Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-12-07


stirred what little portion of my heart
there remained untitled by ambitious
schemes, and | thought | loved her
But once the smell of the forest and
the stream greeted me | realized that
had no room in my life for woman's
love, sweet and precious though it
might be to some, but that | was des-
tined for great achievements; deeds
of conquest and discovery; deeds
| wrought out in the solitude of the
| wilderness or about the council fires
of treacherous foe. For such a one
there can be no home, no domestic ties
My heart goes out in pity for her, al
! though it does not throb with love.
| trust she will find some one better
able to make her happy than |, for
she is certainly everything that is good
| and estimable. Were your affections
not already engaged in another direc-
tion l could not wish you greater
blessing that that you yourself might
win her"
Tonti's hand trembled; a faintness
came over him as he realized the full
import of the message.
Have you bad news?" asked Renee,
as she noticed his agitation.
THE only news worth living for"
was Tonti's reply He tried to speak
further, but his lips were dumb. He
who through so many days had
sChooled his tongue to silence, whose
full strength had been needed to keep
back in fierce repression the thou
sand loving words that came rushing
to his lips, found when the time came
| and the seal was removed that the
| springs of his eloquence were dry. He
looked into her eyes, those eyes that
had greeted him in maidenly confu-
sion from the depths of the sedan
chair; that had furtiyely followed him
throughout their later wanderinGS
with a look of secret yearning; those
| eyes that had gazed upon him in pity
throughout his suffering and that he
now surprised filed with an ineffable
tenderness. And in his look she read
the meaning of his words; knew that
in some way the barrier had been
broken down. He seized her unresist-
ing hand and at the touch his speech
| found utterance.
Renee, my beloved" he whispered
gently, II am free at last to speak and
| show you all that is in my heart: the
hopes, the yearnings, the striving for
better things, the struggle against un-
| worthy deeds, and, best and greatest os
all, invading and surrounding aught
else, filling my heart and brain and
| life-my love for you. To tell you of
its beginning, kindled by the sight Of
| your beauty, the touch of your trem-
| bling hand, of it's growth and persist
ence despite my efforts to forget when
| found | could not proceed further
| without dishonor. How greatly 1t was
| intensified when l discovered you in
| this wild land, alone, helpless, and in
| danger; when | saw your courage and
strength mount to meet occasion; when
| beheld you. a gentle ministering
| spirit and felt the sweet comfort Of
your tender pitying service. To tell
| you all will take lifetime. All! mia
cara let me hear from your lips what
your bushes, your glance, the pressure
| of your hand tell me already"
81 love you" murmured Renee; then,
| as though the sound of her own words
| gave her courage, she raised her eyes
to his and went on more boldly: 81
| love you, my true, brave knight, and
have ever since the DAYS of our earli-
est meeting. 1t was for you / wept
the bitter tears at your departure; for
you | made this flag above us, al
| though, perforce, l handed it to your
friend. 1t was for love of you, when
obliged to leave France, that | braved
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 l knew you true.
Do not think, my love, that have not
seen your trial and struggle. 1t has
been my Joy, understanding all, to
watch how fine and noble was the
strife, how complete the victory.
would not have had you false to La
Sale, for in keeping faith with him
did you honor me. Nor need you tell
me of your love, for l have heard it
already. Through the long, dark
watches have l 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 | spent in learning what
your ideal was, and oh! my lover how
bitter has been the realization of how
far short I 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 disembarked and approached
the fort. A few moments later the
boyish voice of the Sicur 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. | thought
| would bring it at once. Those per
tanning to official business the cheva-
lier will discuss with you later"