The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1906-05-25

0hobN- tsCb WtlG iiutJH W1llbl Il SIOOu
In the full blaze of the glory OF the
court or the delicious serenity OF
choisy nademoisclle, and they indeed
stirred what little portion Of my heart
there remained untitled by ambitious
schemes, and l thought I loved her.
But once the smell Of the forest and
the stream greeted me I realized that
had no room in my life for woman's
love, sweet and precious though 1t
might be to some. but that I was des-
tined for great achievements: deeds
OF CONQUEST ana discovery: deeds
wrought out In the solitude OF the
wilderness or about the council fires
OF a t~reacherous foe. For such a one
there can be no home, no domestic ties.
My heart goes out in pity for her, al
though 1t does not throb with love.
I trust she will find some one better
able to make her happy than I, for
she is certainly everything that is good
and estlmable. Were your affections
not already engaged in another direc-
ton l could not wish you a greater
blessing that that you yourself might
win her."
Tonti's hand trembled; a faintness
came over him as he realized the full
import Of the message.
Have you bad news?" asked Renee,
as she noticed his agitation.
1.-THE only news worth living for"
was TontPs reply. He tried to speak
further, but his lips were dumb. He
who through so many days had
schooled his tongue to silence, whose
full strength had been needed to keep
back In fierce repression the thou
sand loving words that came rushing
to his lips, found when the time came
and the seal was removed that the
springs of his eloquence were dry. He
looked into her eyes, those eyes that
had greeted him in maidenly confu-
sion from the depths of the sedan
chair; that had ~furtively followed him
throughout their later wanderings
with a look Of secret yearning; those
eyes that had gazed upon him in pity
throughout his suffering and that no
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, II 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 I'M
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 its growth and persist
ence despite my efforts to forget when
| found I could not proceed further
without dishonor. How greatly 1t was
intensified when I discovered you In
this wild land. alone, helpless, and in
danger; when I saw your courage and
strength mount to meet occasion; when
I 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 me hear from your lips what
your bushes, your glance, the pressure
of your hand tell me already"
81 love you," murmured Renee; then,
as though the sound of her own 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 I wept
the bitter tears at your departure; for
you l made this flag above us, al
though, p~erforce, I 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 I thought you unworthy; for you
1t beat afresh when I knew you true.
Do not think, my love. that l have not
seen your trial and struggle. It has
been my Joy, understanding all. to
watch how fine and noble was the
strife, how complete the victory. l
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 1t
already. Through the long, dark
watches have l listened to your plead
ings, to your praise. Night, after night
have I heard your dear voice continu-
cusly murmuring my name; hour after
hour have I spent in learning what
your Ideal was. and oh! my lover, how
bitter has been the realization Of how
far short I come of being that which
you believe me to be-"
The solitary canoe that Tonti had
watched drew near to the landing. Its
occupant disembarked and approached
the fort. A few moments later the
boyish voice of the sieur do Boisrondet
rang across the yard:
"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. thought