The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-04-20

proceed. He did 80 hastily, as the
strain on his arm was terrific. They
had reached a point a couple OF yards
from the bottom when Renee, who had
seen all that TRANSFERRED, suddenly re-
Taxed her hold, unable to maintain It
any longer. and dropped. She struck
against Pompon's shoulder, glancing
of and falling lightly to the ground.
A cry OF suppressed pain came from
her lips, however, for one foot had
turned upon a stone and wrenched her
ankle. Tonti hurriedly raised her and
helped her into the canoe which was
waiting q few feet away. Madame
BLIZZARD then threw off the coil of rope
about the trunk and waved her last
farewell. It vas indeed her last, for
when the escape of the prisoners was
discovered, she was suspected, and fell
before a blow from her Infatuated par
amour. Thus did she give her life as
the penalty for attempting to atone
by one good deed for the wretched
frailty Of her past.
Pompon seized the grapevine rope
and slowed 1t away in the canoe in
" iOoNC III tiatC DCuluu vi tutIT
flight, and Jumping aboard, they were
once more afioat. At first they pad
died cautiously through the shade at
the waters edge until they were out
Of sight Of the Indian camp. Then
they struck boldly out, making the
boat fairly fly over the water in their
haste to place as great distance as
possible between themselves and their
pursuers. A strict silence was main
tanned, broken only once by Renee,
who applauded Pompon for the inge-
nuity and boldness Of his plan. He
was gratifed at her praise, and re-
piled:
Ma fol! Mademoiselle, there was
nc Dther way. If a mar does not enter
q tigers den he cannot get her cubs"
Just rs the first pink tinges of the
coming day appeared in the east they
reached the upper end of the lake.
Here they landed, and after placing
several huge stones in the canoe, Pom
pom cut a hole in it's side, and giving
1t a shove sent 1t out into che lake and
watched it slowly sink, murmuring:
"a sad way to treat a friend who
has aided YOU"
He then produced a small stock Of
provisions that Madame BLIZZARD had
hastily gathered and given him. This
consisted Of a piece Of smoked meat
and some ground maize. A portion OF
this suficcd for their breakfast. They
were about to start on their journey
again when 1t was found that Renee's
ankle, which had swollen visibly dur
ing their passr ge ove the lake, PANIED
her so severely whep she touched the
ground with her foot that she was UNI
able to walk a step. This was a grave
question, for every moment lost at this
stage Of their progress made the
chances of their recapture all the great
er. There was no time to devise any
means of transport for her. One thing
only could be dole. Tonti arose to
the occasion.
"Mademoisefle," he said a~pologet-
ically, remember that all our lives are
In danger, and that this is no time to
consult your preferences. You must
proceed. You cannot walk; permit me
to walk for you"
"How?" queyied Renee in a puzzled
tone.
Ma fol! l must carry YOU"
be had expected an outbreak at this
proposal, or at least a strong resist
ance, but che only flushed, and, lonk-
ing down, said:
You are the commander of this for
lorn hope, Capitaine Tontt If there Is
no other way. | suppose I must be obe-
dent
Thus they started off, Pompop in
the lead, with Tonti bearing Renee in
his arms close behind. At first her
cheeks were a mass of flame and her
head was well averted. But gradually
the pressure of the great strong, pro-
tecting arms about her brought to her
mind a sense Of infinite relief and
restfulness, while the tact and con-
sideration for her embarrassment won
for him her deepest thanks. Thus It
was that she strove to make the bur-
den lighter and the way less tedious
BY her cheerful words and bright
smile.
Fol Tonti 1t was exquisite torture.
ne knew That 1t but needed a word
from him and the tired head would
rest upon his shout Ter once for all;
that the recital of his love would
bring a like sweet confession. But he
steeled his heart rs he thought of his
friend waiting for him so many leagues
distant, who, knowing all other men
to be false, held faith in his consistency
ND -~.-yk~~ ~ YTVA..- 49, 49, 49,
battles duly, hourly: the outer n
against the physical fatigue and hard
ships Ut the journey; the inner and
greater task. the unrelenting conflict
Of a man struggling against himself.
The first night they gencaInped on
the messy banks of a bubbling spring,
cold and clear, that, overlooking it's
bounds, trickled of and disappeared
among the trees, Tonti, on returning
from an exploring exDedition In h