Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-04-19

eyes that a gaZed upon him in pity
throughout his suffering and that he
now surprised filed with an ineffable
tenderness. And in his look she read
the meaning of his words; knew that
in some way the barrier had been
broken down. He seized her unresist-
ing hand, and at the touch his speech
found utterance.
Renee, my beloved" he whispered
gently, 81 am free at last to speak and
show you all that is in my heart: the
hopes, the yearnings, the striving for
better things, the struggle against UNI
worthy deeds, and, best and greatest OF
all, invading and surrounding aught
else, filling my heart and brain and
life--my love for you. To tell you OF
its beginning, kindled by the sight OF
your beauty, the touch Of your trem-
bling hand, Of it's growth and persist
nee despite my efforts to forget when
l found l could not proceed further
without dishonor. How greatly it was
intensified when l discovered you in
this wild land, alone, helpless, and in
danger; when l saw your courage and
strength mount to meet occasion; when
l beheld you. a gentle ministering
spirit, and felt the sweet comfort of
your tender plying service. To tell
you all will take a lifetime. All! mia
cara, let Inc hear from your lips what
your bushes, your glance, the pressure
of your hand tell me already"
Il love you" murmured Renee; then,
as though the sound of her W words
gave her courage, she raised her eyes
to his and went on more boldly: 81
love you, my true, brave knight, and
have ever since the days of our earli-
est meeting. 1t was for you | wept
the bitter tears at your departure; for
you | made this flag above us, al
though, perforce, l handed it to your
friend. 1t was for love of you, when
obliged to leave France, that l braved
the wild seas and unknown land. For
love of you my heart well-nigh broke
when | thought you unworthy; for you
it beat afresh when / knew you true.
Do not think, my love, that have not
seen your trial and struggle. 1t has
been my joy, understanding all, to
watch how fine and noble was the
strife, how complete the victory.
would not have had you false to La
Sale, for in keeping faith with him
did you honor me. Nor need you tell
me of your love, for I have heard it
already. Through the long, dark
watches have l listened to your plead
ings, to your praise. Night after night
have | heard your dear voice continu-
cusly murmuring my name; hour after
hour have | spent in learning what
your ideal was, and oh! my lover, how
bitter has been the realization of how
far short l come of being that which
you believe me to be-"
The solitary canoe that Tonti hat
watched drew near to the landing. Its
occupant disembar!led and approached
the fort. A few moments later the
boyish voice of the Sieur de Boisrondet
rang across the ydru.
"Capitaine Tonti! A messenger from
Quebec as he quickly approached the
lovers on the rampant. "A messenger
from Quebec, bringing dispatches
One is for you personally. | though
l would bring it at once. Those per.
tanning to official business the cheva
lier will discuss with you later"
Tonti recognized the %scrawling writ
ing of Frontenac on the outside of thu
large oblong package. He opened 1t
and out fell a document bearing thu
royal seal. With it was a letter tina
read as follows:
Mon cher Tonti-I have good news TO,
o Colbert is dead. The king, m
longer under his influence, hastens t.
make amends for o IL fathers crue
treatment n to reward your bold en-
deavors for him in the wilds of New
France. ! send you the royal commits
sion granting you unlimited rights t,
trade, and appointing vol commander-in
chief Of all the forces of the king in tn
Mississippi valley, together with tn
powers of governor SHARED in by L;
Salle) of all additions to the royal do
main that by right of settlement or e.
ploration you may acquire. You are t
receive a salary of 5000 livres. On tn
other hand, If you prefer to return t
France, Louis has promised me to Great
o a comte and transfer to you the pos
sessions that your enemy Miron fell hei
to two months ago by the death Of al
uncle, and which have been declare,
forfeited to the crown. My affairs ar
again hopeful and I expect ere long t
be returned to Quebec. Should you eve
by any chance meet with the fair donnee
convey to her my best desires n Civ
her for me-a fatherly kiss.
LOUIS DE BUADE,
Comte de Frontenac.
Tonti's mind ran rapidly over tn
situation; to return meant wealth
honor, the kings favor, and all tina
he had thought when there wort
striving for. To remain meant tn
giving up Of the g~littering vanity an
polluted pleasures of the court, Will
there would abide with him the Dol
free existence that he now loved; tn
life work before him of building up tn
noble fabric of a e realm;-an
Renee, she for whom he would hav
turned aside the preferred riches an
honors Of the world and thought
cheap.
He handed the letter to her to rea
and watched her face with a smile Q
loving tenderness. She finished an
looked up. "Your choice, my lord!
she demanded. For answer Toni
gently drew her to him. and murmui
ing, "There is but one" fulfilled I
his own satisfaction the last reques
Of Frontenac.
He then pulled at a cord fastene
about his neck and drew forth a small
fiat object wrapped carefully in ollie
silk. He undid it before Renee's won