The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-11-05

1t seemed like an omen OF good"
The elder woman shook her hea,
"Omens are for unbelievers. The st:
of Bethlehem heralded the creates
event the world has ever known; but
was not an omen; 1t was"
She stopped. There was shade
between her and the stars, silent pre-
ence at her side, a gentle touch upo
her shoulder; divine intuition whisI
, cred to her heart.
"Arielg' she cried, stretching out he
arms.
"Arielw repeated Nine. Chevreul
with her eyes still fixed upon the stars
'Ah, yes, Ariel would be sure messen
ger of good tidings."
''He Is here" said Mrs. Vernon, in
voice subdued by emotion. The bo,
traced some characters upon her hand
"They are here"' she cried. "Fran
co.'s! Francois, do you hear me call,
Bring lightsm
"Who are here?" asked Nine. Chey
reul, rising in great agitation.
The old servant, startled by the i'm.
perious tone OF his gentle mistress,
hurried to the veranda with light.
Mrs. Vernon stood clasping the hand
OF the half-breed, while tho French
lady, grasping the rail of the veranda,
gazed into the darkness, from whence
emerged two figures, and as they came
within the circle OF light another more
| remote.
"Ninon, my childl Is it thou? hast
thou returned to my heart, my love?'
Nine. Chevreul sobbed the words forth as
she held her niece in her arms Marden,
his foot upon the step of tho veranda,
his face alone visible, gazed upon the
scene with the satisfaction Of one who
has accomplished difficult task; while
Stella, few PAGES behind him, looked
on with the wondering expression Of
child.
An hour later Mile. Destain was relat-
Ing to her friends the story of her mys-
terious abduction from the burning
house. Ariel had retired to rest, and
the squaw was asleep on the veranda
The party were seated around the table
in the dining room, from which the cloth
had Just been removed.
Full OF anxiety for the fate of our
friends" she said, 81 was about TO fol-
low my aunt upstairs, when was seized
with a sudden apprehension of Danger.
Hesitating what to do, became aware
OF smoke In the room; then ! ran into
the hall to give the alarm; my foot was
on the stairs, and | screamed 'Firep
once, when blanket was thrown over
my head, hand pressed upon my mouth,
till between terror and suffocation, I 4
lost my senses. must have remained
unconscious for long time, for when 1
opened my eyes again, was lying on
some furs on the bottom Of canoe,
with my head in the lap OF the Indian
woman. The blanket was removed and |
could breathe freely. The stars were
shining, but there were no lights on the
shore, by which ] knew that we we're
some distance from the town. From
my position could distinguish but little
in the darkness, except a dim form in
The stern OF the canoe. tried TO speak,
but the squaw laid her finger on my
lips. lay still for long time--hours
think-when l fell asleep. II was
daylight when | awoke. Tho canoe
vas tied TO the shore, and my captors
we're preparing meal, OF which could
lot partakc. | then discovered that
here was another canoe; l also recog-
iized Lemourier's negro servant, who
eemed TO be In command, but the squaw
Iirected his course. The whito men
vere Canadians whose duty 1t was to
'addle the canoes, lkindle fires and pre-
'are meals. After that first night the
Quincy was continued by daylight only,
nd we occasionally met party of In
lians on their way 10 Montreal, but q
ew words from Stella, as have named
Ier, satisfied them that we were friends.
The negro treated me courteously, but
Tould answer no questions as to our des-
ination. At last we arrived at the is-
and whore Captain Marden found me,
nd you can imagine my terror at the
ate which believed awaited me, and
ow prayed for help even II 1t came in
he form Of death, until that moment Of
upreme happiness when felt the pres
ure OF Ariel's hand In the darkness Of
ny p rison."
"But how did Captain Marden find
be clue which led him in tho PURSUIT."
sked Mme Chevreul.
Mrs. Vernon found it." Marden re-
lied. "An Indian woman whom she
ad befriended, and who was an unseen
illness to the embarkation, revealed II
D her, and Ariel and started In pur-
uit, believing that their destination
'as Fort Frontenac. We therefore fol-
owed the north shore OF the St Law.
ence, but would have passed them, had
ot their camp fire betrayed them to
Irieps sharp eyes. The credit OF the
escue belongs TO him. He then went
n to describe tho subsequent events
nth which the reader is familiar, add ..
ng: my task being accomplished, I
,ust return to my duty. Ny presence
ero is unknown to all but yourselves
nd must remain 30, lest the military