The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1885-05-15

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pieces Of rock falling together In some
distant age. Directly in front Cf this
opening Is broad and jutting portion
of the cliff, making y perfect platform.
Access TO the cave at this day 10 inn
possible, but II is said that a narrow
path once led 10 u. This peculiar hole
10 the rocks is the "Lovers' Cave" and
. dark legend IL connected with II.
Long years ago there dwelt in the
most favored ssction Of the now famous
bluegrass region OF Kentucky portion
of the once mighty tribsof the Shawnes
Indians, ruled over by an aged chief
tain, whose deeds Of bloody valor were
the admiration Of all tribes both far aud
near. He had for some time been liv-
Ing on terms Of peace with tho few
whito settlers then in his noighborhood.
The apple Of his eye, the light OF bic
lodge and the pride Of his heart was bis
lovely daughter, . most beautiful girl,
with form ~ graceful 80 q swaying
reed, q step Of airy lishtness, eyes like
stars, and q great shower Of raven hair.
The old chief wOrshipped her in blind
and savage way, and tho young braves,
burning with love aud admiration, dared
not approach her lest they incur her
fathers displsasure.
Fortunately for Sunlight, she was as
Jet heart-whols and fancy fess. But
one bright day in early Spring-tins,
when the birds sang joyously in the
budding tree-tops, and tho stsr-eyed
daisies bloomed on the sunny billsides,
ell was changed for the dusky girl, and
she could no longer call her heart her
own. A young pale-face saved her
from the fatal spring Of panther, and
she bad shown her gratitude by falling
deeply and irrretriveably in love with
her rescuer.
Hugh Stanley was . handsome youth,
brave a. lion and true a. steel. His
heart responded instantly 70 the call Of
that Of the Indisn maiden. Their meet.
ings we're many, and, never hoping TO
gain the consent Of the old chief TO their
union, they decided to AY over the
msuntains 10 the whi.o lovers homo in
Virgins.
So one night, when the moon rode
ssrensly in the heavens and the whip
porwill whislled clear and strong In the
scented thickets, they mounted them.
selves on heet horses and fed. But
aIas, when the day dAwned and the ,nn
swung up from behind the eastern bills
Ike huge ball Of ere, they, looking
backward over the level country, saw
far away . moving body Of hOrsemen.
The hearts Of the lovers grew cold and
sick ct the sight, for they we'll know
the old chief was In pursuit.
With horses almost spent, and inevit-
able death awaiting them II captured,
the mind Of Hugh Stanley at once re-
verted to a cave 10 the cliiFs not far
awsy--s place that had afforded him
an asylum Of safety on many . fshing
and hunting expedition. There horses
were abandoned, and, after . tortuous
ascent, tho refuge was gained. Hope
once more spread her white wings over
the pair. But the advancing Indians
we're not deceived. Their keen eye'
had detected the lovers as they ascendec
the precipitous sides Of the cliff. Will
yell of triumph the band of savage
swooped down among the rocks. Th
lovers smiled between themselves, 70
they knew that only one body At tim
could come up the narrow path. VIII
his person concealed behind project
ing bowlder, Stanley thought he coui'
pick them of one by ono with bis IN
erring rife as they came up the cliff
bat in this he was dosmed TO disappoint
ment, for the willy savages were no
long in seeing this difficulty. They
gathered together and a consultation
was had, and it Was sooA evident that
other measures had been adopted. A
huge FIRE was made to blaze in the rocks
below, and the Indians, like so many
grim statues, ranged themselves around
1t. The now Agonized lovers, looking
down from their rock fastness, instinct
lively knew the result Of the consulta-
tion was to doom them to some awful
death. Nor were they kept long in
ignorance Of the methods that had been
adopted to satiate the cid chiefs desire
for revenge.
As the shades of night were slowly
falling over hill and valley, Waakesha,
the father Of Sunlight, separated him.
self from his group of followers, took
position on an elevated rock, and look
ing upward to where his daughter and
her lover wore standing, told them what
would be their fate. Neither, he said,
could ever be forgiven by him he had
bsen cruelty wronged, and his angry
tribe cried loudly for their death. He
would give them Q choice between star
vstion and death at tho stake. With