The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-07-16

Yes, mademolsene," answered.
my lips dry, my eyes riveted on her
face.
yet you still claim not to be the
same Joseph Hayward whom l have
known"
Il 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 we'll; have it 80 then.
do not in the least believe you, but
am going to speak exactly as If l did.
I am a girl, alone, and must turn to
you for help. It makes no difference
now If l am of Indian blood and an.
cestry, l am here alone with you. I
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 I
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-
my father"
She leaned forward, resting her
hands on the table, for support, the
veins in her throat throbbing.
Il wish you would at least confess a
knowledge of my tongue" she almost
pleaded. 1T is not in English 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." replied
politely. But l possess small under
standing Of French"
Her eyes darkened Indignantly, and
she made forceful gesture indicative
of her true thought of me.
"You continue to act your part WE'LL"
she said scornfully, "even when there
is no longer necessity. Bah!
despise this play acting! 1t is unwor-
thy soldier So you would have me
tell over what you already know; you
would make me stand here and suf-
fer"
"Mademoiselle," interrupted swift
ly, II ask nothing. All I seek is the
opportunity Of service. There is no
truth l am going to deny. To prove
1t 1 will say this-you have remained
in my memory since the first hour we
met. l 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. I 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 was in her eyes.
what is the use of our talking like
this?" she said impetuously. "'T is as
though we exchanged compliments in
/ Montreal. Instead we are in the will
derness, with danger all about us. You
are what you are, monsieur. and I am
a woman of the Wyandots. Let all
else pass; care nothing whether your
thoughts Of me be good or evil. am
what am; what birth and conditions
have made me. All appeal to in you
Is whatever Of manhood you may still
! retain. tell you my story, because
you swear you know it not; then lis.
ten. and you shall. No, do not move,
but hear me; l would not do this with.
out reason"
She glanced aside at Schultz, and
then into the red embers of the fire
her eyes coming slowly back to rest
on my face.
II am Rene D'Auvray, and my father
lies dead there In the next room. He
was all had in the world, yet knew
little enough of him. He spoke seldom
OF his past life even to me. Still,
have much reason to believe that in
his younger days he was intimate al
the French court. I know he was g
soldier, an ofacer of the kings guard
decorated for bravery. He never told
me why he was exiled to this land
Cash paid for clean cotton rags al