The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1898-11-12
CIofh iine.
81

I have reached the fullest stature of a
man-which can only be attained when
he is confident that he possesses the
love OF q noble woman"
Captain Denham looked as he felt;
there was an expression Of peace and
strength in the handsome bronzed face
that was noticeable 10 his friend.
And Valentine Dayton was himself in
a state bordering on ecstasy; for had
not Ellen CondiJ. with the consent Of
her parents, pledged him her hand. on
their way back from Doctor Hedges
the night before?
The young officers, during this con-
versation, were on their way to the Sea
Hawk, where the Captain was to make
his arrangements and Issue his orders
before turning over the command Of the
ship to Lieutenant Hedges.
] On reaching the deck they found
Lieutenant Frenauld on board, talking
earnestly with the officers of the Sea
Hawk.
With the official manner which sailors
and soldiers can so readily assume or
| lay aside, Frenauld touched his hat,
and, approaching Captain Denham,
said:
Il am the bearer Of letter. sir. from
and, taking his arm, they went down
the road and through tho woods, where,
as a little girl, she had often gathered
nuts, while Ralph, then sturdy boy,
sent them to the earth from his giddy
| perches high up In the trees.
She did not hesitate to tell him then
that she thought him the bravest,
strongest and handsomest boy in all the
world. He would give great deal to
know what she thought of him now.
1t was with something Of feeling OF
desperation that he resolved to learn
her feelings tonight. The couriers
letter had decided him.
He forgot the barrier that sprung up
in his mind, every time he thought OF
offering himself in the past.
| Ralph knew who he was-rather he
did not know who he was, in regard to
nam. and parentage-and though he
consoled himself with the belief that
neither could be bad, he realized
that In this community, there was a
strong, even bitter, prejudice against
these Of Legitimate birth, and that
maidens far beneath Lea Hedges in the
social scale would hesitate before CIV
ing him their hands in marriage.
Usually, Ralph was the soul of cheer
fulness; tonight, he was gloomy, and.
In her futile efforts to rally him, Lea
herself became taciturn.
At length they reached a promontory.,
that commanded a magnificent view Of
the bay, and OF the islands to the east,
now cloud of green and gold, in the
| distance. Here they sat down on the!
trunk Of fallen tree and, turning to
her, Ralph asked:
How long have you known me, Lea"
Il have known you Ralph she REL
piled, ever since j can remember"
He became silent again, dreading to
launch out on the sea, to whose shore
he had led her.
why do you ask that strange ques-
tion?"
She did not look at him, but toyed
with the ribbon of the hat which she
held in her lap.
Il was wondering how long two
friends-good friends as you and are
could be acquainted without knowing
exactly what the one thought of tho
other" he said.
Il have never doubted about that; you
have been to me q brave brother, In
| whom felt oil sisters pride; and 7
think have been to you a sister; you
have often told me was, in these very
woods" And now she began to knot
the strings as II she had spite against
them.
Il was then youth and you little
girl. We have both changed. You are
no longer a sister to me. Lea"
| Not sister, Ralph"
| mo; the time-the time I have SO
often thought Of, and always with .
feeling OF dread-has come. Oh, Lea,
you must be much more than o sister to
ne-or-or less.
He turned to her AMI reached out
Doth his hands; and, as she did not
make q response, but sat there trem-
bling, with face as white as a statue,
he called out:
Forgive me, Lea. / could not help
1t. 1t seemed that my heart would
break II did not tell you Of my love
before left. Now care not TO return.
but do not blame you. We're you in
truth my sister, and one in my position
asked for your hand. 1 could not en-
courage him"
"Oh, Ralph, Ralph" she cried, spring.
ing to her feet, and cl'nging with her
white arms to his neck. DO not leave
me so, Ralph, my more than brotherl"
AS he folded her to his breast, and
kissed her face, which the setting sun
seemed to surround with an aureole Of
golden light. Ralph Denham became
aware of another presence.
He looked up and saw the scowling
dark face and towering form Of the
! Montauk chief before him.
Releasing Lea, Ralph strobe before
he Indian, and in an angry tone de-
manded:
What brings you here?"
Here" said the chief, defantly
glancing around him. Here stand on
The lands of the Montauk. What brings
you here?"
Il should give my reply il this lady
we're not with US, )" said Ralph.
Il shall receive your reply when she
IS not with you" said Uncas, throwing
ais long rifle across his shoulder, and
ytriding into the forest from which he
lad come.
1 CHAPTER x.
| THEY SAILED AWAY IN A GALLANT BARK. u
well, with tho love Of such girl as
Cousin Lea assured" said Valentine
dayton, the morning following the
events narrated in the preceding chap
ier. 1the battle lie more than half won.
[ am sure Uncle Nehemiah Hedges will
come round in time.
Il do not blame Doctor Hedges for re-
usinR me the hand OF his daughter; In
| ais position think might do the
same. said the captain.