St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-10-08

his heart beating violently meantime
partly from fear Of the sudden approach
Of his uuhnown enemy and partly from
his eagerness to zee moro nearly thu
charming face that had captivated hi
fancy.
Suddenly. with last hurried glance
over his shoulder. he flung the door
aside and bent his plumed head 70 the
low opening. His eyes fell instantly
upon tho woman, seated on . buffalo
robe and embroidering . moccasin.
She lifted her eyes 1t his unexpected
entrance and greeted him with charm.
ing smile, which greatly Increased his
confusion. ''Surely," he thought. this
b IN elk or deer In woman shape, OF
else one Of the fairy sisters. Any NOR
tai woman would scream 1t the sudden
appearance Of . stranger. while alone
and unprotected In her lodge"
who are your" he exclaimed, q last
"Are you Dakots?"
The girl smiled again and shook her
head.
"Where 10 your husbaud?" he asked.
She told him in the sign language
that she understood not the Sioux
tongue; that she was with her younger
brother, who will soon return from his
days hunt. She also informed him
that she was The daughter Of . power.
full chief. whose village was several
days journey to the north, and that on
the third morning they would return
thither.
After promising to come again. when
the brother was 1t home, the young
warrior took his leave. with . llnger.
ing look behind him. which sufficiently
announced to the girl the impression
she had made.
He now resumed his watch from BE-
hind the tuft Of sagebrush. and ~ the
sum was near setting . rider appeared
In sight - . moving speck ON the hori-
ION. In . few minutes . handsome
young man rode up to the lodge and
dismounted from his pony. His sister
Immediately came out 70 meet him. re-
leased the body Of the young doe from
his saddle-bow, removed saddle aud
bride and watered and picxeted the
pony. She then followed her brother
into the tent, from which thin trail Of
smoke soon issued and lost itself In the
blue air.
After they had supped the pair reap
peared and seated themselves 70 enjoy
the sunset and the cool Of evening.
They held IN animated conversation,
accompanied By the most expressive
gestures, all Of which were closely OBJ
served BY the unseen watcher. who
~, la ~ h. -
ing 10 her brother concerning her mys-
FERROUS visitor.
The night passed without incident.
and the young Sioux watched the
Blaclfoot depart in the morning be-
fore presenting himself at the lodge Of
his beloved. She smiled srchly Is she
saw him. and ceased her embroidery
long enough to ask in the sign lam
guage: ''Why did yoa not come - you
promised before my brother left7"
Tho artful youth responded with an
other question: ''Why did you not tell
your brother Of my visit yesterday?'
Upon this both laughed aloud and con-
tinued to converse with moro freedom.
The maiden exhibited her finely
worked robcs and other Possessions,
while she eoyly took note meanwhile
Of the brilliant paint. unusual equip
ments and handsome face and form Of
the fascinating stranger.
Pointing to his gun, which was al
ways within reach, she questioned him
~ to its use. Smiling at her ignor-
ance he made signs expressive Of its
death-dealinR force. but she looked
aside incredulously. Finally the youth
boldly asked the maiden to become his
wife and to accompany him home. She
appeared to consent, but stipulated
that be should first return with them
70 her fathers lodge. To test her low
sr's faith she proposed also 70 conceal
him inoa ,larRs par Aeehs (rawhide
txuBi) there to await her brothers re-
turn. Although tho young warrior
fully realized that he was placing him
self in perilous and even humiliating
position, for loves sake he submitted
ono evening 70 be crowded into the
narrow spsee within one Of these
painted trunks, where he lay helpless
and unable 70 move. breathing through
. small opening which was turned to-
ward the outer circumference Of the
lodge.
The hunter returned It the usual hour
and was informed BY his sister that . |
strange young man Of smother tribe
had called aA the lodge. She described |
wildly his Ane appearance, splendid |
dresA and the strange weapon he car
ried, but omitted 70 mention his pro- |
posal Of marriage and his presence In |
the lodge. The concealed lover felt |
very uncomfortable - he listened TO |