Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-05-07
CHAPTER discontinued.

| BTltlSn general, ftdHllllOU. nay WARY
guides him TO the fort.
CHAPTER ;!-continued.
II do not trust the villain, but I'll
hear his tale. | may need you, Mr.,
Hayward; remain there in the back
room until | call.
l could see no door.
Where, sir?"
in the den, beyond: the robe hides
the entrance. If l need you ] will
call. The dog is coming now"
The interior Of this room which |
now entered for the first time was a
revelation to me. 1t was fitted up as
a lounging room, a den; yet bearing
more resemblance to the tepee or q
savage, than any abode of civilization
The trappings Of war, the tributes oil
the chase, we're everywhere In evil
dence. l saw all this with a single
glance as / shut the door, yet almost
with the instant, my entire
was riveted upon an occupant, and
stood motionless, scarcely crediting
my own eyes, as | stared across the
table at the couch against the farther
wall. 1t was in shadow, underneath
the window, draped by a yellow blan-
ket, and in one cushioned corner sat
a girl, her dark head bent low over
an open book. So intent was she upon
the pages that she had not heard my
entrance, or else remained Indifferent,
thinking me no stranger to the apart
ment.
She was young, scarcely out of her
girlhood from the clear profile OF her
cheek, olive-tinted in the shadow, with
a p~rofusion of hair black as night, and
a figure slender, but not tall. l moved
rafting the latch to attract attention
to my presence, yet the witch never
glanced up, turning a page of her book
laZily.
your pardon" l v%entured, and cap
in hand, advanced to the table nearer
her.
She came to her feet in an instant,
the book sliding to the floor, the long,
black lashes no longer shadowing the
dark eyes gazing toward me in sudden
interest. She was small, swift Of
movement as a forest hare, yet for
the instant l saw only her face, and
the unfathomable depths Of those eyes.
They were full of bewilderment. sur
prise, laughter. AS though some mys-
FERROUS message had passed between
US, / knew she was glad l had come.
"Why, monsieur" she exclaimed,
hesitating slightly over the words. 81
am startled! You should feel my
heart beat-so fast. / thought 1t the
| general, yes-who else? But I new
aire see you before; you-you are an
officer of the Americains?"
Yes, l belong to this garrison. But
the surprise Of finding you here was
mine also. / was not told the room
was occupied-and-you are French?"
You not know me, monsieur" her
eyes dropping, then uplifting again.
AN you an officer Of the Ameri.
cains?"
mo: l have been absent hunting.
l only returned an hour ago."
Zen the woods? Way out beyond?
An you saw no Indian, no French
courier des bois?"
Not one; only a white renegade
l brought in with me bearing a mes
sage"
From the tribes, monsieur? From
Detroit?"
From the tribes, yes" / answered.
surprised at her eagerness, yet seeing
no harm in a frank reply, but they
were in council at Sandusky."
"Sandusky!" the word seemed to
cling to her red lips. "He-he was a
Frenchman them"
who? The messenger? Not he.
We can understand the relationship
between the Canadian French and the
savages. They have always been
friends, but this cur is Of another
breed-warring against his own
people"
She leaned forward, the laughter
all gone from her eyes.
"Who-who was he, monsieur"
I hesitated, wondering at her insist.
ence, her eagerness. She leaned for.
ward almost touching me with her
fingers.
please, monsieur: you car tell me-"
"A white dog named Girty; we
know him we'll"
Simon Girty!" her hands clasped,
her lips u%nconsciously repeating the
name. And from %Sandusky! You
say he brought message from the
tribes? Mon Dieu! IT'S strange they
should choose him. He said So, mon
sieur?"
HE claimed to represent the tribes,
but his message was from Hamilton"
AN he is there-at Sandusky-this
Monsieur Hamilton?"
HE was there-yes: at least SO
Girty reports; but l know nothing
as to where he may be now-back in
Detroit likely. plotting new mischief"
My indignant speech had slight eff.
feet on her, for she laughed as l ended.
"Eet was done most well--so fine /
laff, monsieur. But why you say that
to me? Because | am here? in this
house Of the Americana general?
Bah! we are together: we are alone.
My people are yonder in the woods:
l serve not these long faces who sing