Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1906-05-02


choisy mademoiselle, and they indeed
stirred what little portion OF my heart
there remained untitled by ambitious
schemes, and l thought l loved her
But once the smell of the forest and
the stream greeted me l realized that
l had no room in my life for womans
| love. sweet and precious though Ii
might be to some, but that I 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 ouch a one
there can be no home, no domestic ties
My heart goes out in pity for her, a.
though Ii does not throb with love-
| trust she will find some one better
able to make her happy than I, for
she is certainly everything that is good
and estimable. Were your affections
not already engaged in another direc-
ton | could not wish you a greater
blessing that that you yourself might
win her"
Tont'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
VINO through SO many days had
schooled his tongue to silence. whose
full strength had been needed to keep
back In fierce repression the thou
loving ia, 1ot
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
mad greeted him in maidenly confu-
sion from the depths of the sedan
chair; that had furtively followed him
throughout their later wanderings
with look OF secret yearning: those
eyes that had gazed upon him In pity
throughout his suffering and that he
now surprised filled 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.
NShSC, my utlONeO, ne Whispered
gently, Il 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 I'M
worthy deeds, and, best and greatest o..
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-
ping hand, of its growth and persist
ence despite my efforts to forget when
found L could not proceed further
without dishonor. How greatly Ii was
intensified when l discovered you in
this wild land. alone, helpless, and in
danger; when l saw your courage and
strength mount to meet occasion; when
beheld you. gentle ministering
spirit, and felt the sweet comfort OF
your tender plying 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"
Il love you. murmured Renee; then.
as though the sound OF her own words
gave her courage, she raised her eyes
10 his and went on more boldly: az
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. / handed 1t 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'I 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. II 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 I have heard 1t
already. Through the long. dark
watches have I listened to your plead
ings, to your praise. Night after night
have | heard your dear voice continu-
ously 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
lar short / come OF being that which
you believe me TO be"
The solitary canoe that Tonti had
watched drew near 10 the landing. It's
occupant disembarked and approached
the fort a few moments later the
boyish voice Of the Sicur de Boisrondct
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
would bring 81 at once. Those per-
tanning to official business the cheva-
Her VIII discuss with you later"
Tonti recognized the scrawling writ
ing Of FrOntenac on the outside of tho