Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-07

by the seashore. The murmuring water
caressed her tiny feet and cooled them;
they had burned and sInarted in their
rapid flight over the hard ground, for the
princess no longer had pretty sandals.
On the smooth surface Of the water she
saw herself reflected. Il am pretty; am
cazque's daughter; viii not be slave
to the white people, she muttered to her
self.
Looking around and seeing many lovely
flowers blooming not far eff, she went TO
pluck some of the brightest. These she
twined into her flowing hair and again
went to the water to look at herself. The
lovely reflection brought a smile TO her
lips. Alone with nature she felt happy
for & moment.
Hark! she hears footsteps approaching.
The man who dares to call himself her
master Is rapidly coming toward the place
where she stands. Menona is trans
formed the smile vanishes, her heart IS
full of passionate anger Ter pursuer
draws near. She turns to face him, eyes
flashing, bosom heaving. Clinching her
small hands defiantly she demanded: ''Do
you come to whip me|
He is close TO her now and he smiles,
answering her in low, soft tones when she
repeats her question: ''Oh, no, l would
pot hurt The pretty Menona. foS l Iowa
her." at the same moment kissing her
smooth cheek. 1t seems to burn her!
Turning as if stung by g viper, she Lifts
her hand and smites her tormentOr' 5 face
He only laughs 4 hooking laugh and
would fold her in his arms; but great
dread and lOathing springs into the heart
of tie maiden. One flash of thought and
she filings herself into the liquid mirror
that a minute ago reflected her lovely
features.
Dark seaweeds mingle with the dead
flowers clinging to the long tresses that
those cold fingers will never again wreathe
with blossoms. Down in the deep water,
out of sight, Menona has fallen asleep,
and she slumbers long.
BY and by she aWakes, and the flowers
in her hair are not dead ones. But the
butterfly, escaped from the chrysalis, does
not at once realize the change
hat is it that strikes upon her quick
ening senses? Does she hear the waiting
of child? All the baby, the helpless
little creature. She will go To it, even
though she must again enter the home Of
the cruel people who robbed her and
brought her to foreign shores.
The baby was crying. MenOna, moved
by tenderest pity. put her arms about it.
No one took any notice of her. nor did
they ask her to work. She thought is
strange. They did not speak to her or
offer her food to eat That mattered not.
for she felt no pangs of hunger. To and
fro she fitted. free as the air, while the
days glided by leaving no WEAKNESS cling
ing to Memorials feet She loved the white
baby now When its piteous cries broke
upon the stiffness Of the night she would
lull it to sleep, singing sweet melodies
soft and low.
Then the color fed from the cheeks of
father and mother they were afraid, and
in awe struck whispers murmured the
name of Menona. She could not under
stand why they did not like to see her.
Had they not brought her there? Many
night she rocked the babe i'll her arms
and it was happy, But the young
mother grew thin and pale, and the brave
soldiers hair was turning white, because
they saw Menona there. Though they
never spoke TO her she always smiled at
them. and wondered what made them
look so wan.
BY and by the baby began to droop.
MenOna would fain have made it well, but
could only soothe it with her plaintiye lul-
LADY. For few days..the little life flick
cred, then went out. The frail blossom
closed its petals when the moon was she'd
ding its silvery light upon the ripping
waters that had sheltered the Flower
Princess. She, with her finger tips, lightly
touched the fiuttering eyelds, the white
curtains Of those tender blue 'Eghts,"
forever shutting ont the look of pain; and
the baby, smiling, futtered from its coil
of clay into Memorials arms.
The grief stricken parents wrung their
hands and. noaned: ''Menona ha taken
our child" but it was not so, had
only received it.
Soon the bereaved ones said that their
houe was haunted; they could live there
no longer. So the sad faced woman and
the man whose curly locks had become as
white as the driven snow, went far of 10
seek another place of abode. Then
lovely being. clothed in light and happi-
ness took Neuona by the hand and led
her away. saying: Come with me.
Thou shalt learn thy mission here; n
minister 70 those bowed dcyyn with grief,
To wipe away their tears, whispering words
OF comfort. They shall hear thee and
their hearts be hghtened Upward this
work VIII lead thee and angels guide thee
on ''-Ahce D. lie Plongeon in Home
Journal.