Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-02-22
PA ROSE OF
NORMANDY
By
WILLIAM r. A. WILSON
81
CHAPTER XIX.-CoNrrsuEp.

not. Court friends are but friends i
all goes we'll with one. When adyer
sity sets in they speedily forget YOU
You will pardon me If | say that
knew OF no one save yourself whit
would show such disinterested kind
ness to a man in need of aid. Be
sides, ! CHANGED to see at Quebec /;
note addressed to Frontenac that ht
said he had received from you. The
handwriting was the same as tina
which was handed me after the duel"
In spite of herself, Renee felt a thrill
of pleasure as she heard the express.
sion of his high oIsaion Of her. This
however, was instantly replaced by
a feeling OF chagrin, as she realized
from his last words it had been after
all but a surmise on his part.
Grant, then, that it was l." she said.
1T was but %repaying a debt | owed
you. 1t was because of me that the
quarrel originated. | would have done
as much for any man. We are then
quits"
Il dared not hope it was for any per-
sonal reason" replied Tonti. SADLY.
But tell me one thing, mademoiselle.
and | shall weary you no further.
What have | done to merit the dis
dain you have shown me ever since
We met in New France? Of what
wrong o. discourtesy have | been
guilty?"
mo wrong have you done me-" was
the animated reply. "If you will know
l shall tell you. 1t is because of the
disappointment | can but feel to find
that | have aided one so unworthy:
because of the shame at recalling that
those lips that have uttered such false
VOWS have pressed this hand. If you
seek further reason, go to your wife
and child SO cruelty abandoned in
Paris, find Madame BLIZZARD. ask them.
Meanwhile, know that your presence
is distasteful, that | scorn to receive
your attentions; in fact, that | hate
you!" and Renee pressed her hand to
her heart, that throbbed Il love vou''
in spite of her words.
Tonti gave a start of surprise and
murmured, THAT woman again!"
Then gathering himself up proudly, he
replied: What evil deeds or crimes
you may impute to me | know not.
shall, however, continue in my duty
to my friend, and not desist in my en-
beavers for your comfort and safety.
| thank you for this interview" and
gathering up his load, he bowed and
left the spot, angry with himself at
finding that in spite of her wrath she
was magnificent, and realizing how
he loved her.
Within a few days all was ready for
their departure. The men sailed away
n the vessel laden with stores and
provisions, while Tonti embarked with
he two women, Pompon, and the Mo-
1egan warrior in a large canoe, and.
urn1ng its Prov southwark soon crossed
he end Of the lake in safety to its
'outherns shore. Toward Renee he main
AIMED the same attitude that he had
lefore their recent interview. Again
vas her comfort sought in every way.
When the wind blew strong or the
threatened, q stop was made
nd they delayed until the skies had
feared and the water was once more
aim. Game was not abundant. but
sh were easily caught. Occasionally,
'hen this diet became unpalatable, a
amp was built, and several days were
pent at rest, while the Indian made
trip toward the interior for venison
I pear. No savages were seen, and
'ont1 hoped to be able to pass by the
ountry of the Iroquois without meet
them. Over one-half of the dis q,
n C was traverSed without mishap, i,
they were opposite to that por- {
.on OF the country inhabited by the g.,
ehecas, the Westernmost nation of the :
cQnfederacy, when disaster =
vertook them. :
lhey were proceeding along close TO +
lie shore because Of the slight rough +
ess OF the water, and were making all /
aste IN order to get over this stage I
their journey as rapidly as posi- f
when they suddenly struck against +
lie ragged edge of a rock Just hidden =
eneath the surface Of the water. r
len was the force Of the blow that a a
rye rent was made in the bottom "
the canoe, which quickly filled, ca 6
ened to one side, and threw it's oc- "
pants and contents into the lake. p,
coming to the surface TOnti be- >,
III Pompon twho could not swim) "
to- the slippery surface of the h
~ point Of rock that had done the E,
Lsehief, the canoe sunk, and the two a,
omen, whose clothing served to ~
oy them up, struggling wildly. With al
shout to the Mohegan to save the
n, who was nearest him, Tonti him a
I struck out for Renee. Although w
was some 200 yards distant, n
was nothing to do but to swim os
II. He seized the girl at the waist -
M hand, while he strove with rr
legs and the remaining arm to urge A
toward a place of safety. 1t was .
fd work, however, as the clothing in
he wore was made of skins and n,
IN became very heavy. Renee, too, .,
ghtened at the sudden plunge, strug- n
ID TO free herself from his grasp. r.
hnally Gained her, and telling her h;
rest her hand on his shoulder, he 81
$ able to make good Roadway. -
Why did you not let the Indian 60
We me?' she murmured. &c
Because !, not he, am responsible n
your safety was the reply. q
Q they reached the land. Tonti dc
$ much exhausted by the struggle, 70
I supported his fair companion to a N
I spot on the sand and then turned h.
attention toward the rest. Pom IT.
still chung to his ~precarious perch. y.
e Mohegan and the nun, however. ".
In o bad plight. Terror seemed On
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