The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-06-25

it revenge? Robbery? felt in the
pocket of the loose blouse, finding
nothing, but my eye caught the glim-
mer of a medal fastened to the front
of the shirt. unpinned it, and held it
up to the light of the torch, studying
out the French inscription, letter by
letter, half guessing at its meaning-it
was a medal Of honor, given for special
gallantry in action at Fontenoy to
Capt. Raoel D'Auvray.
stood staring at 1t, and then down
into the face Of the dead man. DAuv-
ray: Her name! The same name she
had given me! The face of the girl
came back instantly to memory, dis
tinct, living. There was familiarity,
q resemblance. now that l thus con-
nected the two together. She had told
me her father was French Officer
but dead. killed in action. Perhaps she
thought SO; had been deceived into
this belief. Yet was convinced now
that this was the man; that he had
been living up to few hours before,
and had met his fate here in the will
derness by Z foul and treacherous
blow. Her fatheri The knowledge
seemed to shock me, to leave me help
less; could not divorce my mind
from the remembrance Of the daugh-
ter. Where would she be that night
Safe 1T Harmar? or In the dark woods
with 0irty? Did she know about this
hidden cabin? This island render
vous? Surely this could be NO mere
coincident of name and history. yet
what was the mystery that enveloped
both? Why was this Captain D'Auv-
ray hiding here. and why did she deny
that he was still living? The more l
thought. the more tangled grew the
skein. Brady called me, and stepped
back into the other reom. still daxed,
grasping the medal in my hand.
We'll, what IL IT." he asked grufI.
ly. What have you found out?"
l told him briefly, describing the ap-
pearance Of the body, and handing him
the medal. He turned 1t over in the
light of the torch.
French. amt IT. What does 1t
sayT
AN army { coration for gallant con.
duct given to Capt. Raoel DAuvray.
Fifth Cuirassiers."
You think it belonged to him."
"Beyopl doubt; 1t was pinned to
his shirt-the one thing he treasured
in his exile"
"D'Auvray," he repeated, as II the
name had familiar sound. i've heard
Of him before. Wait a bit; now have
THE commanded Hamilton's Indians
at Vincennes when Clark took the
town. l saw him once"
He got to his feet with my help. and
braced himself in the doorway, looking
intently at the upturned face. as held
the torch extended.
That's the man." he said soberly. II
remember the white beard; some one
told me the Wyandots called him the
white chief And he was in the French
army? An omcer1 Poor devil!
wonder what happened to drive him to
this"
He stared about among the shadows
at the miscellaneous articles lfttering
the shed. his trained eyes noting things
I had overlooked in my excitement.
HE was murdered all right, lad" he
commented slowly. and by . white
man. This was not Injun work. Here
IL the imprint of . boot heel; you can
even see the nails. That's odd; didn't
suppose there was q boot worn in this
country except by British officers.
What is that red garment lying on the
box3 l thought SO; an English in
fantry jacket. made in London, and 1t
never belonged to D'Auvray." He held
1t up. 1T was big fellow who wore
this coat. about your Size"
drew up the bench, and sat down.
There IL more to this than you have
discovered. Brady" said, determined
to explain. Did you chance to see q
French girl back at Fort Harmar?"
He shook his head.
Not a. l remember: who was she :"
THAT Is what would like to know.
I hoped you might have picked up
some information. She was at General
Harmar's ofae-a young girl, not
much over twenty. should Judge,
with dark eyes and hair, speaking
broken English, her dress half Indian
and half border French. She was one
IN thousand, to my thought. What
name do you suppose she gave me?"
His eyes. interested, questioned me,
but he sat silent
Rene D'Auvray; and she explained
her father was a French oficer, killed
in battle"
And her mother?"
"A woman OF the Wyandots, but q
half-breed.''
| "D'Auvray! The same as the dead
man yonder! And he was a soldier.
| It 10 an odd case. What else do you
know about herr"
Precious little. indeed, for she
seemed an adept in deceit She even
pretended to know me, and actually
spoke my nam6 before 1t had been told
her. How she ever learned it is more
than can guess. The little mink is
full Of tricks. but plays them so saHci-
~ 1t was not in my heart to become
angry. BY heavens! one glance in her
eyes would disarm any man"