Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-04-19
THE WHITE LILY.
BY j. H. SPENCER.

On bright autumn afternoon, in the
early part of the eighteenth century,
young man hurried into q
small settlement on the banks
of the Mohawk River, and paused
breathless and nearly exhausted,
at the door of one of its log cabins.
He was fine specimen of our sturdy
early settlers-tall, broad-shouldered
and large-limbed. His handsome fea-
lures were of the Grecian type, and his
abundant curly hair and keen eyes
were black as midnight.
The owner of the cabin, large and
muscular man in the prime of life, who
was sitting at the door, looked up in as
constituent.
why, what is the matter with you.
Arthur Leighton?" he said. "You
seem"
THE Indiansp gasped the young
man. "They are on the warpath, and
coming to destroy this settlement.
They have already burned the settle
ment fifteen miles up the river, and
killed or taken captive the people. Sc
quesus their chief, was found dead in the
forest this morning, with bullet hole
through his head; and, out of revenge,
they intend to massacre the settlers"
How did you hear of this?" asked
the settler.
Il met Henri Nantes, the young
Frenchman who is in love with Seque-
sus' daughter, Nanita, while was hunt
ing in the forest. He was at the set
Element when it was attacked
by the Indians, but managed to make
his escape. He was fastening here to
warn this settlement. AS he was nearly
exhausted, left him and hurried on
ahead, that the people here might be
warned in time"
well, go into the cabin and rest
yourself will warn the people. Tell
Mary to get ready to move into the
blocE-house," said Hiram Kenton, the
sturdy settler, as he rose to his feet and
hurried away.
When Arthur Leighton entered the
cabin he found Mary Kenton, pale and
trembling, clinging to the rude table
for support.
Il heard what you and my husband
we're talking about" she said, "and,
Heaven help me! my Ruth-my only
child-is in the forestl"
In the forest!" exclaimed the young
man In CONSERVATION. "How long has
she been gomez"
"She and Nanita started about 10
o'clock this forenoon. They said they
were going to the falls, about two miles
up the river to gather nuts"
my God Ruth with Sequesus'
daughter-the sister of Washita who is
leading the Indians against the colon
ists And they are directly in the path
of the savages who are coming here"
"But Ninita hates her brother, and
would give her life Tor Ruth; AID, be-
sides, she could not have heard of the
death of her father, for she arrived here
little after sunrise"
The Indians are q treacherous race
and cannot be trusted. But 1 will save
Ruth if she has not already fallen into
the hands Of the savsges," said Arthur
Leighton, as he hurried from the cabin.
Ruth Kenton and Nanita had filled
their baskets with nuts, and were stand
ing in the shadows of the thick bushes
and outrageous branches that over
hung the rivers bank, amusing them
selves by finging pebbles into the
water, when, hearing a slight noise
behind them, they turned and found
themselves confronted by large party
of Indians in warpaint, with Washita at
their head. The savages. hearing the
voices of the two girls, had, after the
manner of the American Indians, crept
upon them.
The two girls formed beautiful and
striking contrast as they stood there
side by side-the dusky Nanita, with
her graceful form, clearly cut
and well-formed features, large, melt
ing black eyes, and abundant, glossy
black hair, which hung far below her
waist; and the dainty Ruth Kenton,
with her beautiful form and features,
her pink and white complexion, her
curling, golden hair and her tender
blue eyes.
UGH" said the young chief in
broken English. "Nsnita and white
Squaw come with Washita."
What right has Washita to COM
mand Nanita and the White Lily ?"
asked Nanita, haughtily.
A triumphant CLEAN shone In the
young chiefs eyes.
"Washita chief now he said. 'Se-
quesus was found killed this morning.
Nsnita have mind Washita now. She
shall give up white lover and become
the squaw Of one of Washita's braves.
Nanita made no reply to this. tsnnt-
ing speech, but her large, black eyes
blazed with indignation. It was evil
dent that there was little love between
the brother and sister.
She had received the news of her
fathers death with true Indian pride
and apparent Indifference; and had not
Ruth Kenton known of the Indian
trait of character, she would have
thought that Nanita was little affected
on hearing of her fathers death, and
would not have uttered the words OF
coincidence which she did, as the saw
ages led them away through the forest.
1t was nearly shutdown when the In
dams halted in dense thicket, near