The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-02-23

room. Tontl assented, and, after
throwing a wrap about his compan-
ions shoulders, passed with her
through n Of the open windows. The
first turn was made in silence. Then
as they stopped a moment and looked
out over the Lower Town at their feet,
the woman spoke low and indistinctly:
"And SO you are going to leave to-
morrow. Are you glad?"
ma fol! yes" was the frank answer
Tomorrow begins the work l have
set out to do. l hasten toward it,"
"And Is there nothing in a mans
life beside his work." came in pettish
tones from the depths Of the hood be-
side him.
"Ah, yes, Cielo!" he replied, with a
spark of mischief in his eye. There
Is honor, and n other-love."
The feminine figure gave a little start
at this, and, drawing nearer, waited
for him to continue.
yes, a mans love comes next to his
honor. I shall therefore have feelings
of regret as well at leaving civilization
and friends behind, and shall begrudge
each westward step that takes me fur
ther from the desire of my heart, the
idol of my Dreams" and unnoticed by
his friend, he looked in the direction
of the ocean and blew a kiss toward
France, that the wind caught up and
carried off far into tie night.
"You know, then, what it is TO lover"
came to his ear in soft, caressing tones.
ITO love, ah! that it is to live" pur-
sued Tonti, as he dreamily watched a
spark rise from a chimney, mount high
upon the wings of the breeze, and then
die slowly out. "Yes, it is the wine of
life, that gives one strength and pur-
pose; the bread Of the hearts exist
ence. What other food is there that
does not moulder and decay? The
very air, the only air upon which the
soul can subsist, for are not all else
but noxious vapors and unwholesome
fumes?"
The woman's blood surged to her
temples and blinded her eyes In q red
dening flash she reeled unsteadily a
moment; her breath came in uncon-
scious, noiseless gasps. The end she
had labored for in vain seemed sud
denly to burst in sight; she had but
to reach forth and grasp 1t. One des-
perate effort and 1t would be hers.
"Ah! Henri, my love" she murmured,
as she nestled closer with her head
upon his breast, why did you not tell
me sooner! l could have arranged it
all. But 1T is not too late" Then turn
ing up her face, she spoke rapidly and
with impetuous earnestness. Come,
give up your plans for the morrow;
leave the danger and exposure and the
glory II you will for others; let them
be lost in the wilderness, but do you
remain, for l love you, love you. love
you! Flee with me tonight. l have q
canoe and well-paid servants awaiting
us. An hours time will see us half.
way to BEAUFORT. Near by is a seigni-
ory held by q friend of the ~intendant's.
have done much for Duchesneau, no
will do much for me. / have a letter
from him here'-she tapped her bosom
that will gain for us the protection
needed. We can stay at this seigniory
until La Sale has started and the
storm is over. The intendant will give
us a large grant Of land-he will
help us--I have saved some little mon
ey. Come. mon cher. with me; there
is still time:" and at the end Of this
passionate outburst she seized Tonti
by n hand and with the othsr ca
ressed HIS cheek.
The young man heard the ws1an's
ynice. bur compIehended not a. irst
The meaning q her .speenh- His nrss