The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-02-23
~
pa ROSE OF "a
NORMANDY
WILLIAM z. 4 WILSON
2 81
CHAPTER xIII.-CoNrINuED.

CHAPTER XIII.-CoNTINUED.
Just then the sound of the crowd
interrupted Tonti's reply. From the
Convent Of the Ursulines, where they
had passed the night, issued the pro-
cession of 80 girls with Madame Bour-
o at their head. who had come over
in the Saint Honore" with La Sale
and Tonti. Two by two they marched
with clasped hands. The suitors
ceased suddenly their clamor, and
quickly formed a lane, down which the
maidens passed, watching with fur
tive glances the faces OF thei. future
husbands. These in turn stove to
make their choice at a glance, and
soLie, leaning toward the moving dam
sells, whispered: "Wait for me, Jean
Bedu. l have three rooms in my
house, and 20 arpents of land all
cleared" Or, "Take none but me; I
am your Pierre, and live but n and
q half leagues from Quebec. You will
he safe from the Indians with me-"
or again, Delay your choice, ma pc
'tite. for me, the ~tallest, strongest of
them all. l a drink a pint of raw
brandy and never show it, or throw a
haif-grown buck with ease. and can
get more furs in a month than the rest
in a season. You will make no mis-
take, I am a bon garcon."
Tonti and his companion were in
an excellent position to enjoy the
scene. Here they come, the future
mothers of New France" were the
nnnr1ytpo urNr.N - 1oo~I ssUyoI,1 n -
Hest M. lie Comte does not lose you in
the nea of matltmony."
mo fear" replied Tontj. "You see
! have no chance; there are but so
wives to be, while there ale four times
rs many wooer Besides, we are far
ther off than they: all ths best maids
would be taken before I could reach
them"
"True," murmured Madame BLIZZARD,
"yol would deserve only the best"
Then In a lower tone she added, as she
gently touched his hand hanging at
his side, 1--WE can probably find one
to Your taste n more to your deserts
in Quebec itself"
The contact of the warm hand that
fingered against his own thrilled the
young man. and he was about to turn
sleeve was plucked, and a voice NUT
tered in his ear, "Bewsre!" and look
ing over his shoulder he beheld the
form OF Pompon, who looked at him
earnestly, and then, with q significant
glance at the young woman beside
him. disappeared In the crowd.
Tonti recalled with a start all that
Pompon had told him at daybreak,
and realized that the enemy was at
work and that he had his part t. play
In the game, too. so with an admiring
glance he whispered: II fear all such
are taken"
A square space was marked out upon
the surface Of the plate by a success
sion of hewn logs, faid end to end.
Within this Enclosure only the pros
pective wives and eager SWANS we're
admitted. Then ensued a scene of
merriment and interest for the on
lockers. One ill-favored sutton, select
Ing from choice tho least attractive
Of the young women, partly because
he knew he would have little chance
among the fairer ones, partly because
he felt there would be less trouble with
her from other men after marriage,
hurried of toward the church Of the
Recollets, within which a number OF
priests were awaiting the happy
couples, while a notary sat at the door
ready to do a thriving business. One
particularly desirable lass, whose
comely features were accompanied by
. physique indicating great endurance
and strength Of muscle, was instantly
besieged by SO great q multitude OF
admirers that she fed to Madame
Bourbon, who restored order amongst
them and made the wooers advance
n at q time and each give his name,
residence and amount Of worldly pos
Sessions.
There they are" remarked Madame
BLIZZARD in a half-contcmptuous tone, "a
Ane collection Of healthy cattle. Walk
up. : Messieursl varieticp for all
.astesl the tall. the short. the dark,
hsrlight ~ fAt, ~ thu. Poke then,