The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-05-04

SPENT MANY HOURS HARANGUING
THE CHIEFS.
ness of th~ Indian lodges and did what
he could to alleviate the sufferings Of
those already i'll. At this %juncture re
received a letter from the command
ant Of The fort at Michilimackinac,
who had always been friendly to La
Sale and his projects. in this he
said that the return of many bands Of
coureurs-de-bois had rendered the po-
sition Of Renee a very trying one, as
her beauty attracted much unwelcome
attention and suggested that she be
sent, together with two of the nuns,
10 Fort st. Louis.
Tonti, although knowing that her
advent would NEAR further trials for
himself, gladly consented. realizing
the need he had just then for nurses,
and expecting the return of La Sale
shortly, believed it would be agree
able to him to find her there. He ac-
cordingly dispatched Pompon with two
canoe to bring the party to the fort.
He awaited their arrival with impa-
thence. The months that had elapsed
since parting with Renee had been
months of activity that prevented him
from feeling the full hopelessness and
regret of his situation. But ever
amidst his busiest moments would
come the thought Of her stealing upon
find himself wondering as to her safe
ty and happiness. He timed the rate
of Pompon's journey carefully.
The day dawned on which, If no de-
lay had occurred, they ought to reach
their journeys end. Never before had
the sun shone so brightly upon the
silken folds Of the lily banner Of
France on the staff Of the fort. Never
before had the sound Of birds calling
to their mates seemed quite SO clear
and musical, nor the sight of the awak-
ened happy life at his feet quickened
his pulse with SO much satisfaction as
he realized what had already been ac-
complished. He fell to wondering II
she would approve of everything that
he had done and half wished that he
had but a few days more in which to
do a hundred little things that would
make still further for the success Of
the undertaking. He visited for the
twentieth time the commodious lodge
within the walls Of the fort that had
been set aside for the occupation Of
the women, to see II the place were in
good order. He had prepared soft
touches for them, formed of layers of
mingled leaves and pine needles GOV
cred over with q number Of furs.
The table and chairs, the saving and
making of which he had supervised,
were in their places, while the walls
were festooned with punches of wild
flowers the Indian children had gath
cred at his instigation. His final sur
vey saw that everything was ready:
1t vas indeed a ft bower for a forest
queen.
About noon from his lofty station
he caught sight of two tiny specks far
away up the river, and he knew that
they were coming. Entering his Ca
noe. he seized his paddles and set out
to meet them. His heart was light
as he heard the music of the water
OCAC0Lu Ills plOW. II0 uAu LCGn hDI6
to rescue her again from a position
Of discomfort and peril; perhaps other
opportunities for serving her would
arise. He hoped they would, for her
service was his delight. He sang rs
he sped along; sang ha~lf-forgotten
songs Of deeds Of war and glory, Of
fair women and gallant lovers. But he
raoItznd thof hn nloC on,t1I vn0t Cnooly
the words that were ready to fall from
his lips, words Of love, of tenderness,
and of devotion that must not be ut
tered. He schooled his tongue to keep
silence, but he knew he could not con-
troll his heart, which would beat to
the tune Of loves own music despite
himself.
All animate nature seemed to re-
joice with him. The glad screaming
of the wild fowl winging their way
along the marshy edges of the stream,
the cries Of quail IN the u~nderbrush
far away. wen the hoarse cawing of
the crows from their perches on the
blasted limbs OF the forest came to
his ear In tones of sympathetic glad
ness. The whole world seemed in gala
attire as though to welcome a loved
monarch returning to his kingdom.
Soon they drew near. and he saw
the fash Of Pompon's signalling pad
die IN the air. He came alongside tho
canoe containing Renee. and perceived
with t~hankfulness the glow of health
on her cheek and the glad welcome
Of har eye that the words Of common
place gysetinss exchanred bstwesn tho