Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-07-22
BACK TO LIFE.
Tho Sleep and Waking OF q
Troubled Bride.


The blue waters Of the Shepscot rip
Piled and flashed in the July sun
shine as it swept on. winding in and
out among the scattered islands till it
reached the broader expanse beyond.
On one of these islands and hardly a
stones throw from the river, stood an
old square house. II faced the water
ami looked toward the landing at the
further end of the island across the riv-
CT, where no work of mans hand as
yet broke in on its wild beauty The
old house had been thought hand
some mansion in its day. That was
more than hundred years ago. but it
was good still, for its oaken timJers
had so far deiied the tooth of timo"
and its capacious chimneys still gave
one glimpse of the sky II he chanced
TO look up. The square 'foreroonin
at the left of the front entrance vet
gave some hint Of its old-time splendor;
a cornice not altogether devoid of ar
tistic finish ran around the ceiling, and
the dull blue paint of its wood work
was yet in n good state of presorva-
ton.
The room opposite this was in more
common use, but the long kitchen
opening from both was the usual win
ter living room of the family. On this
July afternoon light breeze, carry
ing with it the breath of the old-fash-
ioned flowers outside, came in through
the open doorway at one end, swept
across the kitchen to the little bedroom
Mt the other end, and thror gh the open
window wandered off over the fish
lakes that stretched down the slope TO
the fish and boat houses near the water
But as the afternoon wore on the sky
darkened. distant thunders sounded
warningly now and then. till with the
twilight the breeze, grown to a sudden
gale, dashed the large rain drops
against the windows Of the old house
which Mrs. NARROW was hurrying to
close.
''Wall, / declare. father" she said,
coming downstairs quite out of breath,
chow II does rain! Who'd thought it
when twas so pleasant this after
nOon?"
Captain NARROW rubbed the bald
spot on his head reilectively rs he re-
turned: "Docs pour, that's a fact;n
then he added: IL wonder if Eben rot
his hay in. There he is nowr' he ex-
claimed few minutes later. as n
rumbling sound was heard between
the peals of thunder. Hes Just COM
in over the big rock. Sho! he must
be as wet as a drowned rat, and his
hay, toor'
Eben represented the Marlow's near
est neighbor. whose home was but a
few rods from theirs. A little later
binding flash, accompanied by crash
OF thunder heavier than any preceding.
caused Mrs. Marlow TO start up from
her chair. "Mercyr' she exclaimed.
al pity any poor creature that has 10
be out in this" The woman's beneyo-
let face grew grave and she sat silent.
Her thoughts had gone TO her boy
boy he was still to her, though the
bearded captain of the Highflycr had
long since outgrown the name from
others. He was beyond the reach of
this storm, but whatever else might
have befallen him who could tell?
"ies," said Captain NARROW, in re-
Fponsc to his wife's remarks, 'I dunno
when we've had such a storm since
the time Cap'n Jim's barn was struck,
cight-ten-yes, ten years ago This
very month; you recolleet It, don't
your"
ITO be sure do
The storm continued with little !
abatement. just as one peal Of thun- |
der died away AN indistinct sound |
reached the ears OF the two people in |
the long kitchen. They regarded each |
other questioningly for moment, |
then there was a rattle OF the door |
latch. Some one outside was cropping |
for il in the darkness.
The man started up, and going 10 the |
door, throw il wide open 10 the storm. |
but he stepped back as he did so, for |
there on the door-stone stood a figure
strange 10 him The next moment his |
hospitality overeame every other feel.
ing, and reaching out, he said; "Who-
ever ye are, come in.
Mrs NARROW was by bis side aud |
gazing in amnzement at the slight,
white-robed figure. II was Young
girl they had never seen before There
was frightened, appealing look in the
brown eyes. The wind and rain had
beaten upon her head till the dark,
curling hair was drenched and clinging
about her neck. Mrs. Marlow's moth
erly arms stretched out instinctiyely.
'POor ohildr' she said, drawing her
into the room; "why. father, she Is wet
through and through"
lt was quite true; the water drlpped
from the dainty white dress and made
little pools upon the floor. She wore
no wrap Of any kind. As yet she had
not spoken, but stood looking wonder
ingly about the room.
''Whcrc did you come from? Are
you alonePn Mrs. NARROW asked, and
the girl answered with a shudder:
''les. I'm alone.
Dear. dear, poor child Let me get
you something warm"
Captain NARROW set about making a
fire in the co0k-stoyo whilo his wife
took the stranger into the little bed
room. you're all beat out" the good
woman said, piiyingiy, YOU'D better
60 right to bed. " The i,irl made no
but submitted quite
passively 10 whatever was proposed.
She took the warm drink Mrs. Marlow
brought hbr, and then the woman
went back 10 the warm kitchen and
said' II declare, father, the poor things
completely beat out she's asleep al
ready"
"shof' was the response. who Is
lie. fhinkPn
Tho storm was forgotten while the
good people talked over this strange
EonnR creature who had 80 unoxpect-
nnlf come 10 them. Some half an hour
aI.I I1H IIII.Inn I..InI iIl Al 49,. II.t .i..