The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1914-06-25

VIM - ". monsieur
why, we have nothing 10 eat
Rene" admitted reluctantly. TT Il
long journey to the Ohio. and how
are we to keep from starvingf Faith
but am near that now"
She stood before me. slender, erect
the blanket draped about her. her eyes
lowered.
ut was mine to remember. mon
sieur." she said simply. as II II was
all the most ordinary thing in the
world. Il knew not what would hap
pen. and there was food there When
the women ran away. and | would not
go. because you told me not knew
1t would be best that take some. You
do not blame me. monsieur"
"Blamel you are a jewel; but I see
nothing OF i'll where"
TITS here. monsieur; am glad II
please you"
She flung aside the blanket. drop
ping II to the ground, revealing a
black ammunition bag strapped across
her shoulder. | remembered now feel
Ing 1t when I held her in my arms.
vaguely wondering what 1t was. She
unclasped and opened 1t.
Monsieur must eat" she said grave.
ly, "and sleep. Then he will be strong
again"
/ tried to do as she said. munching
q few mouthfuls. Her actions, her
words, her manner toward me, both
bewildered and angered. She had as
sumed the part of servant-chosen
II. as II she would thus teach me my
own place. In every possible way she
showed me she was not there from
choice, but necessity. 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 I'm an effort TO discover
feed. Over in the east, but some dis
lance of, rife 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 long hill, and came out upon the
summit. | 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, phantom-like,
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
Pn hour. Beyond the hill summit
there was an escarpment OF rock, Civ
Ing an open view ahead As | 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. fits waters
sllvery in the sun. | turned TO her
and pointed.
AT last. Rene" ! cried. forgetting.
1--WE are safe now: see. There is the
river"
She lifted her eyes and looked.
Yes. monsieur"
why do you ever speak to me in
that tone? You answer me always as
II you were my servant"
Your servant" She was looking at
me now. Am ! 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 IL thought you
loved me-"
81 do love you. monsieur"
"You-you love me-" | stahmered
And yet bear yourself as you do?"
Yes, monsieur; how else could |
do' You are white; am an Indfnn"
Is that all! You think that makes
1t different? Rene. love you; out
yonder is my home; would take you
there; l would say to those who know
is my wife"
"Your-your wife!" There was
doubt, questioning in her eyes.
Yes, of course; how could you
think otherwise?"
oh monsieur, how could | know? |
How could believe? | was an Indian |
girl, Wyandot II is not so the white |
men come TO our villages. ] have seen |
them-the red-coats, the traders of |
France. They take with the strong
hand, and then laugh, and go away.
Then you came and grasped me. and |
said get into the canoe. tried to not |
90, but you said yes. l must. You
did not ask me. monsieur-you spoke
stern. angry. | WIS frightened. dare
aot say no. 30 did as you said was |
your prisoner; you had taken me as
he warriors OF the Wyandots take the
OF the Ojibwas." s-
Then II that was so, why did you
not leave me-that night the Indians
passed US In campi"
Her cheeks famed
IL cuold not. monsisur+ loved
vou."
-And nowi-nov you win go with
ne down thero-a prisoner no longer.
put ny ownf"
Always and forever7"
always and forever" I answered
sravely.
There was something new, wonder
'ul in the depths OF the dark eyes that
ooked into mine. | saw her hands
,lasp the white cross at her throat,
hen they were held out to me.
Il am so glad. monsieur" abe ssid