Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-10

! ASAASA W 00 cHOAtS WAAAO AAo SoAA P0hA0AA0 talked. The master of the ship had been commissioned to bring over a lute for the Comte de Frontenac. It was this lute that Tonti had bor- rowed, and, needless now and then of the Tagging conversation, he idly picked out some old forgotten strains upon the strings, his thoughts far dis tant.
 At length Pompon left them. La Sale, after few moments silence, said:
 Mon Dieu! you are a man of ac- complishments; mon ami; soldier and musician. It needs only that you be- come a poet and the three great arts will be found combined in one man."
 Tonti smiled. we once toasted your Lily of Poitou," he said. "Listen now, while tell you of my Rose of Normandy. Perhaps if you will but forget the singer, you may be pleased like I am with the subject of my song." So saying, he played few chords and began to sing to an old 1ldlldA Whilst poets celebrate in rhyme Some comedy maid of high degree, | The praises rare I'd gladly sing
 Of Rose, my Rose. of Normandy.
 The supbeams nestle in her hair, i Her lips are wondrous red to see,
 A roguish glance beams from her eye, | The eye of Rose of Normandy.
 Sweet thoughts and pure possess her
 mind,
 From earthly dross and blemish free; An earnest purpose fills the soul ! Of Rose, my Rose, of Normandy.
 Within the empire of her heart
 fain would reign its king to be; | But other hands I fear will pluck
 This Rose, my Rose, of Normandy.
 Bravo! Monsieur Poet" applauded La Sale. Would that I had your gift of rhyming. fear my sober mon- astic training destroyed any latent talent l might have had. If could would sing to you in return the. charms of my fair one"
 A silence ensued, broken only by the creaking of the ships timbers, the shrilling of the wind through the rig eing, and the sound of rush ing waters as the vessel careened on her course. A falling star shot its tiny spark across the heavens; the untitled sound of hu- man voices came up from the interior of the Saint Honore;" the ships bell announced the arrival of midnight.
 At length Tont aroused himself from his revery and spoke to his friend, who in turn was unconscious of his surroundings, so great was the power of thought over his physical environment.
 Do you recolect our first meeting, mon capitsine, how you promised to we had once left the land behind us? 1 Perhaps although your rhymes be faulty, one could learn something of her from your prose-"
 '"True, mon ami, but words, even though they be not those of poesy, would utterly fail to describe the per- son of her who has entered my life but recently, but whose angelic pres ence I trust shall remain with me for ever. But shall spare you all rhapso- dies. She whom I call my Lily of Poi | tou is 9 daughter of noble of that province: her name, Renee d'Outre- laise. She lives with mademoiselle as a companion and friend. So far She has not been seen at court, but keeps close to her protectress, and is visible only to those honored few to whom mademoiselle chooses to show her; for all of which am thankful. The princess as patroness of the arts and literature has been pleased to interest herself in my explorations and has in- vited me on a number of occasions to rehearse to her my adventures in New France and relate all that would in- terest her about the land and its in- habitants. Mile. d'Outrelaise has been present at most of our interviews, and it was while thus engaged that real iZed that a new strange feeling had arisen within my heart, a feeling that men lightly call love. but which recognize. as en inspiring, ennObling influence that means much more to me-"
 La Salle, not noticing his compan- ions silence, continued:
 "Mademoiselle has known by -eputa- tion some of my relatives and connec- tions and thinks highly of me as well as my projects, and I know approves my suit. Renee has never shown aught in her 5emearor that 'hetokened re- turn of my affection, nor have l ever spoken words of love to her. partly from my lack of courage and partly from the fact that I have seen he: alone but once. I feel safe in her retired life, believing mademoiselle to be my ally: besides, she is young yet. If but accomplish what hope to do. I can return in two or three years with honor. power. and wealth and claim her for my own. She will be guided largely in her choice of a husband by the princess counsel and wishes. saw her the day left Paris, and our parting interview augered well for my hopes"
 How so?" asked Tonti in a hard strained voice.
 "I detected evidences Of long weep ing in her eyes; she was agitated be- yond measure. and expressed the warmest wishes for the safety and sue cess of my expedition: and best of all. after had kissed the hand of mad- emoiselle in edieu. she permitted me