Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-08-13

why, we nave nOtning TO eat,
Rene" l admitted reluctantly. ut 10
a long journey to the Ohio, and how
are we to keep from starving? Faith!
but / am near that now"
She stood before me. slender, erect,
the blanket draped about her. her eyes
lowered.
1T was mine to remember, mon
sieur." she said simply. as II 1t 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 I would not
go, because you told me not, I knew
1t would be, best that l take some. You
do. not blame me. monsieur
Blame! you are a Jewel; but ] see
nothing Of 1t! Where"
IT'S here, monsieur; I am glad II
l please YOU"
She flung aside the blanket, drop
ping 1t to the ground, revealing o
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
u~nclasped and opened II.
Monsieur must eat" she said grave
ly, and sleep. Then he will be strong
again."
/ 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
1t, 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. l lay back. toy
ing with the food, my appetite gone.
The wounded horse had been down to
the river n dldrank; nov he was paw
ing the snow in an effort to discover
feed. Over In the east, but some dis
lance of, a 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 a 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
an hour. Beyond the hill summit
there was an escarpment Of rock, Civ.
ing an open view ahead. As l gazed
of, yer the trees below, my heart
gave a great bound-there, scarce a
mile away. flowing between leagues Of
forest, was the broad Ohio, its waters
silvery in the SUM-. l turned to her
and pointed.
AT last, Rene" l cried, forgetting.
1--WE are safe now; see! There ID 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
il you were my servant"
Your servant" She was looking at
me now. "Am I not, monsieur" 1
"Of cours you are not. You are
free; whatever put that in your head?
haven't known what to think, what
to do since we have been together.
Back on the Maumee ~ thought you
loved me-"
II do love you, monsieur"
"You-you love me-" / stammered.
And yet bear yourself as you do!"
Yes, monsieur; how else could I
do? You are white; I am an Indian"
is that ALI You think that makes
it different? Rene. I love you; out
yonder is my home; I would take you
there; / would say to those who know
me-here Is my wife,"
"Your7-your wife!" There was
doubt. questioning in her eyes.
Yes, Of course; how could you
think otherwise?"
I "Oh, monsieur, how could know?
How could + believe? | was an Indian
girl, a Wyandot. 1t is not go 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 90 away.
Then you came and grasped me, and
said get into the canoe. Iitried to not
60, but you said yes, l must. You
did not ask me, monsieur-you spoke
stern, angry. l was frightened, / dare
not say no, so ! did as you said-I was
your prisoner; you had taken me as
the warriors Of the Wyandots take the
maidens OF the Ojibwas.'
"Then II that al so. why did you
not leave me-that night the INDIANS
passed us in campo"
Her cheeks famed.
I'll cuold not. monsieur--1 loved
YOU"
And now?-now you will go with
me down there-a prisoner no longer.
but my owng'
Always and f~orever?'
Always and forever" I answered
gravely.
There was something new. wonder.
full in the depths Of the dark eyes that
looked into mine. saw her hands
clasp the white ros at her throat.
then they we're held out to me.
Il am s % glad, monsieur" she said
softly. $50 glad"
THE END.
s.sSSas