Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-04-19
CHAPTER \IN.

ed imploringly at OtterLifter, who stood
motonless in the path.
What would Starlight and her cous
In of the Wyandots do?' asked the chief,
coldly.
White 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-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 by war party of his
and he might have feared to offend the
young warriors who brought her away
from Harrodsburg." answered Star
Light.
"Wassahauza speaks of fear. When
was OtterLifter afraid? When did he
fail to raise his voice against cruelty!
Who can say that he ever tortured
prisoner. or made war on women and
children? Not person living" said
the chief, with dignity.
Thea why does such gentlehearted
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 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 Otter-Lifter, mournfully.
Fanny Harrod recovered her con-
seriousness. and stood cinging 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 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 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 Otter-Lifter.
II 10 wei. ans w tl Gu ioit-
lily.
She STALL live" repeated the chief,
"even if the sum of her freedom be the
life of OtterLifter. Yes, he will perish, |
before single hair of her head shall
be scathed by the devouring fire."
1T is enough" replied the Indian girl. |
This way" continued Otter-Lifter. !
The latter moved on, and the three |
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 |
with difficulty crept. He stop !
ped at length a few hundred yards from |
the 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 bade her be silent.
'If you would save her, be SILENT
she said.
The time Of Otter-Lifter's absence |
seemed long indeed to the cxpectant |
captive. A 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 innumerable
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
L ot4 ba iu1rr az 1aonSlv nttaraI O 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 maidens, Otter
Litter is with them" she exclaimed.
Rosalthe looked again at the advanc.
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-
hurgh," he said, in a vonce of command.
"Otter-L LITTER 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, Starlight" said Fanny.
in a subdued voice The proud Indian
girl stepped to her side. and Miss Har-
rod. bending forward, imprinted a kiss
upon her lofty forehead. at is all can
give you" she added.
Starlight smiled family, and seemed
70 look lovingly at the young girl. For
q moment her naughty beauty was
softened into mildness almost angelic.
at is well that you have been called
Starlight. for | behold reflected from
your starry eyes serenest rays of
mercy and truth said Miss Harrod,
enlhusia siIcally.
Wassahauza gazed more fxedly at
Fanny, and her expression became more
benignly softened.
Otter-Lifter gazed at her with kind
of mute idolatry discernible in his elo-
ouent 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 half-formed the resolution to
whisper his name: but single glance
at the 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
L.