Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-02-15
pa ROSE ORA
NORMANDY
WILLIAM r. A. WILSON
~
CHAPTER ~XVIII.lCoNTINUEp.

perils of the girl, the depth of a wom-
ans love, the wound a feminine heart
can suffer and yet live, and the
strength of purpose of a noble nature
that has resolved to conquer, ever
though it be by flight. She told of the
Comte de Miron, of his duel with
Tonti, of her adventure in the chair,
of her love she felt to be returned, of
the appearance of the comte in Que
bee. As regards Tonti she contented
herself with saying that she had
learned that she was mistaken in her
estimate of the man, that he was all
unworthy of her love, and that, in
short, she had ceased to love him.
Her r%eticence as to the cause of her
change of feeling, the vehemence with
which she expressed her dislike, and
the evidences of mingled shame and
hurt pride in her tone, caused Fronte-
nae to smile i~ndulgently. He listened
patiently until the end and then dis
missed her, saying in a soothing tone:
81 will consider the matter ma chere,
ollu L L tdn lluu lO OthCl lGDlCuy DO-
lieve me l shall not stand in your way
of escape from this rascal, but shall
aid you all in my power"
Renee thanked him and arose to go.
AS she passed through the anteroom
she was startled at finding Tonti stand
ing by the window, evidently awaiting
an opportunity to see the comte. He,
too, was surprised at beholding her,
and bowed low as she passed, mutter-
ing some commonplace greeting. She,
however, neither noticed his bow, his
words, nor himself, but with eyes fixed
In front of her, passed rapidly through
the door with an air of naughty pride
and disdain that would have done
credit to mademoiselle herself, and
was gone.
Frontenac saw this by-play and
laughed at the rueful countenance with
which Tonti greeted him.
There seems to be some mistake"
he said. you apparently think you
know the fair donnee, while she be-
lieves differently. All! you knave, try
ing your destinations on every pretty
woman you meet"
Pardon, M. lie Comte," replied
Tonti, stifly, "but ! knew the young
lady before leaving France, hence my
s%alutation. She probably did not see
me-"
very likely" responded Frontenac,
dryly. 'tSince you know her so well
she will probably tell you how it hap
pens she is here and all about her.
self. 1t will ave me the trouble"
Tonti grasped him by the wrist nerv-
ously. Come" he said, you are my
friend. Tell me when and why did she
leave France?"
Frontenac, seeing the young mans
earnestness, good%-naturedly told him
him of the arrival of his charge.
"She has fed from Louis" murmured
Tonti. But why this garb of a re-
~ligieuse?"
ITO escape the attentions of a
worthless adventurer who came in the
same ship. She wished to become a
nun, but ! was mo- willing to allow
that"
wished to become a NUM-" ex-
claimed Tonti, in establishment. How
can that be? She loves La Sale, and
he is devoted"
Loves La Salle!" laughed Frorte-
nae long and loudly. "Ho! no! my
friend, l happen to know better than
that"
Tonti's face flushed angrily. He
took a step forward, crying you
know? What can you know-unless,
par Dieu! you are wooing her and in
tend to marry her YOURSELF"
Frontenac fairly choked with merri-
ment at these ireful words. When he
vas able to speak again he said:
'Mordi! one at a time! Do | want
both ears boxed? But come, my war
like friend, sit down and evaporate
your wrath"
Tonti took several strides up and
down the room, then turning to his
companion, exclaimed:
Pardon, mon ami, but | am dis
tracted and know not what | say. Hear
me, and decide if | have not reason for
madness. | meet a beautiful wom-
an in Paris. | worship and adore her.
She is friendly. | leave France; and
my comrade, he whom | have sworn
to aid and defend, confides to my honor
a mighty secret, tells me that he loves
the same woman, and that he has
every reason to believe that he can
win her. Two years later l approach
a besieged seigniory in the wilderness
and find her, the woman | love and
whom left across the seas, as the de-
fender of the post. | meet her here;
she will not even recognize me. You
talk Of her and tell me she desires the
convent and the veil. Mon Dieu!
what am | to believer"
"You have never told me of your
!ove?" asked the comte in return.
Il could hardly do so after my friend
and companion had honored me with
his confidence, little dreaming Of my
OWE feelings toward her." replied
Tonti, proudly.
Frontenac watched the young man
musingly. Zone can never know a
woman's mind. If Madame Bizard
were here"
Madame Bizard?" cried Tonti.
"She has never known herr"
"Certainement! 1t was to her charge
that I confided the girl when she first
came"
"Misericorde!" calculated Tonti.
He then related to the governor the
hetails of the attempt to entrap him
through the agency of that m be-
fore he had left Quebec.