The Washington times., 1902-08-24

fastened there ard saw and hailed us.
| was not sorry to be allowed to enter.
flor l was tired to, exhaustion. and sat
down on the floor away from the fire.
The man looked at me suspiciously,
| though he was ruddy and good -natured.
But he bent quite over before De Chau-
mont's daughter, and made a flourish
with his hand in receiving young Crog-
han. There were IN the cabin with him
two women and two little girls; and a
Canadian servant like fat brown bear
came from the rear of the house to look
at US and then went back to the horses.
All the women began to speak, but
Annabel de Charmont could talk faster
than the four others combined. so they
knew our plight before we learned that
they were the Grignon and Tank fami-
lies. who were going into the west TO
find settlement. and had made the house
their camp for one night The Dutch
maid dark and round-eyed, and the
faxed little Grignon, had respect for
their elders and held their tongues while
while Madame Tank and Madame Grig-
rem spoke, but Annabel de Chaumont
was like grove of sparrows. The world
seemed swarming with young maids. The
travellers were mere children, while the
counts daughter was startling as an
angel. Her clothing fitted her body like
an exquisite sheath. l do not know
what it was, but it made her look as
slim as a dragon fly. Her white and
rose pink face had high arched nose,
and was proud and saucy. She wore her
hair beaten out like mist, with rich
ears to her shoulders She shook her
head to set her hat straight, and turned
her eyes in rapid smiling sweeps. I
knew as well then as / ever did after
ward that she was bound to befool every
man that came near her.
There were only two benches in the
cabin, but it was foored and better
made than our hunting lodges. The TEN.
porary inmates and their guests sat
down in a long row before the fire. T
near the wall, and watch their backs, as
an outsider. Mademoiselle de Chaumont
absorbed all eyes and all attention. She
told about ball. to which she had rid
den with her governess and servants a
three days journey, and from which
all the dancers we're riding back three
lays journey to join in another ball at
her fathers house. With the hospitality
which made lie Ray de Chaumont's
manor the palace of the wilderness as
/ existed then, she inviteds tine hosts
who sheltered her for the night, to
.ome to the ball and stay all summer
And they lamented that they could not
accept the invitation. being obliged to
iurry on to Albany. where larger
,arty would give them escoret on a
ong westward journey.
The head of the house took up his
,ow, as If musing on the ball, and
Annabel de Chaumont wriggled her feet
aster and faster. Tire1ess as thistle-
lown that rolls here and there at the
will of the wind, up she sprang and be-
;an TO dance. The children watched her
pellbound. None of us had ever seen
he many figures through which she
assed. or such wonderful dancing. The
Kinney was built of logs and clay,
orming terraces. AS If it was no long
r possible for her to stay on the ground
he darted from the beneh-end to the
owest log. and stopper on up as fear
essly as a thing of air. until her head
ouched the roof Monsieur Grignon
layed like mad. and the 9TH
rs clapped their hands. While
he poised so I sat up to watch her.
nd she noticed me for the first time
y freight.
Look at that boy-he has been hurt
the blood is running down his cheekl"
he cried. II thought he was an Indian
-and he is white,"
She came down as lightly as she had
one up. and caused me to be haled
gainst my will to the middle of
ench. 1 wanted the women to leave
lie alone. and told them my head had
cen broken two days before, and was
tdi ~ NSli. Inc lHutHSIS, LOU heeu 10
ash and baiidege to let me escape, op-
ned saddle pack and tore good linen.
George Croghan stood by the chimney.
i'm and tall and handsome. His head
nd face were long, his hair was OF
lnny color, and his mouth corners
-ere shrewd and good-natured- liked
i'm the moment l saw him. Younger
years than l. he was older in wit and
anly carriage. While he looked on it
as hard TO have Madame Tank seize
y head in her hands and examine my
febrow. She next took my wrists, and
1t satisfied. stripped up the right
eeve and exposed crescent-sh shaped
ar. one OF the rare vaccination marks
those days. did not know what it
as. Her animated dark eyes drew the
'ows together so that a pucker came
tween them. 1 looked at Croghan.
Id wanted TO exclaim-"Help yourselfi
nybody may handle met
"Ursule Grignon," she said sharply,
ID Madame Grignon answered
"Eh, what. Katarine?''
This IS the boy
But what boy?''
The boy saw on the ship
THE one who was sent TO Amer.
a."
Madame Tank put up her hand, ani