Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-09-25

WHAT WAS IT Az ABOUT, DE BARzAC?'
fancy, and he declares that he will be
moro prudent in future
''Wnat was it all about, De Barzac?''
asked another.
Ibid the ogre want thee for his sup
per, or was he jealous of the interest
thou hast excited in the bosoms of the
fair ones who are ready to die for a
wounded hero if he be young and hand
some.''
you are all wrong" interjected an
other. ''Lemourier was mGitre de drmes
in past days, and he wished to give De
Barzac q lesson in fence gratis and to
keep himself in practice-that is all,
messeurs; the mystery is explained"
Major Chevreul drew the young man
aside.
BE on your guard, my friend" he
said imn:essively, "Lemourier dare not
attack you again, but he has agents,
secret and sure, among the Indians.
I suspect him of many dark deeds,
which, could they be brought to light,
would consign him to infamy, if not
to the executioner. My wife shares
my anxiety and babe me caution
you. Lemourier will march to-mor-
row with his force of militia and In
dams. Let not this lull you to q false
security. The hand that strikes again
will not be his
Marden's magnetic power of drawing
friends, though unconsciously eXerted,
was quite conspicuous tonight. lie was
q good singer, and at Ninon's request he
sang some French campaigning songs in
plausc, and one or two English songs
which were so pathetic that they brought
tears into tho eyes of those ladies who
understood the language. 1t was late
wbcn the company separated, and when
De Barzac approached to make his bow
to Mile. Destain, Marden remarked the
quick flush that rose to her pale cheek,
then faded slowly away.
What do you think of her?" asked
De Barzac, when they reached his quar-
tees.
"If you mean Mile. Destain, she is
charming. What broad, white fore
head she has; her eyes, how dreamy in
reposc, then flashing with enthusiasm;
ami that small, red mouth which smiles
SO bewitchingly, but never laughs.
What a volume of dark brown hair is
coiled up in that imperial crown, which
lends dignity to her noble stature. If,
as | suspect, she is your fiancee, you are
q most fortunate man."
"You have drawn her portrait WE'LL"
said De Barzac; but why do you think
She is my fiancee?'
because she never spoke of you, but
hey eyes followed wherever you went"
4 MI f0r ENrnntan-
&C the next day with Mlla Destain's let
ter in his pocket. He had not replied
to it nor sought another interview. He
was not lover with cause to plead in
loves own language, but an avenger
who would find means to humble this
proud woman to his own terms, and to
make his rival feel his power. These
were the thoughts which he revolvcd in
his mind, and, sleeping or waking, chung
to him like scorpions.
Travelling in those days of narrow for
est paths was slow and laborious, and
the steam gent had not yet been COM
PEELED to force the unwilling bark up
stream; therefore military operations
over vast territory were conducted
with much delay and severe labor, to
say nothing of hardship and danger
The French-Canadian peasant, dragged
from his meager farm by the relentless
CONSUMPTION to fight in q cause which
promised him nothing but death or cap
tisity, was not an ardent soldier, and
the thought of a starving wife and FAM
lily at home was not likely to add bnoy-
aucy TO his heart or energy to his move
rients.
But the indomitable spirit of General
Montcalm pushed forward the tagging
forces, and slowly but surely concen-
trated them at the points selected.
A month passed away and Martien
began to feel a soldiers impatience of
inaction, although his captivity was
lightened by his friends. De Barzac, no
longer on the sick list, was in daily OK
pectation of marching orders, while ii
the intervals of duty he nursed the hope
that he was gaining ground in Mile.
Destain's esteem. AS to Lemourier,
and the danger to be feared from his
secret vengeance, they were almost for
gotten.
Is happeaed one afternoon that Mrs
Vernon. while making her daily visit to
the Indian families camped upon the
shore, noticed canoe drawn up on the
bank, at the bottom of which lay
figure wrapped in blanket. Softly she
raised a corner Of the covering and
looked at the face of the sleeper. Then
she dropped it and pressed her hand up
on her bosom. She stood thus for few
usoments lost in thought Than she