. This favoritism incensed th'
ladies of the court beyond measure, ant
Idaho's destruction was resolved upon
Already the poisonous tongue of slande
was at work. To judge of the progress
the enemies of Idaho had made, we mus
! listen to conversation which took plac
between the Viceroy and the learned DR.
Garcia.
They had Just emerged from the sick
chamber upon the fower-coyered veranda
leaving the Countess to the care of the eve
watchful Idaho.
"What do you think of this strang
malady, doctor ?" asked the Viceroy.
"Your excelency, it battles all my skill t.
determine"
"But yoISpust have formed some con
jecture?"
'Most certainly were no true son o
Esculapius had I not done SO; but wha
are conjectures in q case like this? I an
called up to cure an intangible disease
beyond the power of any medicine as ye
known to science. In my opinion her lady
ship is suffering from a fever peculiar II
this climate and country, the only remed,
for which is an herb of some kind know,
only to the Indians"
"Why not obtain it from them?"
Impossible! They are bound by tn
most fearful oaths never to reveal it t.
their European conquerers. Many fruit
less days search have I had in the forest
looking for this same herb. I have of
fered gold, employed threats, but all il
vain. They will not reveal the preciou
remedy. I verify believe that if 20,
were to burn one of these Indians at tn,
stake, he would die with the secret un
spoken"
doctor, I have heard the story of thi
wondrous herb, and believe it to be shee
fabrication, like the marvellous gol
mine we hear of but never find. The dis
ease, which we find so incurable, is nothin
but the effect of slow poison secretly ad
ministered."
poison! What reason have you for thi
conclusion
'The events Of the past My predeGss