Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-27
WATERBURY EVENING DEMOCRAT. THURSDAY APRIL

to his and went on more boldly: T love you, my true, brave knight. and have eyer since the days of our earli- est meeting. It was for you I weDt the bitter tears at your departure: for you made this flag above us. el- though, perforce, handed 1t to your friend. It was Tor love of you, when obliged to leave France, that breved the wild seas and unknown land. For love of you my heart well-nigh broke when thought you unworthy; for you it beat afresh when I knew you true. Do not think, my love, that have not seen your trial and struggle. It has been my joy, understanding all. to watch how fine and noble was tho strife, low complete the victory. I would not have had you false to La Salle, for in keeping faith with him did you honor me. Nor need you tell me of your love, for have heard lt already. Through the long. dark watches have listened to your plead- ings, to your praise. Night after night have heard your dear voice continu- cusly murmuring my name; hour after hour have I spent in learning what your ideal was, and oh! my lover, how bitter has been the realization of how far short come of being that which you believe me to be-"
 The solitary canoe that Tonti had watched drew near to the landing. It's occupant disembarled and approached the fort. A few moments later the boyish voice of the Sieur de Boisrondet rang across the yard:
 "Capitaine Tonti! A messenger from Quebec" as he quickly approached the lovers on the rampant. "A messenger from Quebec, bringing dispatches! One is for you personally. I thought I would bring it at once. Those per- taining to official business the cheva- Her will discuss with you later" Tonti recognized the scrawling writ ing of Frontenac on the outside of the large oblong package. He opened 1t, and out fell document bearing the royal seal. With it was g letter that read as follows:
 Mon cher Tonti-I have good news for you. Colbert is dead. The king, no longer under his influence, hastens to make amends for your fathers cruel treatment and to reward your bold en- deavors for him in the wilds of New France. I send you the royal commits sion granting you unlimited rights to I~ HnV iii chief of all the forces of the king in the Mississippi valley, together with the powers of governor (shared in by La Salle) of all additions to the royal do- main that by right of settlement or ex- ploration you may acquire. You are to receive salary of 5000 livres. On the other hand, If you prefer to return to France, Louis has promised me to create you comte and transfer to you the pos sessions that your enemy Miron fell heir to two months ago by the death of an uncle, and which have been declared forfeited to the crown. My affairs are again hopeful and expect ere long to be returned to Quebec. Should you ever by any chance meet with the fair donnee. convey to her my best desires and give her for me-a fatherly kiss.
 LOUIS DE BUADE,
 Comte de Frontenac.
 Tonti's mind ran rapidly over the situation; to return meant wealth honor, the kings favor, and all that he had thought when there worth striving for. To remain meant the giving up of the glittering vanity and polluted pleasures of the court, while there w6lld abide with him the, bold free existence that he now loved; the life work before him of building up the noble fabric of a new reaim;-and Renee, she for whom he would have turned aside the proffered riches and honors of the world and thought i, cheap.
 He handed the letter to her to read and watched her face with smile oi loving tenderness. She finished and looked up. Your choice, my lord!' she demanded. For answer Tonti gently drew her to him. and murmur. ing, There is but one," fulfilled te his own satisfaction the last request | of Frontensc.
 He then pulled at cord fastened about his neck end drew forth small fiat object wrapped carefully in oiled : silk. He undid it before Renee's won dering eyes and showed her-a tiny bit of lace, handkerchief crumplet and with a torn border, while cleal and distinct as when he first examined it standing on the street of Paris stood forth the embroidered letter "R. She blushed with pleasure as she rec ognized it, and saw him carry it rev erently to his. lips, murmuring Renee, my Rose!"
 The wind was hushed; silence fel upon the town; the faint rippling O the distant water was scarcely heard the golden lilies from the summit o