Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-03-30

! gentle eyes looked troubled. "'Do you
love the captain, dear lady"
How dare you ask such a quss-
tlon?" cried Helen Indignantly. "You
/ diSplease me greatly, Ayah."
Forgive me-" was all the woman
/ said. as kneeling. she put her fore
head TO the hem of her mistress
gown.
/ Helen's was a sympathetic and ten
der heart, and seeing the utter abase-
ment OF the Indian. She releuted,
and, putting her hand softly on the
Ayah's head, she said: II will hear
your little story"
1t was a vivid, glowing picture that
the candles in the queer twisted East
ern candle-sticks lighted up. Helen,
in her loose white wrap, was seated
before q mirror, her eyes fastened on
the woman's reflection; the latter had
arisen from the door, her plant form
Swaying to and fro as she brushed
her mistress hair;she looked like some
seeress about to utter q prophecy or
incarnation as she began her little
tale, speaking now In broken English
and now in Tamil. her native dialect.
"Ayah has in her heart great love
for her dear lady, a love like the
home-deep and strong. 1t is not an
easy thing for Ayah TO speak. but her
heart say, tell her love say speak
She know that missy like the captain
very much, and he loves you; but
while missy gives him her whole heart,
he can not give her his whole love.
for that is divided-part to missy and
part TO another"
Helen listened, a growing sense of
danger and apprehension that she
could not fathom making her dumb,
while the Ayah went on. her voice
taking a dreary monotone.
I'm Madras there is dark woman,
beautiful. but not like missy. One
day the captain sees this native and
she gives him a drink that she makes
from one herb. and it causes him to
love her"
A rigid grip seemd clutching at
Helen'S throat and heart She put her
land forth vaguely to tear il away.
She tried TO speak, but her tongue
was palsied, and the Indian divining
norhing, continued in her sing-song
minor tone.
The captain gives this Maya-for
that is her name-much money, silks
and jewels for her hair. But Maya
never loves him, and she only gets
his love by always sprinkling the pO-
ton about his house and in his wine.
When he is away from her he hates
himself. and her. and his heart is all
for missy but when he goes back to
Maya he win love her again"
Helen had drunk the bitter cup in
all its strength. for she could not
doubt a word OF the narrative Her
first great trouble had found her alone,
and she must meet il single handed
for what comfort could this poor child
OF darkness. with her mystical religion
bring to her?
Moments passed: the Ayah had
thrown herself prone on the floor.
Helen pale and shiyering gazed on the
PROSTATE figure as II II were something
polluted that had been cast at her
feet by some receding tide. she tried
to stand. but her sound young limbs
lacked power.
Then the distressed soul. whose love
was unquestioning seemed to feel 4
rather than TO see the sorrow she had
wrought and shutting to her feet she
took Helen Ike a babe in her arms
and laid her on Il couch, trying iuef-
fectually to soOthe by softly stroSing
her face and head. Finally, as a pal
liatiye she began 10 speak in an APP
peasing grooming voice, as one would
lull a child to rest.
Listen, dear missy, to what Ayah
tells: she knows one medicine man.
a native. from him she will get n
potion, and with it she will go to the
captains house, and the native but
Ter. who knows her well, will let her
I'm to see the house; then It is she will
~.
Then when the poor captain shall |
come home he sees Maya at once in
her true self. and he shall send her
from the house; then he come back to
missy, and his whole heart will be for |
her"
These words seemed to arouse Hell |
en- from her apathy.
"'StOp" she con handed sternly.
ooh, missy" said the Eastern wom-
an, meekly, but earnestly. II can not |
work the charm without your permits |
sion. Will dear missy cOnseht?"
"Oh;" answered Helen drearily. for |
she realized the utter lmpossiblIty Of |
reasoning with this child Of mystery. |
there is no need Of charms or pO- |
tions or my consent, for I do not love |
this man; and now you may go. But |
wait" as a sudden thought came to her |
mind, az wish to send a note to /
Captain Gartshore," and with tremb-
ling. cold fingers, that could scarcely |
do her will, she wrote these words
Captain Gartshore: / can not ride |
with you tomorrow. Helen Arundel"
go. now" said Helen. solemnly. |
her face like that Of some accusing |
spirit; Ego and pray to your God for
peace. Boston Transcript.