The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
dark day upon the street. when, a q
child. I looked up and saw you bending
ovor mo y
RErRlBurloN.
over me-"

Rev. John Forester was killed b,
lightning on the grave OF the girl h
had wronged. She was beautiful
Blanche Brooke, the queen Of tn
Arapahoe tribe, n the belle of tn
village OF Sacred Heart, Okla, wher,
she lived.
She could not marry the man sh'
loved. A dagger thrust stilled the pail
In her heart.
Her lover was IN ordained minister
He preached her fuseral ermon A few
weeks later his lifeless form was found
upon her grave. While visiting the spo
by stealth. and praying there in the
dark hours between midnight and dawr
he was slain by a sudden shaft Of light
ming during the fury of q thunder
storm.
Blanche Brooke had the blood OF the
Arapahoe Indians In her veins. She
vas the daughter of Ulatoa, a quar-.
ter-blood, chief Of the tribe in Okla.
homa Territory.
A sixteenth part Arapahoe, Blanche
was the more beautiful for the trace OF
savage ancestry which was family dis
cernible in her glossy black hair and
gloriously black eyes. Her skin was
that Of a brunette, clear almost to
transparency. Her figure was slightly
above the medium height and perfect
in its symmetry.
But not only was Blanche Brooke
fair to look upon. She had all the
charm of a highly cultivated woman.
At the age of IA she nae been sent
away to Carlisle, Pa. to the Indian
schools there. Remaining for five years,
and applying herself with diligence to
her studies, she graduated with honors
as a student. Her accomplishments
were many.
Blanche Brooke returned to her home
and her people with the grace Of a re-
fined. intelligent and fascinating young
womanhood. She at once became the
acknowledged queen Of her tribe.
While she was in the East there came
to the village Of Sacred Heart a hand
some young minister Of the gospel. His
name was John Forester. He was 26
years old and earnestly devoted to &C.
clesiastical work. He brought to the
Indian agency Of the Arapahoes the
zeal Of a missionary who hoped to de-
vote his life to the saving of souls.
With his own hands he built a chapel
for worship. 1t was neither large nor
p%retentious, but 1t suf1ced.
A$foN 1}xyfrn %uyo voo~o 800 - A.
Arapahoes, the ministers had won their
friendship and confidence. His congre-
cation Included scores Of swarthy faces
while attentive ears listened to his
teachings Of the gospel. They were
%singularly moved by his magnetic
speech and forceful personality. The
white people regarded him with ad-
miration akin to alteration.
And then Blanche Brooke came home.
It was the most natural thing that
could have happened-the love at first
sight Of the chiefs beautiful daughter
and the handsome young minister. The
black eyes Of the girl sparkled as she
met the searching gray-blue eyes Of the
man beloved by her people.
Blanche Brooke, like unhappy Elaine.
had looked, and loved him with that
love which was her DOOM
The little white painted chapel on the
hill became more popular than ever
with the people. white-skinned and red
skinned, at Sacred Heart.
Blanche Brooke was an ardent work
er In church affairs. Her clear, cult
waited voice made delightful melody for
the congregation. Her supple fingers
drew music from the keys Of the organ
each Sabbath day. Hymns had never
before sounded 80 sweet to the young
pastor. Day by day their lives became
nor necessary to each others happi-
ness.
The weeks went by. then the months.
but no word Of love was spoken. With
loves unuttered language. though. each
had OWNED the others secret.
A year passed. The young people met
daily. Their admiration for each other
began to reveal itself In various little
ways. Their friends and neighbors gos-
siped pleasantly about a probable en-
gagement.
But the predictions Of the people did
not come true. No engagement was
announced. Time went on until an
other year had elapsed.
Everybody wondered, and whispered
their wonder. and sometimes the
whispers reached the ears Of those most
concerned-the principals in this ro-
nance which was to become q terrible
reality.
Blanche Brooke's yes no longer SPAR
killed.. Az the months slipped by their
wistfulness deepened into sadness. The
quietude which now marked the girls
every movement was noted by all. 80
sharply In contrast was It with her
former vivacity. She came and went
like q shadow, but said nothing. The
people Of the community gradually
grew impatient. They were not accus-
toned to mysteries. They questioned
each other and daubt began to replace
their confidence In the integrity OF the
tx. AL 49, ~