Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-06-04
CHAPTER VIII,
Mademoiselle's Story,

CHAPTER VIII.
Mademoiselle's Story.
In the intense silence, the gloom OF
that o lit only by those smolder.
ing embers, with Schultz sleeping un.
disturbed against the wall, my
thought could not be divorced from
the lonely girl sobbing above her
dead. Was she of dual nature, WON.
anly and savage by turn, as the in.
stincts of two races dominated her
action? Yet this could never account
for her distrust of me, her continued
i~nsistence upon having previously
known me. Ay! and she meant It!
There was no attempt at deceit, no
acting in all this; her full faith in
the charge was written upon her face,
found echo upon her lips. She be-
lieved me to be another man, a pre-
tended British officer, a traitor to her
people, a %scoundrelly spy. Yet she
applied to him my name. That was
the %strangest part Of it all.
Even as started toward the open
door the girl herself appeared, out
lined against the candle flame. Sue
had bound up the loosened strands
of hair, and her dark eyes, dry and
fearless, looked straight at me. l
doubt If she saw Schultz at all as she
came forward, stopping only as her
hand finally touched the table. AS
| watched her, my earlier determi-
nation died within me; l could only
wait in silence for her to speak.
Joseph Hayward" she said slowly,
the words rasping a little with ner
effort at ~self-control. you confess to
that name, do you not?"
yes, mademoiselle," ! answered,
my lips dry, my eyes riveted Oh her
face.
yet you still claim not to be the
same Joseph Hayward whom / have
known"
II am an ensign in the army of the
United States, and have never worn
a red coat"
She smiled, but the smile was not
altogether pleasant. Then she said
slowly, Very well; have it so then.
| do not in the least believe you, but
am going to speak exactly as if l did.
| am a girl, alone, and must urn to
you for help. It makes no difference
now If l am of Indian blood and an
cestry, / am here alone with you. l
have got to trust you, rely upon your
word, ask your aid. You claim to
know nothing Of me, or mine. That
there may be no possible mistake /
will tell you-tell you about him." she
pointed backward, with her hand, her
voice breaking, ''and-and about my
self. You shall know all, and then
you will dare pretend ignorance no
longer. Listen, monsieur. The man
lying dead yonder-murdered-was
my father"
She leaned forward, resting her
hands on the table, for support. the
veins in her throat t%hrobbing.
Il wish you would at least confess a
knowledge of my tongue" she almost
pleaded. 1T is not Ia English l think.
monsieur, and it is difficult for me to
speak in that language"
1T would be a pleasure to confess
anything that would aid you'll replied
politely. But l possess small under
standing of French"
Her eyes darkened Indignantly, and
she made a forceful gesture indicative
of her true thought Of me.
You continue to act your part WE'LL"
she said scornfully, even when there
is nj longer q necessity. Bah! /
despise this play acting! 1t is unwor-
thy a soldier. So you would have me
tell over what you already know; you
would make me stand here and suf-
fer"
"Mademoiseller interrupted swift.
ly, Il ask nothing. All I seek is the
opportunity of service. There is nj
truth ! am going to deny. To prove
1t | will say this--you have remained
in my memory since the first hour we
met. I desire your trust, your friend.
ship; whatever you may tell me will
be held sacred, inviolate. | will serve
you though you speak no word, give
no explanation. beg the privilege"
I thought she would never speak,
standing there before me in the dim
light, swaying slightly, her bosom ris.
ing and falling with quick breathing. A
great sympathy welled up in my heart,
and all unconsciously, l extended my
hands. She must have seen them, but
she made no response, but the glitter
of unshed tears wal in her eyes.
What is the use Of III talking like
this?" she said ~impetuously. ct is as
though we exchanged compliments in
Montreal. Instead we are in the will
d~erness. with danger all about us. You
are what you are, monsieur, and l am