Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-01-13
CHAPTER ~.

MANY years ago" the story ran,
e@when Indians were thicker here than
trees are now, and the trees were thicker
than the Indians. there lived among them
a beautiful maiien, the daughter OF a
great chief"
"Of courser put in irreverent Maggie.
But without needing her, Vance went on:
-She was the star OF her fathers
lodge, the light OF her people, beloved and
happy as the day is long. At last there
came white man to the tribe who pro-
fessed to love La yuma, and won her
love in return. He gave her costly gifts,
iecked her with jewels, and wandered all
day upon the banks OF the river with
her. She never doubted his truth, and
believed every word when he promised TO
gorsake his own pale-faced nation for
ever adopt hers, and make her his bride. .
and then he didn't do it, said Mag
gle
Sorry to say ne didn't. He left her to
return 70 his people. promising speedily
Ito return and take La-yu-na to his own
wigwam. But he never came back. The
cheftain's daughter waited long and pa
tieatly. sighfag AMI pining, hoping in
vain for the return Of her false lover
But no token OF remembrance ever reach
ed her. So at last La-yu-na gave it up,
and her heart broke She 'ressed her
self in her richest robes, detked herself
with all the jeweiry he had given her,
walked oat TO the edge of the cliff yon-
der. sung her death-song. and with one
long. wild cry, leaped over the cliff, and
sunk forever in the whirling waters.
(which 10 this day are said to be haunted
by the spirit Of the Iadian girl,"
There was A moments silence when
Vance ceased speaking. Then some one
said, Look at Myra Lesliel"
They sll turned toward Myra. who sat
still, pale as death her great blue eyes
gazing fixedly. mourufuIly out over. the
leaping water. with strange expression
on her face,
why, Myra. child did ! Brighten
your" asked Vance. kindly
Slowly Myra drew her gaze from the
waters, and. with long-drawn. shiver-
ing breath said:
'No-but--I seem 70 see that poor
girl. plain! I felt for moment as II it
were myself Ughg' with a cold shud-
der, don't ever let me g. near that hor-
rid cliff! But how she must have loved
him! Ugh.T with ane Their shudder ''it
What an unfortunate girln'
''Myra, den't be fanciful," cried Mag
gle Say. rather, what great fool she
was. Like TO see myself jumping of
there for any man.
More likely you would drive a man to
jump ever himself" said Lionel Ed
wards. at her elbow.
Maggie aasl ed her black eyes full upon
him and answered;
.'I'd be mighty sure not to hinder aim,
IL be was fool enough to try it,
afr. Lionel had not been overly pleas
ed with Miss Maggie Of late. She was
reahy u true, honest-hearted girl. but
there was a small spice Of {, quetry in
her whimsical nature. which sometimes
led her into trouble, She liked nothing
better than TO be surrounded by a bevy
OF beaux, dispensing her smiles and IA.
vors to all OF them alike
But this did not suit Lionel Mt all
Particularly did he think she allowed Mr.
lie Dru 10 absorb too much Of her atten-
ton, and he was beginning to consider
1t was high time 10 interfere.
But that last speech, NJ Msggie's
prompt answer had proved. was not the
wisest one he could have made just
then. To make matters worse, he asked
with an angry fash Of his gray eyes
Would you like me to ~ itF'
Maggie returned him quite rs angry s
yiaace from her black ones and answer
ed, hsughtily:
Just as you choose, What you dc
Is a matter Of utter Indifference to me-.
Lionel flushed deep scarlet and walk
Cd away without another word. Mag
giles heart beat fast. She did love Lilo
mel, and feared she had gone little To,
far this time. But she was too proud
20 show Il. and not seeming 70 not :,
which way lionel Went, she uurneu Il
address NJ lie Dru again
Louis, toe, had dissPpears1- He haC