The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1903-12-12
AN INDIAN ROMANCE.
By FLORA STEWART EMORY.

the fast fallen shadows, like phantoms
at play, hid completely the distant
hills and the river, from whose waters
misty fog was rising. Save for the
croaking of the frogs the world might
have been sleeping its last sleep.
Softly and cautiously Bright Eyes
lifted the flaps from her tent door,
exposing a pile of baskets woven in
gay colors. Her mattress lay un-
touched, the spotless white covering
enveloping it like shroud. On the
one next to hers an old woman with
weather beaten features was resting.
Brave, where are your" the girl
whispered.
Here, Bright Eyes" came the
low response, and from the bushes a
tall Indian lightly stepped.
The Indian maids heart was won
derfully happy. She was going to
her lover, and Brave was willing to
help her.
Through the open fields they ran
swiftly. Their feet, like canoes on
the old Delaware, skimming the air
seemingly without effort. Not
word was spoken for several miles.
Finally the short quick breath of his
companion warned Brave that her
strength was almost exhausted.
1--WE will rest now," he said softly.
''For short time only" Bright
Eyes answered. She would have fall
en- had not Brave caught her in his
arms. Her head rested in momen-
tary unconsciousness on his broad
shoulder, and the stole expression in
his gray-black eyes left them by
magic. He stroked her raven hair
with the tenderness of a woman.
SIS it much further?" she asked
wearily.
Five miles more" he answered,
lifting her to her feet.
The first faint light was breaking
through the east when the camp was
reached. The silent couple, footsore
and tired, went straight to Big Chiefs
tent. The old women were making
fires, and here and there half naked
children were gathering sticks.
Big Chief was up and sitting in his
tent door. With a bound Bright
Eyes was at his side, her arms around
his thick, massive neck.
''My own - she cried joyfully.
"I have brought her to you,"
Brave said slowly. "Since you bound
her with your power at Equataba
Brook she loves me not. Your image
is ever before her and she sees you
in the shiny rivers. Our people
hate you yet. I have brought her."
The Chiefs brow clouded but he
held the little brown hand tight with
in his own.
81 like your maiden," he replied,
"she is fair as Morning Light S white
girl. She shall stay with us and my
women will wait upon her and braid
her hair. We will call her Sun
Beam"
A puzzled look crept in the girls
eyes. "Big Chief must have no
other women if I am his" she said.
"Big Chief swore he would give them
up if I, Bright Eyes, would love him.
He listened while I read to him from
the Great Book"
Big Chief laughed. "You go to
Mission schools. No Mission woman
for Big Chief"
Bright Eyes drew back nearer and
nearer to Brave.
"Big Chief will do we'll to remem-
Der his vows to Bright Eyes" Brave
said. "He shall not taunt her."
Big Chief shrugged his shoulders.
II remember not what she says. The
maids love are many. AT Equitaba
Brook you say it wasp
"Does Big Chief forget so soon 7"
the girl cried. "The evenings were
golden with our love-" As she spoke
a deep crimson suffused her bare neck
and arms.
''You talk like white women too
much Mission," he said, turning to
her companion. "Why not take her
yourself, Brave?'
Back. over the rough fields Brave
and Bright Eyes slowly went. Their
hearts were heavy and weighed down
their feet like lead. They reached
the Mission at nightfall and the camp
was two miles beyond. Bright Eyes
faltered, then fell in a heap at the
Mission door.
II love you r. the Indian ex-
claimed.
"You are good to me-" she an
swered, so low he had to stoop to
catch the words.
II want always to be good to you,
Bright Eyes" he said. "Big Chief
understands not your love. Let me
protect you. / will be patient, I can
wait for your love-" he pleaded.
Like the sun bursting through a
rain cloud Bright Eyes smiled.
Brave, I do love you, have always
loved you." She crept into his arms
and kissed his smooth brow.
You do not Scorn me?" she asked,
trembling.
His arm supporting her, Brave took
her inside the Mission. Father Dean
will marry u.s." he whispered. Then
he went out.
Dropping on her knees, Bright
Eyes prayed. "Merciful Father,
God of the Reds, who loves His chill
dren, even the erring ones, I thank
Thee for the love of Brave. Make us
pure and righteous in Thy sight"
Amen" said the minister of God,
and he laid his hands in blessings on
them.