Arizona state miner., 1926-06-26
The Wife, Ship Woman
BY HUGH PENDEXTER
Author Of "gs the Missouri" "Pay Gravel" "A Virginia Scout"
Copyright ~ ~ ~
By HUGH PENDEXTER

VERY good. / am glad it Is cleared
up. Nothing from those experiences
can ever come into your life to make
you sad"
She rose and asked:
"Are there no questions, my dear?"
'NO questions, sweetheart"
She glanced down at the letter and
laughed aloud as a child does when
immensely pleased.
"Ciel But forgot Sieur de Bien-
ville's letter! I have told you moth
Ing Of 1t. I must have ne secrets
from my husband. 1t seems his or
ders are to place me on the first ship
returning to France. He Is much con-
cerned to have me go back Monsieur
le Regent is vastly interested; and
that means Monseigneur Las will do
anything to get me back
"D-n them all All France can't
get you back - l cried.
"O-o-o!" and she drew back in a
pantomime Of fear. "Such terrible
words my husband speaks But his
same as says I shall dictate my own
future. A ship will take me from
Charles Town, or Pensacola, as I wish.
1t is arranged with the English gov
ernment that I may go in an English
ship, If l wish. am warned not to
return by way Of the river, as it would
be too dangerous. You should feel
very proud to find me a woman of so
much Importance. Now you know all.
Will you keep me?'
Against all Europe!" I told the top
Of her head
She struggled free and cried:
But you never ask about the old
pirate. Such a polite husband!
know you die Of curiosity. He was an
undergardener at my uncles country
place. He saw me steal away from
home, and he followed me. He was a
very wicked old man. He followed
me on board the ship, planning to
make fortune out of my disappear
ance. He knew there would be a
great search and a big sum in gold
offered. He would wait in the new
world till he could drive the best bar
gain; then he would betray me. He
was very wicked"
It was all told. I felt humble and
meek, but took care it should not
show. So 1 urged her to get rid of
Mattor by sending an answer to Bien-
Vile.
"Ma fol! AS your wife I think It
would be better for Mr.. Brampton to
write the answer" she replied. Elise
why did keep this poor man waiting
until you came here and married me?"
We've travelled far together since
those old brave days, and many Of
the myths have been killed out Of the
valley. A miracle she never wearies
Of contemplating is our twin boys. !
called them English and she f1ared up
and declared them to be French, and
before 1 could Join the issue she was
in tears, and saying they were neither
French nor English, but were Ameri-
cans. And so she brought them up to
consider themselves. A second miracle
she could scarcely comprehend was
their astounding growth until they
were my equal in stature. And her
pride! 1t lowered above all other
pride she had ever felt, as the heavens
overtop an ant-hill. Their obedience
and reverence when with their mother
was very beautiful for me to watch.
AS they became Americans and car
ried her along with them I ceased call
ing myself English; for one must go
with ones folks, or else feel very
lonely.
Narbonne and Labrador; Six Fin
gers and Damoan the Fox. The good
and the bad. Yet somehow the mighty
river utilized both elements to give me
my wife. And / wonder if it's other
seemingly blind purposes may not con.
tain some hidden good for those who
ultimately build cabins in the valley.
1.-THE END]
~ = $; ;. 3; 81; =