Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-07-31
chance to get away and we dare no'
shoot, nor build a fire.

shoot; nor build a fire.
What is it, monsieur"
why, we have nothing to eat,
Rene" l admitted reluctantly. "It is
a long journey to the Ohio, and how
are we to keep from starving?s Faithi
but l am near that now"
She stood before me, slender, erect,
the blanket draped about her, her eyes
lowered.
sieur." she said simply, as If it was
all the most ordinary thing in the
world 81 knew not what would hap
pen, and there was food there. When
the women ran away, and l would not
go, because you told me not, 1 knew
it would be best that 1 take some. You
do not blame me, monsieur"
"Blamei you are a jewel; but l see
nothing of it! Where"
"'Tis here, monsieur; 1 am glad If
I please you"
She flung aside the blanket, drop
ping it to the ground, revealing a
black ammunition bag strapped across
liz oLOulOSls GU ~ AOOA
ing it when I held her in my arms.
vaguely wondering what it was. She
~unclasped and opened it.
Monsieur must eat" she said grave
ly, "and sleep. Then he will be strong
again."
l tried to do as she said, munching
a few mouthfuls. Her actions, her
words, her manner toward me, both
bewildered and angered. She had as
sumed the part of a servant-chosen
it, as if she would thus teach me my
own place. In every possible way she
showed me she was not there from
choice, but necessity. l lay back, toy
ing with the food, my appetite gone.
The wounded horse had been down to
the river and drank; now he was paw
ing the snow in an effort to discover
feed. Over in the east, but some dis
lance off, a rifle cracked ominously in
the silence. My head fell back against
the bank, and / was sound asleep.
1t was two days later when we toiled
up a long hill, and came out upon the
summit. 1 no longer needed to lead
the horse, and was %plodding along
YEARLY behind. Much of the snow
had, melted. leaving the soil soft, and
the trees appeared bare, phantomlike,
against the sky. Rene rode silently.
wrapped in her blanket, for the air
was chill and damp, her head bent,
her eyes straight ahead. have no
remembrance that we had spoken for
an hour. Beyond the hill summit
there was an escarpment of rock, Civ
ing an open view ahead. AS 1 gazed
off, over the trees below, my heart
gave a great bound-there, scarce a
mile away, flowing between leagues of
forest, was the broad Ohio, it's waters
silvery in the SIN. l turned to her
and pointed.
"At last, Rene" / cried, forgetting.
I'VE are safe now; see! There is the
river"
She lifted he's ayes and looked.
Eyes, monsieur"
why do you ever speak to me in
that tone? You answer me always as
if you were my servant"
"Your servant" She was looking al
me now. Am l not, monsieur"
"Of course you are not. You are
free; whatever put that in your head!
l haven't known what to think, what
to do since we have been together
Back on the Maumee II thought you
loved me-"
81 do love you, monsieur"
"You-you love me-" l stammered
And yet bear yourself as you do"
Eyes, monsieur; how else could
do? You are white; l am an Indian
rs that.all! You think that makes
it different? Rene, I love you; out
yonder is my home; l would take yot
there; l would say to those who know
me-here is my wife"
"Your-your wife!" There wa.
doubt, questioning in her eyes.
Eyes, of course; how could yol
think otherwise?"
"Oh, monsieur, how could I know
How could l believe? l was an IndiaI
girl, a Wyandot. 1t is not so the white
men come to u villages. l have seer
them-the ~red-coats, the traders o
France. They take with the stron,
hand, and then laugh, and go away
Then you came and grasped me, ant
said get into the canoe. i tried to no
go, but you said yes, / must. 70,
did not ask me, monsieur-you spok,
stern, angry. / was frightened, l dar'
not say no SO l did as you said-I wa
your prisoner; you had taken me a
the warriors of the Wyandots take tn
maidens of the Ojibwas."
"Then If that was SO, why did yol
not leave me-that night the Indian
passed US in camp?"
Her cheeks famed.
I'll cuold not, monsieur love-
YOU
And now?-now you will go wit
me down there-a prisoner no longer
but my own?"
Always and forever"
Always and forever" 1 answere
gravely.
There was something new, wonder
full in the depths of the dark eyes tina
looked into mine. / saw her hand
clasp the white cross at her throa'
then they were held out to me.
81 am so glad, monsieur" she sal
softly. $50 glad!"
), THE END.
- z5HN- 1