Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-05-03
CHAPTER Xix.

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eodiy.
''WhiteC Cloud 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-I.iftcr worthy of
the confidence of Starlight and White
Cloudf' replied the chief. in tone of
mild reproach.
''Otter-Liftcr of the red race of the
Cherokees is humane; but this captive
was not taken by war party of his,
and he might have feared to offend the
young warriors who brought her away
from 1iarrodsburg." 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 Oh women and
children? Not person living.' said
the chief, with dignity
Then why does such gentlc-hca ed
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 well as Il tongue
to tak?" exclaimed Starlight.
THE speech of Starlight is bitter:
she wounds the heart Of the chieftain
who II ready to die in her SERVICE re-
turned Otter-I.ifter. mournfuly.
Fanny iIarrod recovered her con
sciousnesS, 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
haf In In f.. 10
her fate. There was II short period in
which no words were spoken. The cap
tive read no emotions of pity in the
features of the chief
He gave back her appealing look with
one apparently as impassive as hers had
been earnest. A faint smile at length
played over his lips: he spoke. and
Fanny IIarrod and RosaliIte bent for.
ward to catch his words with breathless
attention.
''Thc rale-I.ily has been condemned to
death by the ordeal of fire. but she sha III
live" said Otter-I.ifter.
1T is we'll" answered Starlight, loft
lily.
"She shall live" repeated the chief,
"even il 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-I.ifter.
The latter moved on. and the three
maidens followed him without qucs.
ton. Leaving the little village. he led
the way to the deep and dark forest,
through the umbrage Of which the pale
I;,yI,t
ped at length few hundred yards from
the eucampment.
Stay here" he said "till return"
and immediately left them.
ROsalthe was now about To reveal
herself to Mis- Harrod. but Starlight
sternly babe her be silent.
"If you would save her. be silent"
she said.
The time Of Otter-I .ifters absence
seemed long indeed to the cxpcctant
captive. A thousand fears aud 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 t" save her. and innumrrable
other fanrics 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 n cry of
surprise and alarm; for, instead of see.
ing Otter-Iifter, they beheld half doz
On warriors mounted upon horses Star
light remained calm and nndsturhed.
peace! peace. foolish maidens! Otter.
LITTER is with them" she exclaimed.
Rosalthe looked again MT the advanc.
ing Indians, and behell the chief in tho
midst Of them. leading horse She
kissed Miss Harrod's pale cheeks, and
wept for joy. Without speaking Otter.
LITTER placed Miss Uarrod upon the ami.
NAL which had been provided for that
purpose. The chief then turned to the
young men.
conduct this maiden to Harrods-
hurgh." he said, In vonce of command.
"Otter-Iiftcr 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 bcfall her."
Come here. Starlight" said Fanny.
In a subdued voice. The proud Indian
girl stepped to her side. and Miss IIar.
rod. bending forward. imprinted n kiss
upon her lofty forehead. 1T is all can
give you," she added.
Starlight smiled family. and seemed
to look lovingly at the young girl. For
moment her naughty beauty was
softened into a midncss almost angelic.
at is well that you have been called
Starlight, for l behold reflected from
your starry eyes serene,t rays of
mercy and TRUTH" said Miss Harrod.
enthusiastically.
Wassahauza gazed more fxedly at
Fanny, and her expression became more
benignly softened.
Otter-Lifter gazed at her with a kind
Of mute idolatry disccrnible 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 Harrod's hand.
When the latter stopped to kiss her fore
head, she halfformed the resolution to
whisper his name; but single glance
at the changed and gentle expression of
Starlight made her reject the idea 1;
and in an Instant Fanny and her escort
were moving toward Harrodsbnrgs.
Rosalthe threw her arms about Star
Light and embrac ed her tenderly; all
her unfavorable impressions were COM