The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1892-10-08

fancy.
Suddenly, with last hurried glanc'
over his shoulder, he flung the dool
aside and bent his plumed head to thu
low opening. His eyes fell instantly
upon the woman, seated on buffalo
robe and embroidcring moccasin.
She lifted her eyes at his unexpected
entrance and greeted him with charm
ing smile, which greatly increased his
confusion. Surely" he thought, this
Is an elk or deer in woman shape, OF
else one of the fairy sisters. Any NOR
tai woman would scream at the sudden
appearance of stranger, while alone
and unprotected in her lodge"
"Who are you?" he exclaimed atlask
Are you Dakots?"
The girl smiled again and shook her
head
"Where is your husband?" 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 at 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 as the
sun was near setting a rider appeared
in sight as moving speck on the hori-
zon. In q few minutes . handsome
young man rode up to the lodge and
dismounted from his pony. His sister
Immediately came out to meet him, re-
leased the body Of the young doe from
his saddle-bow, removed saddle and
bride and watered and picketed 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 to enjoy
the sunset and the cool of evening.
They held an animated conversation,
accompanied by the most expressive
gestures, all of which were closely OBJ
served by the unseen watcher, who
concluded that the girl had said moth
ing to her brother concerning her mys-
FERROUS visitor.
The night passed without incident,
and the young Sioux watched tho
Blaokfoot depart in the morning be-
fore presenting himself 1t the lodge Of
his beloved. She smiled arcl,ly as she
saw him, and ceased her embroidery
long enough to ask in the sign lam
guage: why did you not come rs you
promised before my brother left?"
The 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 more freedom. /
The maiden exhibited her finely |
worked robes 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
rs to its use. Smiling at her ignor-
ance he made signs expressive of its
force, but she looked
aside incredulously. Finally the youth
boldly asked tho maiden to become his
wife and to accompany him home. She
appeared to consent, but stipulated
that he should first return with them
10 her fathers lodge. To test her low
sr's faith she proposed also to conceal
him in a large par heche (rawhide
trunk). there to await her brothers re-
turn. Although the young warrior
FULLY realized that he was placing him
self in perilous and even humiliating
position, for loves sake he submitted
,ne evening to be crowded into the
narrow space within one of these
painted trunks, where he lay helpless
md unable to move, breathing through
) small opening which was turned to-
ward the outer circumference of the
odge.
The hunter returned at the usual hour
ind was informed by his sister that
strange young man of another tribe
lad called at the lodge. She described
'ividly his fine appearance, splendid |,
lress, and the strange weapon he car
led, but omitted to mention his pro-
'osal of marriage and his presence in
he lodge. The concealed lover felt
cry uncomfortable - he listened to