Louisiana capitolian., 1881-09-22

SuhiHVD VAolpo w uu0 MVUJO Ul0u5lUu
had been frequent, and he had learned
to love the little maiden with all the
fierce. passionate ardor of man who
esteemed a woman's heart priceless
jewel. He had told his love and was
Nellie's accepted suitor.
One evening he and Nellie we're riding
in % canoe upon the lake. They had
been talking Of the time when Charley,
who was soon to return to New York to
furnish his medical education, would re-
turn for his bonny bride. Charley had
nothing beyond his profession, but Mel
lie said that was enough; that together
they would share the rebuffs Of poverty
and enjoy the prosperity that might fall
to their store.
"Nellie," said he, pointing to an island
about mile from tho shore. "did ever
tell you Of the legend Of that island and
why the Indians call it the "Haunted
Island 7"
"No, Charlie. Please do tell me.'
"Well, few years ago there was an
old Indian chief named Lone Wolf. lie
was the chief Of all the Lake Superior
tribes, but since the death Of his squaw,
Little Gazellc,' lived on that island.
He made considerable money by the
sale Of furs at the trading posts, and this
he had always taken to his island. Mono
Of his people dared to follow him to that
mysterious retreat, and one morning he
failed to return to the main land. A
week passed away. His people became
alarmed Mt his prolonged absence. One
evening about sunset, some Of them got
in canoe and padded over to she
island. As they neared the shore, they
could see the chiefs tepee, aud near it
his recumbent form. They landed just
at dusk and found Lone Wolf dead.
They picked up his body and placed it
in the canoe. Already it was growing
dark, and objects at short distance
were hardly distinguishable IN the gath
ering gloom. AS they showed off, they
heard an unearthly wall, and looking
back they saw tall, white object at the
top of the hill, back of the chiefs tepee.
Again that long, quivering cry resounded
over the lake, and wds echoed back from
either shore. As they looked, it waved
It's long, white arms in threatening
manner, and once more that uDearthly,
wailing cry rang over the water. This
was too much. They dropped the chief
into the bottom of the canoe and pad
died back to the main land with all the
speed possible. The tale was told to the
people in the village and now you can't
induce Lake Superior Indian, under
any circumstances, to visit tho island
which they call the Haunted Island
They believe that they saw the spirit of
their chief protesting against their in
vason Of his retreat. I think the mys-
terous object must have been white
heron. Tho Indians, naturally super
stitious, would regard is as warning
from the spirit land to keep away from
the island. l intend to explore the whole
place tomorrow"
ooh, Charlie, aren't you afraid :"
"What is there to feari Besides l
have always had curiosity to explore
the place and must before ! 60 back"
The canoe was headed homeward and
neither spoke again of tho Haunted IT,
land, but their conversation was mat
ter that would interest them moro than
the reader.
The next morning Charlie set of in
his canoe. AS he neared the island he
could SEQ several white herons perched
solemnly on the beach or stalking back
and forth with ridiculous gravity. Oc-
casionally one would pause, flap his
wings and give vent to that peculiar cry
which had so startled the Indians. As
his canoe grated on the pcbbly beach
the herons flew off in alarm. Nero, who
did not enjoy boat rides, leaped eagerly
out as his master drew the light craft
upon the shore. Charlie then sauntered
of.
The island was about % mile and
halflong and q half mile wide. 1t con-
sisted Of hills which were covered with
forest trees. On the north side these
hills ended in sheer preeipice of rock,
while to the south they sloped gradually
to the waters edge.
Charlie sauntered around slowly, Curl
ously looking at the arrow heads, toma-
hawks and other evidences OF Indian life
that marked the site ofthe old chiefs
tepee.
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