The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-03-31
CHAPTER Viii.
Mademoiseiie's Story.

that room 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, wom-
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
insistence 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-
leved me to be another man, pre-
tended British officer, traitor to her
people, a scoundrelly spy. Yet she
applied to him my name. That was
the strangest part Of 1t all.
Even as / started toward the open
door the girl herself appeared, out
lined against the candle fame. She
had bound up the loosened strands
of hair, and her dark eyes, dry and
fearless, looked straight at me.
uOUUI II 6uC Ed" OCuullZ al dli do DIG
came forward, stopping only as her
hand finally touched the table. AS
I watched her, my earlier deterni-
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 her
| effort at self-control. You confess to
| that name do YOU not?"
Yes, mademoiselle," I answered,
my lips dry, my eyes riveted on her
| face.
yet you still claim not to be the
same Joseph Hayward whom / have
known"
Il am an ensign in the army of the
United States, and have never worn
red coat"
She smiled, but the smile was not
altogether pleasant. Then she said
slowly, Very we'll; have it so 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. 1t makes no difference
now if l am of Indian blood and an
cestry, l am here alone with you. /
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
my father
She leaned forward, resting her
hands on the table, for support, the
veins in her throat throbbing.
II wish you would at least confess a
knowledge of my tongue" she almost
pleaded ut is not in English l think
monsieur, and it is difficult for me to
speak in that language"
| "It 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, an6
she made a forceful gesture indicative
of her true thought Of me.
"You continue to act your part well,
she said scornfully, even when there
| is no longer necessity. Bah!
], despise this play acting! 1t is unwor
thy a soldier. So you would have me
tell over what you already know; yol
would make me stand here and suf
I fer"
"Mademoiselle," | interrupted swift
ly, 81 ask nothing. All l seek is the
opportunity of service. There is NJ
truth l am going to deny. To prove
it will say this-you have remained
in my memory since the first hour We
met. | desire your trust, your friend
ship; whatever you may tell me vii
be held sacred, inviOlate. | will serve
YOU though YOU sneak no word. give