Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-05-14

"hN' 'SN
well. Non, non, eet not | who told
heem; eet was the voyageurs with
whom came. tell nothing. Eet was
hard TO tell nothin', monsieur, when
he want to know SO much; when no
ask question, an roa in hees loud
voice. But Get was fun. too; l laugh,
an talk about ozzer things, an he get
so mad, re American general. He
put me in re %guardhouse, only ! was
a girl. You are angry?"
No. But l am q soldier on duty;
under orders to the north"
TO my people"
so you said before. What does 1t
mean? You are not indiana"
81 am of quarter blood; my father
was officer of France who died in bat
tie. ! was born in an Indian tepee."
But not brought up an Indian? You
possess education; you have known
civilized life"
Il have been at Montreal and Que
bee, monsieur. l a three years at
the convent of the Ursulines."
But came back into the wilder
ness?"
u returned-to my own people; the
great woods called me. | am a Wyan-
dot"
And here at Fort Harmar, under a
false name, pretending to be from the
French settlements?"
She touched my hands, where they
gripped the rifle barrel, and her whole
name changed.
Il am not here under a false name,
monsieur. nor for any purpose of evil"
she exclaimed eagerly. You must not
think hat of me; / will not permit.
tbs my name, Rene D'Auvray, and l
came to this fort from the French set
Elements. l cannot tell you why, but
there is no harm done. All / seek now
is the opportunity to return to my own
land. That is why l came here to meet
you; why l waylaid you, and told you
the truth. I heard enough of what was
said by the American general to
know that you were going north thro'
the forests to my country. to hold
council with the Wyandots. That is
SO, is eet not?"
Yes"
Then, monsieur, take me with you!
No, listen; you must; you shall not re.
fuse. l know the way, the woods, and
all their secrets. l can guide you, and
travel faster than your Kentucky
hunter. Let me go, monsieur"
l hesitated just a moment, actually
tempted by this opportunity to have
her with me, to learn mor of who and
what she really a Yet the knowl.
edge that Harmar would never approve
Of such an arrangement, and that he
would surely learn of the matter If
smuggled her into the boat, decided
me. She read the decision in my face.
You will not? You will leave me
behind?"
Il cannot take you, mademoiselle.
There are reasons in plenty, but | can
not stand here and discuss them. You
will let me pass now"
She drew back, but with eyes still on
my face. She must have read there
that no pleading would change me, for
she only said regretfully:
81 have angered you? You do not
trust me, because l am INDIAN"
81 do trust you," l burst forth. 81
hardly know why. but l do. 1t is hard
for me to say no, but I must. wish
to remain your friend ~mademoiselle, to
to meet you again somewhere"
Her face, white In the star.shine,
smiled.
You shall, monsieur" confidently,
and she pointed with one hand into the
north, "yonder in the villages Of the
Wyandots."
You mea you will go there alone?
All those leagues alone?"
Perhaps; there would be nothing to
fear. ! have travelled as long a wilder
ness trail before. Yet | need not go
alone; there is another here who must
return to Sandusky."
Simon Girty! Good God! Would
| you dream of ~companioning with that
foul renegade? DO you know what he
is?"
"Yes, monsieur" quietly, land he
knows what / am. He is not reckless
enough to offer me insult; did he do so
he would be torn limb from limb. You
do not know my people, but Simon
Girty does. | do not fear him, yet l
would rather go with you"
Il cannot consent; it would cost mo