Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1888-02-16

49,
SHE WAS PAST REvIv1SG AND DEAD.
ed and dazcd, his left arm hung limp and
motionless by his side, but his eye, wild and
haggard, shot around the glances Of man
determined and desperate even to death.
Naughti naughtl could he scel Naught,
except black, il-omened bird OF strange
form and plumag Standing motionless on
crag that overlooked the deeper part Of
the cove, II suddenly shriclsod out ip those
same weird, dnearthly, frightened tones
that he had heard before; and, spreading it's
wings, soiled wearily away toward the
pines.
With an execrati0n, Fairfax hurled a
stone after 1t. Thrown with uucrring aim
and tremendous force, the missile hit tho
creature so that IL tumblod hc9 Fily 10 the
ground, where IL lay nuttcring in the
throcs Of death.
Fairfax glared at It with no other emo
tion than that Of hate and gluttcd revenge.
A raclNing pain in his forearm now at
tracted his attention. Glancing at himself,
he, for tho first time, became aware Of
his frightful condition.
Blood was streaming from various bruises
all over his body His clothing hung about
him in tatters. His forearm was broken
and his shoes cut 10 pieces.
There was no fresh water at hand.
''Salt water is better than no water at all.
I'll wash my wounds in that at--sting
though they may" quoth he, grimly shut
ting his lips.
The dying bird flutterod again.
With glance Of rage at il and an oath,
Fairfax stumbled to the head Of the cove
and, tearing OF a fragment Of his clothing,
oh e.. 1.
when no chanccd 20 look out into tho
deeper water beyond.
Uttering a cry of horror no at FIRST re-
coiled, hut, quickly recovering himself,
sprang into the sea and swan out with
strokes vigorous as broken arm and
MANNED body would allow
Was it Natalie who lay there so quietly
and peacefully on the hoaving water, her
long, dark curling tresse3 streaming out far
behind her in the cool, translucent wave, her
pure, upturned face cleaning like marble in
the moonbcams and her whitc-robcd,
shapely form rising and falling on the long
sca-swelli
Not daring 20 look at the face, not daring
20 verify his horrible suspicion, Fairfax,
with the deep and labored breathing Of one
undergoing some terrible excitement, cx-
tended his wounded arm against her
figure and, striking out powerfully with his
other limbs, forced her 10 the shore.
Touching terra drmd, he lifted her bodily
and, staggering wOefully beneath the
burden, almost fell forward upon the rocks,
slippery with sea-wccd.
Then, for the first time, he found courage
10 glance at her face.
She was past rowling, quito dead, and
ste iod, not the Prineessl
Fairfax breathed fervcnt "Thank God 20
and, Immediately, for the first end only
time In his life, fell In dead faint, beside
the drowned girl.
How long he lay there, no could not say
probably for three or four hours. The
strain upon his nerves and strength had
been something tremendous. Besides, he had
eaten nothing since breakfast.
When he regained consciousness, dawn
was family shining in the east.
Was II all q horrible dreami
No! there on the grass beside him, in
the sleep that knows no waking, lay the
figure Of tho dead maiden Acutest pains
shot through his arm, and his whole body
seemed mass OF aching bruises.
Faint and weak, he summoned all his
strength and courage and rose slowly 20 his
feet.
What was 20 be donei This was no time
for meping or for sentimental regrets. His
tired energies again must act.
Who was this girl, and what her hstoryi
How was she drowned, and why-hcre in
these remote coastsl
Scarcely more than nineteen she seemed
about the age Of his own Natalie. She
Looked like an Orient Princess. Beautiful
and classic as Greek marble, and almost
aS white.
Not wrinkle or q line showed In that
fair countenancc; not u frown, even. But,
quiet and serenoly peaceful, she slept.
81 am Of the house Of Caesar % broathed
forth from every curve and contour Of that
marvellous face end form 10 all who looked
upon her.
"And no Caesar was ever thine equal, or
ever shall be % fell spontaneously from the
lips Of the rayishod gazeF.
Crescent earrings were pendant 10 ex-
quisitely-shaped ears, and on her left hand
glittored a brilliant signet- ing OF rare and
antique shape, set with a stone Of wondrous
beauty and value a necklace Of costliest
pearls, arranged In Il manner severe In it's
oncircled tho polished throat, and,
hanging from this necklace, a jewcled locket
rested on her barred, ivory bosom.
Again he glanced at that curious, quaint
ring
Once, and only once before, had no seen
It's counterpart.
There arose before his backward-gazing
eyes the yisi0n OF pleasant little room in
nn old, low house az Tangiers; the grizzled,
weather-beaten captain Of his unclc's yes
sci sat in closest conference with noble
looking, gray-bearded Greek merchant
prince, whose whole life seemed bent on
money getting; above all, came the mem
ory Of that darlE-orbed, olive-bued little
daughter, with her bright, sweet, eager
facc, literally hanging upon every word
from his lips, watching his eyery motion
with those luslrous, melting eyes Of hers,
forestalling his oyory wish, her tireloss
foct troiting hithcr and thlther for cooling
fruits or drinks.
Again no heard her earnest voice striv-
nag 70 repeat aftor him those long, un-
Wiaidy English words. Again he guided
hor small fingers, while they shaped the
surviving letters Of his mothor-tongue He
saw, once more, her grateful eye and the |
bright flush Of pleasure when ho praised |
some successful effort then her look OF |
ihnme aud modification, as no laughed |
5opd -natnredly At some blunder, tho re-
iuli Of labored, well meant endoayora.
Ne recalled the sudden tear, the doaihly
pallor Of her face and upon his car smote
ler sob Of despair, when the rough old cap /
ain entered and announced hi5 departure /
" ne morrow, adding
''1riins. my lad, you must leave yourilt-
10 olIui Nlau MA oIIffn1 VniIr tllnlQ 1