Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-02-26

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 a
voice subdued by emotion. The boy
traced some characters upon her hand.
''They are here!" she cried. Gran
cois Francois, do you hear me call?
Bring lights!"
"Who are here?" asked Nine. Chew
reul, rising in great agitation.
The old servant, startled by the inn
perious tone of his gentle mistress,
hrrried to tho veranda with q light.
Mrs. Vernon stood clasping the hand
OF the half-breed, while tho French
lady, grasping the rail of the veranda,
gazed into tho darkness, from whence
emerged two figures, and as they camo
within the circle of light another moro
remote.
''Ninon, my child 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 the veranda,
his face alone visible, gazed upon the
scene with the satisfaction of one who
has accomplished difficult task; while
Stella, a few PAGES behind him, looked
ON with the wondering expression ola
child.
>, An hour later Nile Destain was relat-
ing to her friends the story of her mys-
FERROUS 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 1 was seized
with 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 l screamed 'FireI
once, when blanket was thrown over
my head, ahand pressed upon my mouth,
till between terror and suffocation, l
lost my senses. must have remained
unconscious for long time, for when l !
opened my eyes again, was lying on
some furs on the bottom of a 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 were
some distance from the town. From
my position could distinguish but little
in the darkness, except 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
daylight when / awoke. The canoe
was tied to the shore, and my captors
were preparing meal, of which could
not partake. l then discovered that
there was another canoe; l also recog-
nized Lemourier's negro servant, who
seemed to be in command, but the squaw
directed his course. The white men
were Canadians whose duty it was to
paddle the canoes, kindle fires and pre-
pare meals. After that first night the
journey was continued by daylightonly,
and we occasionally met a party of In
dams on their way to Montreal, but a
few words from Stella, as have named
her, satisfied them that we were friends.
The negro treated me courteously, but
would answer no questions as to our des-
tination. At last we arrived at the is
sand where Captain Marden found me,
and you can imagine my terror at the
fate which 1 believed awaited me, and
how prayed for help even if it came in
the form of death, until that moment of
supreme happiness when I felt the pres
Auin So I'D in Io, Of
my prison"
''But how did Captain Marde find
the clue which led him in che PURSUIT."
asked Mme Chevreul.
MRS. Vernon found it," Marden re-
piled. "An Indian woman whom she
had befriended, and who was an. unseen
witness to the embarkation, revealed it
to her, and Ariel and / started in pur-
suit, believing that their destination
was Fort Frontenac. We therefore fol-
lowed the north shore of the st. Law
renee, but would have passed them, had
not their camp fire betrayed them to
Ariels sharp eyes. The credit of the
rescue belongs to him." He then went
on to describe the subsequent events
with which the reader is familiar, add
ing: "My task being accomplished,
must return to my duty. My presence
here is unknown to all but yourselves
and must remain SO, lest the military
authorities should object to my depart
ure. If may claim your hospitality
for twenty-four hours, Mrs. Vernon"
"And Ariel?" interrupted Mile. Des-
tain.
HE will accompany me-" said Mar
den. '"There is bond of affection be-
tween us which danger and hardship
have cemented too closely to admit a
thought of separation. Ask him, and
he will confirm what say"
"What if the chances of war should
leave him unprotected?" al Ninon.
"He would return to non."
II know you are generous self
ish, said the young lady ear. st Il
owe everything to those qualities, and
appeal to them now. Leave Ariel with US
for time. His devotion to you has
taxed his strength beyond the natural
limit. He needs rest and care"
"a mothers care, added Mrs. Vernon,
with emotion. Captain Marden, urge
that claim, although cannot prove it
- IL