Page:The Prairie Flower; Or, Adventures In the Far West.djvu/130



THE PRAIRIE FLOWER.

families removed, Teddy and I taking up our abode in that appropriated to Mrs. Huntly.

Although without any effects save such as had been brought with them, and short of provisions also, yet, by one means and another, all managed to get through the winter as comfortably as could be expect ed; and instead of preparing to return, spring found the majority of the new set tlers entering lands, determined on making this their future residence, be the conse quences what they might.

Some three or four, among whom was Madame Mortimer and her daughter, were still disaffected, and would gladly have re traced their steps; but they could not iind companions enough to make the journey safe, and therefore, against their will, were forced to remain.

Oregon City I found beautifully located on the eastern bank of the Willamette, and, from what I could judge, destined, at no very distant period, to become the great mart of the Far West. Here I re mained through the winter, and as it proved open and mild, employed my time in hunting and fishing, and conversing with the only being I truly loved. Had my friend been with me, I should have looked upon the place as a perfect paradise; but thoughts of him of what might be his fate would steal over me in my most joy ous moments, and cloud my brow with gloom. These singular changes were noted by Lilian and others with feelings of surprise, and frequently was I ques tioned by the former regarding them but I ever avoided a dirert answer.

Neither Lilian nor her mother knew the true cause of Charles Huntly's absence; and though I often meditated telling them, yet, when it came to the point, I ever shrunk from the painful task of making both wretched. He miglit be living, and the bare possibility of such a thing, I thought sufficient to justify me in keeping them in blissful ignorance of what I sup posed to be his real fate. Both fondly

anticipated seeing him the coming sum mer not doubting he Lad gone east, and that so soon as he should receive tidings of their locality, he would set out to join them. I had no such hopes but I dared not tell them so.

IT was a lovely day in the spring of 1843. On the banks of the romantic Willamette, under the shade of a large tree, J was seated. By my side with her sweet face averted and crimson with blushes, her right hand clasped in mine, her left unconsciously toying with a beau tiful flower, which failed to rival her own fair self sat Lilian Huntly. It was one of those peculiar moments which are dis tinctly refttembered through life. I had just offered her my hand and fortune, and was waiting, with all the trembling impa tience of a lover, to hear the result.

"Say, Lilian sweet Lilian! will you be mine?"

Her lily hand trembled I felt its vel vet-like pressure but her tongue had lost the power of utterance. It was enough; and the next moment she was- strained to my heart, with a joy too deep for words.

"And when sahll it be when shall my happiness be consummated, dear Lilian?" I at length ventured to ask.

For a time she did not reply; then rais ing her angelic face, and fastening her soft beaming eye, moist with tears of joy, upon mine, she said, in a low, sweet, trem ulous tone :

"On the day when we are all made glad by the presence of my brother."

"Alas!" groaned I, mentally, " that day may never come!"

THE fate of Charles Hi- tly of th* mysterious Prairie Flower *id others will be found in " LENI LEOTI OR, AD VENTURES IN THE FAR WES* - -A TO PRAIRIEFLOWER."