Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-02-08
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
lie Bland paused and waited anxious
ly for an answer, but Rosalthe remained
silent.
''Will you go to Harrodsburgh, Made
moiselle Aston, in order to escape the
fate in reserve for yonder brave bu,
infatuated families?' asked the French
| man, seriously.
"And leave my dearest friends?' said
| Rosalthe. calmly. "Your motives may
be excellent. sir, but reject your .coun.
sci. l will not go; l will remain and
share the fortunes of those I love, what.
ever they may be. But l would not
appear ungrateful. l thank you for your
kind attentions. Adieu! My decision
is final"
ut is mott must not be-" cried the
| Frenchman, emphatically. Il can-l
will not consent to such a sacrifice!'
| II 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 l fully appre-
| ciate the motives which can induce you
| to offer safety to me and no others.
| You have been for 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
| nearer?'
There are many reasons that shape
my actions which cannot explain, but
strong-an resistible-desire to save
you has induced ME to give you word
of timely warming"
"My resolution to dare every peril
with natural guardians and protectors is
as strong as human will can make it,"
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
II will make no promises, If you
please" answered the young lady.
How vexatious! how perverseW 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 hours" and lie Bland placed
himself before her and barred her fur
ther 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:
II promise; let me pass"
at is we'll; be careful that in some
unguarded moment you do not betray
the secret" rejoined lie Bland, in mild
er tone, but without moving from her
path.
This is annoying, sir, and i'll becomes
you as a guest and a FRIEND" said Miss
Aston, whose perturbation momentarily
increased, and was now mingled with
some just Indignation.
Stand aside, sir, if you are a gentle
man." said a voice that made Rosalthe's
heart beat with gladness. She beheld
a young hunter at the distance of few
yards away, with a rifle in his hand, a
powder horn and ball pouch slung at his
side. together with the usual accompani-
ments of such calling. The strangers
face was somewhat flushed with resent
ment, and his eyes were fixed sternly
upon the Frenchman.
lie Bland. who appeared chagrned
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 a 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 hunting shirt-a speci-
men of the infant chivalry of Ken
lucky. Young fellow. what may ba
your business with me"
Il have no further demand to make
of your courtesy, SIR" replied the hunt
er, 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
DuoAhtoS. sdiu I<c bidhu, hhietihS
brOws.
81 have some knowledge. proud
Frenchman, of what belongs to a gentle
man. l know how to defend my honor.
and punish impertinence," rejoined AL
Ian.
you are there. are you? You carry
II bravely. I'll humor your mood, my
doughty rustic, and though you are not
my equal | will meet you on equal
terms. Have you pistols, worthy AL
lanT'
81 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.