Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-02-01
CHAPTER XIX.


RosaIthe clasped her hands and look
ed imploringly at Otter-Lifter, who stood
motionless in the path.
What would Starlight and her cous-
in of the Wyandots do:" asked the chief,
coIdly.
''White-CIoud and the maiden they
call Starlight do not like cruelty; they
seek to save this pale captive from
DEATH" replied Wassahauza.
"And was not Otter-Lifter worthy OF
the confidence Of Starlight and White
Cloud?' replied the chief, in tone OF
mild reproach.
"Otter-Lifter Of the red race of the
Cherokees is humane. but this captive
was not taken br war party OF his,
and he might he re feared to offend the
young warriors who brought her away
from Harrodsburg," answered Star
Light
"Wassahauza speaks Of fear. When
was Otter-Lifter afraid? When did he
fail to raise his voice against cruelty
Who can say that he ever tortured a
prisoner, or made war on women and
children? Not a person living" said
the chief, with dignity.
Then why does such a gentle-hearted
leader stand still when his help is need
ed? Does he not see this trembling
girl suffering the terrors Of death? Has
he not hand to use as we'll as a tongue
to TALK" exclaimed Starlight
"The speech Of Starlight is bitter;
she wounds the heart of the chieftain
who is ready to die in her service" re-
turned OtterLifter, mournfully.
seriousness, and stood clinging to Star
Light and our heroine. She fixed her
burning eyes on the placid face of Otter
LITTER in silent agony of spirit; for she
felt that it was he who was to decide
her fate. There was a short period in
which no words were spoken. The cap
tive read no emotions Of pity III the
features of the chief
He gave back her appealing look with
one apparently as impassive rs hers had
been earnest. \ faint smile Mt length
played over his lips he spoke, and
Fanny Harrod and Rosalthe bent for
ward to catch his words with breathless
attention.
The Pale-Lily has been condemned to
death by the ordeal of fire, but she shall
live" said Ottcr-Lifter.
1T is WELL" answered Starlight, loft
lily.
'She shall live" repeated the chief,
seven ii the sum of her freedom be the
life of Otter-Lifter. Yes, he will perish.
before a single hair of her head shall
be scathed by the devouring fire..
ut is enough" replied the Indian girl.
This way" continued Otter-Lifter.
Ia Il, Al,
maidens followed him without a ques-
ton Leaving the little village, he led
the way to the deep and dark forest,
through the umbrage Of which the pale
moonlight with difficulty crept. He stop
ped at length a few hundred yards from
tie encampment.
Stay here" he said, "till l return, -
and Immediately left them.
Rosalthe was now about to reveal
herself to Mis- Harrod, but Starlight
sternly ba e her be silent
IF you would save her, be SILENT
she said.
The tire of Otter-Lifter's absence
seemed lolg indeed to the expectant
captive. \ thousand fears and wild con
lectures had birth in her mind. Per
haps the chief had been detected in his
purpose, and the plan had failed 1t
was possible that he had not sufficient
influence among the other chiefs and
warriors to save her, and iunumerable
other fancies Of this kind passed in
quick succession through her mind to
revive her terrors.
After the lapse of half an hour steps
were heard approaching. Fanny and
Rosalthe simultaneously uttered a cry of
surprise and alarm for, instead of see
ing Otter-Lifter, they beheld half a doz-
en- warriors mounted upon horses. Star
light remained calm and undisturbed.
Peace. peace. foolish madens! Otter
LITTER is with them" she exclaimed.
Rosalthe looked again at the adyanc.
Ing Indians, and beheld the chief in the
midst of them, leading a horse. She
kissed Miss Harrod's pale cheeks. and
wept for joy. Without speaking. Otter.
LITTER placed Miss Harrod upon the ami.
NAL which had been provided for that
purpose. The chief then turned to the
young men.
Conduct this maiden to Harrods-
burgh," he said, in yonce of command.
"Otter-Lifter has pledged his word that
she shall live and return to her friends,
Go; and remember that your lives shah
answer for hers if harm befall her"
Come here, Star Light" said Fanny
in subdued voice. The proud Indian
girl stepped to her side, and Miss Har-
rod, bending forward, imprinted kiss
upon her lofty forehead. 1T is all can
give YOU" she added
Starlight smiled family, and seemed
IN loo ',x-i-,r rlx- 81
a moment her naughty beauty was
sottened into mildness almost angelic.
1t is we'll that you have been called
Starlight. for behold reflected from
your starry eyes serenest rays of
mercy and truth" said Miss Harrod
enthusiastically.
Wassahauza gazed more ixedly at
Fanny, and her expression became moro
benignly softened.
Otter-Lifter gaZed at her with a kind
of mute idolatry discernible in his elo-
quent eyes, and then turned abruptly
from the scene, as if afraid to trust him
self longer.
Starlight moved softly away. and
Rosalthe took Miss Hawods hand.
When the latter stopped to kiss her fore
head. she half-formed the resolution to
whisper his name; but single glance
Mt lne changed and gentle expression of
Starlight made her reject the idea
and in an instant Fanny and her escort
were moving toward Harrodsburgs
Rosalthe threw her arms about Star
Light and embraced her tenderly; all
her unfavorable impressions were com
pletely removed by the recent scene
This spontaneous act of friendship the
Cherokee maiden neither repealed nor
encouraged, but suffered it as Il statue
of marble might receive the same indi
cations of gratitude. The parties re
burned to the village Otter-I.ifter lead
ing the way in silence
CHAPTER M
1t was on the ensuing morning that
Starlight visited the lodge where tn,
interview already mentioned took place
between her and Allan Norwood.
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