Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-12-07


moiselle Aston, in order to escape the
fate in reserve for yonder brave but
infatuated families" asked the French
man, seriously.
"And leave my dearest friends?' said
Rosalthe, calmly Your motives may
be excellent, sir, but l reject your coun-
share the fortunes of those l love, what
ever they may be. But l would not
appear ungrateful. l thank you for your
kind attentions. Adeu. My decision
is final"
1T is MOTT must not be.' cried the
Frenchman, emphatically. II can-l
| will not consent to such a sacrifce.
Il cannot understand whence comes
| your intimate knowledge of the contem-
plated movements of the Indians and
| their French and British allies" said
| Rosalthe. Neither can | fully appre-
| ciate the motives which can induce you
| to offer safety to ME and no others.
You have been for a period the guest
of the settlers, and Captain Boone, my
father and others have treated you with
kindness and true hospitality; why not
go to them and make known the dan
ger that is hourly drawing nearer and
nearerT
There are many reasons that shape
my actions which l cannot explain, but
| strong-an Observation-Disclosures to save
you has induced me to give you a word
of timely warming"
My resolution to dare every peril
with natural guardians and protectors is
as strong as human will can make i"
| said Rosalthe
Promise me, at least, that you will
| lock this secret in your own bosom, and
reflect on what have said for four-and-
twenty hours" continued LIE Bland, con-
siderably agitated.
L will make no promises, if you
please" answered the young lady.
How vexatious! how perverse" eX-
claimed the Frenchman, petulantly.
'Mademoiselle, you must listen to rea-
son; you must be RATIONAL you must
promise to keep my secret for at least
twenty-four hours" and lie Bland placed
himself before her and barred her fur
Their progress.
Rosalthe quailed before the stern
glances of lie Bland, and would have
called for assistance had she dared; but
| the terror which the Frenchman's con-
shrinking from him, she exclaimed:
Il promise; let me pass"
ut is well; be careful that in some
unguarded moment you do not betray
the secret" rejoined lie Bland, in mild
err tone, but without moving from her
path.
This Is annoying, sir, and i'll becomes
you as a guest and friend" said Miss
Aston, whose perturbation momentarily
| increased, and was now mingled with
some just indignation.
Stand aside, sir, if you are gentle
man." said a voice that made Rosalthe's
| heart beat with gladness. She beheld
young hunter at the distance of few
| yards away, with a rife in his hand,
powder horn and ball pouch slung at his
side, together with the usual accompani-
ments of such a calling. The strangers
face was somewhat flushed with resent
! ment and his eyes were fixed sternly
| upon the Frenchman.
lie Bland, who appeared chagrined
and displeased, stepped from Rosalthe's
path, bowed as she passed, and then
| turned towards the hunter with an ex-
| preston that might be construed into
| anything rather than appreciation
With smile of contempt he scanned
him from head to foot, then remarked,
as if his words were intended for no
ears save his own.
"a knight in a hunting shirt-a speci-
men of the infant chivalry of Ken
lucky. Young fellow, what may be
your business with me?''
81 have no further demand to make
of your courtesy, sir" replied the hunt
err, looking after the retreating figure
of Rosalthe.
Extremely modest and ingenious
| YOUTH exclaimed the Frenchman, iron
| ically. by what particular combination
of letters are you usually known?
THE condescending monsieur wishes
to know my name; it is Allan Norwood"
replied the hunter.
Did it ever occur to you, excellent
Allan. that meddling with other peoples
| affairs is not always safe and profitable
business?" said lie Bland, knitting his
brows.
4 have some knowledge, proud
Frenchman, of what belongs to a gentle
| man. | know how to defend my honor.
| and punish impertinence," rejoined AL
| Ian.
You are there, are you? You carry
it bravely. III humor your mood, my
| doughty rustic, and though you are not
my equal, l will meet you on equal
terms. Have you pistols, worthy AL
lan?"
Il have, and you may take your choice
Of the pair" answered the hunter, calm
ly.
Let us walk yonder, then. out of
hearing of the settlers, and adjust this
| little affair"
The two now diverged from the rivers
bank, lie Bland leading the way Push
| ing aside the bushes at every step and
passing over some pretty rough ground
they soon reached a large growth of
| wood, free from underbrush and brakes,
| and emerging from that they stood on
| the border of one of the beautiful levels
characteristic of the country
Allan paused to admire the natural
| beauty of the spot, and the Frenchman
observed him askance. While the parties
stood thus small bird alighted on a
| willow bush at about a distance of ten
| PAGES.
III trouble you for one of those pis-
tolls, sir said lie Bland quietly.
Allan instantly complied with his re-
quest, and gave him his choice of a
brace of we'll furnished pistols with rifle
barrels. The Frenchman took one of
them and remarked, with his usual court
| illness of style, that he was considered
very good shot. but want of practice
had untitled him for nice shooting"
With these words, and smiling again.
he raised the weapon. fred without much
apparent care, and the bird fell dead.
Rather clumsily done for me.
| should have shot biS head off. hut it Is