Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1906-02-15

Would not listen. Let my red sister De
strong Let her soul rise above sorrow.
Smooth-Tongue IS unworthy of her
thoughts; therefore let her forget him.
Otter-Lifter is brave and humane, and
his heart signs for Starlight"
The maiden made no answer, and soon
after Rosalthe and Monon left the lodge
and walked into the forest together.
They had gone but a short distance
from the village when they were met by
lie Bland. He assumed an easy, assured
and arrogant tone.
81 trust you will be kind to-day" he
said to Rosalthe.
"Our cousin of the Wyandots talks
but little" replied Monon.
$50 1 should think" added the French
man. "She seems to be perfect mute.
Is the gift Of speech denied her? /
would speak a few words to you," con-
tinued the Frenchman, again address
ing Rosalthe, but in a more respectful
tone.
Speak on" she replied, Disgusting her
voice as much as possible.
For moment the Frenchman was 81
lent; significant, sarcastic smile played
over his features.
think; reflect one single moment. Is
there not some secret connected with
your present situation which you might
not wish to be known in certain quar-
ters?" replied lie Bland.
"None in which | wish you to feel in
terested," returned Rosalthe. az do not
wish to have any further conversation
with you"
'There is a place called Boonesbor-
ough," said the Frenchman, and a fam
lily there by the name of Aston" he
continued.
Our heroine made no rejoinder, but
felt herself trembling in every limb.
"Mr Aston had fair daughter whose
name was ROsalthe."
Il know what you would say replied
Rosalthe. Il knew the words that hang
upon your lips for utterance. What my
present situation may be, it cannot be
bettered by you. 1 would not trust my
self with one who has proved himself
so recreant to all that is honorable"
"You speak proudly and bitterly"
Rosalthe Aston. Captivity has not
turned your haughtiness and intractibil-
ity of spirit. find you just the same
but more cold, if possible. 1t was your
fathers wish that you should cultivate
a far different department toward one
who is willing to be your slave"
Monsieur LIE Bland, the time has
passed when such language could be re-
ceived with even a semblance of cour-
tesy. Since your true character has
been revealed to me in the light of day,
and there can no longer be doubt in
relation to that subject, L shrink from
you with unspeakable repugnance."
at has come to this, them exclaimed
LIE Bland. "You speak out at last you
throw aside the fiimsy mask imposed
by respect to your parents, and stand
before me as you are; and l cast off
mine The period of assimilation has
gone forever. Gentle speech and the
soft fooleries of love cannot affect you;
1 must WOO you as the gallant knights
of oden times sometimes wooed fair
ladies-by sterner arts"
81 cannot for a moment doubt your
inclination to commit any species of vii
lainy, since you have betrayed those who
have loaded you with Kindness Alas!
those most dear to me may already be
bleeding in savage hands: Boonesbor-
ough may even now be wrapped in
| flames.
Eyes; Boonesborough is invested by
a great army. Du Quesne has sat down
| before it: it is threatened by fire and
water. Many of its defenders have fall
| en-. All faces there are as white as those
| of the sheeted dead; all hearts feel the
| icy touch of despair. Women and chill
| dren are quaking with horror; tears flow
| like rain; cries and prayers go up to
| heaven like a burden Of terrible agony"
said lie Bland.
"And you, the author of this great
| wrong, can speak of it calmly cried
| Rosalthe. 81 would that l could see this
| Captain Du Quesne. l would throw my
self at his feet and entreat him to have
mercy on the helpless and the innocent"
| But little would you move him." re-
Piled lie Bland, with sarcastic smile.
Il know him better than you"
eff he can bring such misery on
| Boonesborough, he is not a man; he is a
| fend."
HE was ready to fire the station
when l came from there"
| ''Merciful heaven. How cruel is the
| heart of mani exclaimed Rosalthe
There is yet a solitary hope of saw
| ing Boonesborough, although invested
by four hundred savages, led by Du
| Quesne and stimulated by the arts of
| Girty and Mckee"
What is that hope?" asked Rosalthe.
at is hope as slender as the finest
thread ever spun into the wool of spid-
er's web"
"Name it-be quickr'
ut is a hope fainter than the breath
of the dying zephyr. 1t is a hope as dis
tant as the far-of planets; as cold as the
frozen ocean"
Rosalthe chung convulsively to Monon
for support. looking wildly at lie Bland.
at is this: If you will listen to the
wishes of your father (and duty to par
ents is strictly enjoined in the Book of
Books, the army shall be withdrawn
from Boonesborough," said the French
man calmly, bending upon Rosalthe a
keen and penetrating glance.
Can this man be trusted?' she ex-
claimed. at is terrible to think of being
his wife,
and is there not sometime, equally
appalling in the fate of Boonesbor-
ough?" asked the Frenchman, whose
hopes in this new device momentarily
grew stronger.
Il doubt your power to do this. Bring
me face to face with Captain Du
Quesne," returned Rosalthe
You have your wish; 1 am Captain
Du Quesne," answered lie Bland, draw
ing himself up proudly and smiling cold.
ly at the amazed expression that passed
over the face of Miss Aston.
you Du Quesne?' cried the latter
Aye, Miss Aston, l am that mon
ster," was the ironical rejoinder.
1T has only required this declaration
to make my repugnance complete. II
You have no other condition to offer
Boonesborough must indeed perish"
returned Rosalthe, in despairing accents
Think of those you love; have re
spect to the gray hairs of your father
TO cherished wishes of the kindest Of
mothers. To know the danger to which
your friends are exposed, you must e
| with me Won rnuSt lOOl- unOn naint