The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-03-31

repleQ the lndlan girl, cdreleSSIy.
But not the Starlight that is more
pleasant to Otter-Lifter than the bright
ness of day." returned the Indian.
''The bold chief of the Cherokees will
make me sad" said Starlight.
HE would not willingly darken the
rays of joy that should continually
stream up from your heart, and beam
from your eyes," rejoined Otter-Lifter.
You have not noticed our sister; she
comes from our cousins, the Wyandots
She is called White Cloud"
''The daughters of the Wyandots are
comely," returned Otter-Lifter, giving
Rosalthe a searching glance. white
Cloud is welcome; she looks like the sis
ter of Starlight"
"Otter-Lifter has sharp eyes" retort-
ed Starlight, coldly.
MAY no cloud larger than that ever
come between Otter-Lifter and Star
Light" replied the chief. pointing to
Rosalthe
'AThe Cherokee chief is making love to
my cousinw exclaimed the Indian girl
with warmth.
Otter-Lifter turned away with a smile,
and the maidens passed on to the lodge
near the center of the village. The lodge
was a large one, divided into two COM
partments by buffalo skins suspended
from the top, and secured at the bottom
by sticks driven into the earth. In one
place skin was left to serve the pur-
pose of door. and through which Star
Light conducted her captive.
''This is my fathers lodge" said the
Indian girl. "He is one of the chiefs,
and Is called Gitshewa, or Strong Voice,
because his shout is so terrible in battle.
Being noted man, his lodge is double,
as you see, and this part belongs to me
and Monon. Monon is my sister,"
The person last mentioned was seated
on a mat near the fire; and when Star
Light mentioned her name, she arose
and regarded Rosalthe with as much
curiosity as was in keeping with Indian
stocism, and possibly, little more.
"'Tis White-Cloud," said Starlight.
Rosalthe seated herself on mat, and
examined Monon more particularly. She
was younger than her sister, and bore
a striking resemblance to her. She was
fair, but her beauty was Of a gentler
cast than Star-Light's; and our heroine
took courage from the fact, and hoped
she would be able to win her friendship.
The three maidens being seated before
the fire, did little else, for a time, than
to throw furtive glances at each other.
Presently Starlight and her sister
began to converse in the Indian tongue,
and being somewhat familiar with the
language, Rosalthe soon perceived that
they were talking about a white captive
that one Of their war parties of young
men had taken at Harrodsburg. This
riveted her attention, and she listened
with breathless interest to all that was
said. Her sympathies were more COM
pletely enlisted in the subject when she
heard the prisoner was a young girl,
and already condemned to death.
Rosalthe could control her feelings no
longer. She asked why Otter-Lifter, be-
ing humane chief, permitted such cru
elites, to which Starlight replied that
he had nothing to do with the matter,
the captive having been taken by a
party of young braves. and to retaliate
on the settlers at Harrodsburg for the
loss of one of their number.
"But has not Otter-Lifter or your
father power to save the poor girl7' in
Quired Rosalthe.
Starlight made no answer, but look
ed steadily at the fire.
''Did not the Great Spirit intend that
the pale and red faces should be perpet-
ually enemiesT' asked Monon.
"No; it is His will that all men should
be brethren. and dwell together In friend
ship" replied KosaIthe.
"That would be best, it seems to me !;
- - Al
Spirit it would have been so; for his
power is greater than mans" answered
Monon.
''The fate of that unhappy young
woman makes me miserable" exclaimed
our heroine, and lying down upon the
couch of buffalo skins that had been
spread for her. she vainly endeavored to
rest. The imperfect slumbers that Wis
tied her at periods were disturbed by
dreamy vagaries. 1t was about mid
night when she felt touch upon her
arm. She opened her eyes with a start,
and beheld Starlight beside her.
IF you would see the white captive,
arise and follow me-" said. the Indian
girl.
Rosalthe lost no time in obeying; she
arose and followed her from the lodge,
while Monon remained sitting by the
FIRE. Without word being uttered by
either party, they approached the spot
where the unfortunate captive was wait
ing the execution of the sentence which
had been pronounced upon her by her
judges.
Two warriors lay extended upon the
ground near the door of the lodge, who
appeared to be sleeping soundly. Star
Light paused, evidently somewhat sur
prised at what she beheld.
1.-The Great Spirit favors u.s." she said
In low voice. 'The warriors are full
of firewater-they are drunken"
Starlight passed on, stepping lightly
within a few inches of the unconscious
watchers.
/ Making a gesture for Rosalthe to Inn
itate her example, she glided into the
lodge The prisoner was sitting near
smoldering fire, her hands and feet tight
II bound with thongs of deer skin. She
looked up with an exclamation of aston
fshment The instant that Rosalthe
caught glimpse Of the sorrowful face
that was turned toward her, she sprane
forward and embraced the doomed maid
en-, exclaiming, Fanny Harrodg'
The captive uttered no words Of rec
ognition, but gazed at Rosalthe in mute
surprise.
"Minno MOnedoTs said Star-TJrh+ IN