White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1931-02-19
CHAPTER IV-Continued

This discussion was the beginning
of another phase in Jeems life. 1t
placed before him certain definite OBJ
legations -of' manhood which even his
mother had to recognize, though she
wanted to hold him as long as pos
sible in his boyhood years. During
the next year he made several trips
with Hepsibah, going to Albany and
as far as the country of Pennsylvania.
Each time he returned to his home
something held him more closely to it,
In the autumn of 1854, after four
years at school, Toinette returned to
Tonteur manor.
Peace and happiness lay over the
Richelieu. 1t had been a splendid
year for France along the far frontiers.
Washington had surrendered at Fort
Necessity, and Villiers was triumphant
at Fore Duquesne. England and
France were still playing at the hypoc-
risy of friendship. While they played,
thrusting at each other secretly and
in the dark, not an English flag was
left waving beyond the Alleghanies.
French arms and Indian diplomacy
were victorious along the Ohio and
westward to the plains. The policies
Of the British royal governors were
alternating their Indian allies, and in
spite of their million and half popu-
ton against eighty thousand in New
France, Dinwiddie had frantically
called upon England for help. In re-
Spouse, England. was sending General
Braddock.
In double rejoicing over Toinette's
Homecoming and his country's success
at arms, Tonteur planned levee and
barbecue at the seigneurie. .Hepsibah
was away at the time, which disap
pointed the baron, who insisted that
Henri and his family must attend the
celebration or he would never call
them friends again.
Jeems felt thrill growing in him
as the day drew near. He was no
longer the Jeems of Lussan's place as
he set out in the company of his father
and mother with Odd pegging along
faithfully at his side. In January he
would be eighteen. The alert and
sinuous grace of one Of the wild things
Of the forest was in his movements.
Catherine was more than ever proud
Of him and rejoiced in the cleanness
of his build, in his love Of nature and
God, and in the directness with which
his eyes looked at one. But she was
not more proud than Hepsibah Adams.
who had seen in this pupil Of his flesh
and blood the qualities and courage,
the lock, stock, and barrel, as he
called it, of fighting man.
Jeems was anxious to see Toinette,
but with this desire there remained
none of the old yearnings which had
once oppressed him. She whom he
was going to regard today was q
stranger, one into whose presence he
was determined not to force himself
again. This resolution was not in
spired in him by lack Of boldness or
an uncertainty as to his own social
fitness. An immense pride upheld
him. The spirit and freedom of the
forests were in his blood, and behind
these was also the spirit of Hepsibah
Adams. He knew that he could meet
Toinette coolly and without embar-
rassment should they chance to stand
face to face, no matter how splendid
she had grown. And he realized there
must be a great change in her. She
was fifteen now. A young lady. AT
this period of his life, five years
seemed a long time, and he thought 1t
was possible he might not recognize
her.
An overwhelming moment of shock
seized him when at last he saw her.
It was as if a yesterday of long ago
had come back into this today, as il
a picture which had been burned and
scattered into ash had miraculousIy
been restored.
She was taller, OF course. Perhaps
she was lovelier. But she was the
same Toinette. He could see no
change in her except that she had be-
come more a woman. Hepsibah's
work, his own, his freedom, and his
courage were dissipated like dust as
hA looked at her, and once more he
cit himself the inferior being offering
kar nuts and feathers and maple
spgar and praying in his childish way