Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-18
GAY FEATHER.

tRnt divide" It dropped from the
sharp point, and instantly fool of mel
low light poured along the sky, bringing
out in bold relief the long, Jagged out
line OF the range, tinting the white
capped peaks with soft rose color, and,
by vivid contrast, making still blacker
the wide expanse of the plains with their
herbage burnt by recent fires. TO the
left was a small creek whose winding
course was marked by fringe of scrubby
willows, and whose waters flowing down
from the rocky heart of the mountain,
were chilled by the eternal SHOWS.
Suddenly, far to the eastward, there
appeared amid the purple and brown
shadows, strange, lurid glow, and be-
hind 1t, writhing, serpentine length
like the trailing body of huge dragon
with single cleaning eye. 1t swept
along, the light grew larger, there was
prolonged whistle whose shrill echoes
were repeated from the distant rocky re-
cesses, aud then the express with its long
lire of cars steamed into the little station
at Amerilla and stopped short with many
snort and sizzle.
AS usual, crowd had assembled to
greet its arrival. A score of miners
from up the gulch," several officers
from the garrison, two or three Mexicans
with clanking splrs and gay-striped
blankets. together with sundry women
and chiIdren-all laughing and chatting.
TO the left Of the station, party of In
dians formed. picturesque group. All
W re mounted on shaggy ponies. Among
them was young girl with smooth,
well shaped face, bright eyes and 1.-the
form. : he was dress d more gayly than
the two elderly squaws who were her
companions. A bright blanket was
thrown o.er her slender shoulders, and
beneath it was dress Of red and blue
striped calico. Her feet were incased in
porcup;ne quills; string of beads was
around her neck, and in her loag black
hair were braided vari-hued feathers.
Her face wore neither the heavy stolidity
nor the half-repressed erocity of her race
its expression was gentle, almost mel
ancholy. There was pathetic droop to
the sensitive lips, and a mild, pleading
look in her SIT, dark eyes.
As the train stopped, she leaued for
ward Oh her pony, an eager, expectant
look ovcrspreading her face. Among
the first to alight from the cars was tall,
handsome man, wearing an officer uni
form; and closely following him came
the tim. dainty figure of pretty young
lady, who, amid the motley crowd,
seemed like some delicate blossom
dropped down in tangle Of weeds.
The women at the station stared at
her with unaffected admiration, not un-
mingled with little envy.
"Heigh! But she's a rare one!" ex-
claimed Jenny, the Scotch sergeant's
wife. "She's as dainty as a bit of
heather"
"Humphl A stuck-up baggage, I'll
warrant; though, for the matter O that,
her gownd isn't silk event. said Mrs.
Crosse, the wife of the agent" who,
rich in her husbands spoils, glored in
the possession of the only satin dress at
Amerilla.
"Weel, she's bonny bride, anyhow"
persisted Jenny, "an' | don't wonder
,Ast the Lieutenant feels proud of her."
And l wonder what Gay Feather III
sey," said Mrs. Crosse, with a disagree
able laugh and knowing look at the In
uldH Hlll we nave mentioned.
7 he latter caught both glance and re-
mark A faint, red glow overspread her
dusky cheeks. She drew herself up
proudly, uttered q brief word of com
mand to her pony and dashed away
thro lgh the crowd, the mud from her
horses heels plentifully ybespattering Mrs.
Crosses gown.
"Drat these redskins,' muttered the
agents wife.
But Gay Feather needed not this be-
nign remark She kept steadily on her
way toward where the rose -tinged sky
bent down and touched the gloom of the
earth. Her 1.-the form, gracefully erect,
stood out in fine relief against the fast
fading light.
The young bride turned to look at her.
''lsn't that one of your Indian bellies z"
she asked. "isn't she pretty, Ellis.
wonder if could ever learn to ride like
that Do look at her"
"lIushl' said Lieutenant Armand.
''Dont stop here
His voice sounded strangely harsh.
and, half frightened at its tone, the
pretty bride looked up into his face 1t
was white and stern, but relaxed a little
at her appealing glance.
III didn't mean to be severe, Amy,
he said, pressing the small hand resting
on his arm. ''But | want to get into our
cabin as quickly as possible. There's e
rough set here, and can't bear TO have
you stared at. "
Young Mrs. Armand soon realized that
she was indeed among a trough set. -
True, she found novelties, but there was
little poetry. Instead, the plain prose OF
human nature, degraded beyond anything
she had ever seen. Amerilla was not
pleasant place for a refined woman. Bat
Lieutenant Armand had not thought
much about that when he took his bride
from her Eastern home. II was not in
his selfish nature TO b. very cons derate
Of others. Though not bad at heart, his
early training had been void OF those In
fuences which tend TO mold character
aright, and his after.liie had been wild