Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 172, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 July 1914 — the MAID OF the FOREST [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

the MAID OF the FOREST

by RANDALL PARRISH

ILLUSTRATED D.J.LAVIN COPY/?/Mr A. C.AI?CLI//?G £*. CO., /J/J

SYNOPSIS.

Jossph Hayward, an ensign in the United States army, on hla way to Fort Harmar, meets Simon dirty, a renegrada whose name has been oonnected with all manner of atrocities, also heaaea Tor Fort Harmar, with a message from the British general, Hamilton. Hayward •guides him to the fort CHAPTER ll—Continued. “I do not trust the villain, but I’ll hear his tale. I may need you, Mr. Hayward; remain there in the back room until 1 call. J could see no door. • “Where, sir?” “In the den, beyond: the robe hides the entrance. If I need you I will calL The dog la coming now." The interior of this room whleh—lnow entered for the first time was a revelation tp me. It was fitted up as a lounging room, a den; yet bearing more resemblance to the tepee of a savage, than any abode of civilization. The trappings of war, the tributes, of the chase, were everywhere in evidence. I saw all this with a single glance as I shut the door, yet almost with the instant, my entire Attention was riveted upon an occupant, and I stood motionless, .scarcely crediting my own eyes, as I stared across the table at the couch against the farther walL It was in shadow, underneath/ the window, draped by a yellow blanket, and in one cushioned corner sat a girl, her dark head bent low over an open book. So intent was she upon entrance, or else remained indifferent, thinking me no stranger to the apartment. . „ She was young," scarcely but of h'er girlhood from the dear profile of her cheek, olive-tinted in the shadow, with a profusion of hair black as night, and a figure slender, but not tall. I moved rattling the latch to attract attention to my pretence, yet the witch never glanced up, turning a page of her book lazily. “Your pardon,” I ventured, and cap in hand, advanced to the table nearer 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 I saw only her face, and the unfathomable depths of those eyes. They were full of bewilderment, surprise, laughter. As though some mysterious message had passed between us, I knew she was glad I had come. “Why, monsieur," ehe exclaimed, hesitating slightly over the' words, “I am startled! You should feel my heart beat —so fast I thought it the generail, yes—who elBe? But I nevaire see you before; you—-you are an offlcier of the Americains?” “Yes, I belong to this garrison. But the surprise of finding you here was mine aleo. I was not told the room was occupied—and—you are French?" “You not know me, monsieur T” her eyes drooping, then uplifting again. “An’ you an offlcier of the Americains?” “No: I have been absent hunting. I only returned an hour ago." “Ben the wooda? Way out beyond? An’ you saw no Indian, no French courier des bois?” “Not one; only a white renegade I brought in with me bearing a message." “From the tribes, monsieur? From Detroit?” “Prop the tribes, yes,” I answered, surprised at her eagerness, yet seeing no harm in a frank reply, “but they were in council at Sandusky.” ; “Sandusky!" the word seemed tq cling to her red lips. “He —he was a Frenchman then?” “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.” Sbe leaned forward, the laughter all gone from her eyes. “Who—who was he, monsieur?” I hesitated, wondering at her insistence, her eagerness. She leaned forward almost touching me with her fingers. “Please, monsieur: you can tell me.” “A white dog named Gtrty; we know him well.” “Simon Girty!" her hands clasped, her lips unconsciously repeating the name. “And from Sandusky! You say he brought m nosage from the tribee? Mon Dieul Tis strange they should choose him. He said so, monsieur?” “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: st least so Wrt? Teports; btrt I know nothing «s to where he may be now—back in Detroit likely, plotting new mischief.” My indignant speech had slight effect on her, for she laughed as I ended. “Bet was done most well—so fine I lass, monsieur. But why you say that to me? Because I am here? In this fcouss Of the Americalne generail? alone. * My people are yohdar in t£e woods: i serve not these long faces who sing

psalms. Tell me, monsieur," she touched my hands, her pleading eyes looking up into mine, “why is eet you are hor*? T cnn hn trnw+na » I stared down into her eager fade, almost believing I must be dreaming, yet conscious enough of her deep earnestness. What was it she thought or imagined? Could she mistake me for another? be deceived as to my identity? The thought seemed impossible, almost ridiculous. How should it be, when I stood before her in uniform, and had already declared myself an officer of*the garrison ? The eyes gazing up at me seemed misty, as though they held unshed tears. "Please, monsieur,” she urged anxiously. “I am but a girl—a girl of the north—yet I can be trusted. Tell me quick, so I can help." “Bus I do not understand, mademoiselle, I have told you who I am. Why should you speak like this?” “Because I know you,” she Ineisted. "‘Because I, have seen you before." "Know me!” 1 Smiled, Indulgent of her whim, convinced now 'that I dealt with a mind diseased. “That is hardly possible.” “But I do. Monsieur Hayward, I do. Have you no memory of me? Of my face? Why are yon so afraid to have faith?” . She had spoken my name, and I gazed at her in wide-eyed astonishment. Surely we had never met; yet how could she know? “Am I not right?” “Yes, hut I have no memory of seeto be easily forgotten. Tell me who you are?” The dimples exhibited themselves in cheek, yet she faced me without a movement. “Eet is not fight you should forget, monsieur; eet is no compliment. Yet I will answer; I am not afraid, and then you must remember. I am Rene D’Auvray.” The name meant nothing, told nothing. “Rene D’Auvray?” ! repeated dumbly, striving to make the sound familiar. “Qiii, monsieur: now—” ~~ She sprang back beyond the table, one finger at her lips. The door opened at my back. “Now, Hayward,” said Harmar’s voice

bruskly. “I’ve done with that scoundrel, and would speak again with you.” My eyes clung for just an instant to those of the girl, shrinking back into the shadows. Then I turned and went out, my mind full of bewilderment.

CHAPTER 111. A Perilous Venture. General Harmar strode across the room to -his chair, and sat down, staring out of the window, his eyee frowning. I closed the door, and stood waiting, swiftly determining to discover the identity of that young woman within, and feeling slight heed of aught else. Harmar turned hiß eyes toward me, surveying me a moment in silence. “What do you weigh, Hayward?” he snapped out, as tho' noting my girth for the first time. “Two hundred and thirty, sir." “Huh! and every inch muscle and bone from the look of you. I’ve got some serious work picked out for you. How far north have you ever been?” "To the forks of the Muskingum." He drummed with his fingers on the table; then pored over a rough map. "Huh! the hard travel will be beyond, after you leave the boat Would yon undertake a journey to Sandusky?” “Alone, strfT asked, startledat thequestion, the distance vague - in my mind. "With a scout, who knows the woods," he answered, studying my face, "and an enlisted man to cook, and do odd jobs around camp. A small party is better than a large ono on such a trip.” He paused, thinking. "I win obey ordeiwr I&TTTTSi £ (soldier/' •' i “Yes!" he got to his feet “But bow

that isn’t wljat 1 want. I expect my men to do that But this is not strict- i ly a military matter, and I give you no j orders, I nfwd a confidential messen- j ger, a man of intelligence and nerve; but he will take Mb life tn his hand, and possibly to no purpose. I half suspect treachery, and will order no officer of my command to sufch hazardous service.”— He stopped, and stood staring out of the window, his broad back toward me. “You must deem this matter of grave importance,” I said, firmly, “and need seek no further; I volunteer to go.” He wheeled about, and grasped my hand. T thought so, Hayward. I am not often mistaken In a man, and I like your face. Yet do not he too hasty in’ decision. Sit down here, where we can have the map between us, until I can explain what hell is brewing in the pot of those north woods. What think you honestly of Simon Girty?” "Everything bad; a scoundrel from head to foot.” “Ay! yet Hamilton uses him. The man was a messenger, even as he claimed. The Englishman wrote that with his own hand; I have seen the writing before.” - He pushed the crumpled bit of paper across, and I read the crooked lines elowly, for the penmanship was almost illegible. Twice I read it, half convinced my brain played me some trick. “Is this true, sir?” afraid it may all be. The exact situation is this, Hayward. The tribes of the northwest are ready for war* In spite of the influence of the chiefs many of the young men are already on the war trail. They are In small parties ranging the woods, attacking outlying settlers and hunters. Stories of outrages come drifting in here every day. Nothing prevents a general outbreak but British restraint, and the opposition of the Wyandotß.” “A strong nation.” “The most important in the Indian alliance. They are no frlendß of ours, yet they claim to be Christian, converted by French Jesuits, and thus far the priests have held them on the side of peace. For the first time their chiefs have met in council with the others and threaten war. Do you understand the cause?” “Not clearly, sir; because of some prisoners we hold, Is it not?” “It was Greek to me, also, until Girty explained. That is where trouble arises. We have no such prisoner, but if I send that word back by Girty, they will believe I lied. But if an officer of this garrison goes boldly to them, in response to their challenge; faces them at their council fire, and says so openly they will probably accept his word.” “If the Wyandots Join the other tribes It will mean war?” “Yes; the length and breadth of tbs frontier. have no force with which to meet them; hundreds of lives—men, jwomen and children will be destroyed; settlements ruined. I doubt if there be a white man left north of the Ohio In three months if those fiends break loose. This is not my work, endeavoring to treat with those red devils. It is the duty of the governor. But St. Clair is away; I have no means of reaching him with this Information. The Wyandots demand Instant reply, and our messenger must reach them as soon as, if not before, the return of Girty.” “Do I have my choice of scouts?" “Certainly." “Then I will take Brady, sir.” “The best' man available. I would have named him, only I feared your late trouble had left you enemies.” “Not at all; it was a fair fight” I sat thinking in silence, and Harmar waited. The danger of the journey unrolled before me in imagination—the perilous waterways; the long trail through the trackless woods, menaced by roving Indian bands; the hostile tribes in council; the chances of treachery and death lurking In every step of the way. Audacity, determination, the lives dependent on my success, gave me courage. It was a work someone must do k I drew the letter over again, and studied it “You are sure, general,, this ‘Wa-pa-tee-tah’ Is not in our hands? At some of the csher forts?” “As sure as I can be; I heard from Pitt yesterday, with reports from the garrison between, and no account was made of such a prisoner being brought in. Hambrouck wrote me- from Vincennes two weeks ago—some French voyageurs left the letter on their way up the river—and he mentions nothing save his troubles with the Indians of the Wabash, who are most impudent and unruly—the wont of the lot, to my notlbn. I expect the.fellow has been killed in the woods.” “A man;- thro? A chief?” Ter tor ears the name had feminine sound—-“Wa-pa-tee-tah; ’tis as musical as a brook." “Ay! it sounds like that; but Girty gave me' some other name I have forgotten. . Gad! I fisted so to talk with the foul-mouthed renegade, that I asked few questions; only you may "be ftUH Tti 116 M|tl&W the WyftfldbU would" war over. A medicine man, or something of that' kidney, as I understand!

1 Girty said a religious teacher, whom the tribe loved more than a chieE” I croseed the narrow room twice, endeavoring to sum up the evidence clearly. "A poor pretense for war, surely,” I, said at last, “but might be sufficient to Indian mind.” “More than one war, even among civilized nations, has been started on less," he answered soberly. “Besides, It is my Judgment all those devils want is an excuse. They may have manufactured this out of whole cloth; to me it don’t look reasonable. But you have all the facts now, Hayward, and can understand what to say and do. Those red devils know our weakness, and are wild to break loose. If I ■ send back a formal letter by the hands of their messenger, denying any knowledge of this medicine man of theirs, and expressing regret at Ms disappearance, they will consider it a lie. I know Indian nature; they have got to be bluffed at their own game. Show fear, and they are after you at once, the whole pack In full cry; face tlnm boldly, and they hesitate. If ( you go straight to them, through the woods to their council fire, an officer of this garrisdn, in uniform, they will interpret your coming as a sign that wr are not afraid of their threats.” “Then I am to talk boldly; threaten, if necessary.” "With discretion—yes. It ie our only chance to avert war. The scheme may not work, but if it even results in delay, it will be worth the effort.” "When do I start?” "At dusk tonight. Come here first for final instructions, and a letter to Hamilton. You will go up the Muskingum to the forks by boat, and thep straight through the woods. There mußt be no loitering on the march.” “There will be none, sir; and what about Girty?” "I will hold him on some pretext until morning. Your party will have fifteen hours’ start” There seemed nothing more,* and. after waiting a moment in silence, I saluted. ; - “Very well, sir; that is all?” "All at present” \ ‘ I turned Howard the door, then hesitated, as memory suddenly returned. “Pardon me, general,” I said impulsively, “but I met a young woman In the room yonder. Might I inquire who she may be?” ; He stared at me with open mouth, theft laVighed. “The witch! I never knew she was in there, Hayward, or I should never’ have exposed you to such danger. Said shp anything about herself?” “Only her name —Rene D’Auvray.’’ "Huh! that does not sound much like the one she gave me, though by my soul, I’ve forgotten It; ’twas Just as Frenchified, and I never dared to speak it aloud. How came she to tell you?” “That’s the odd part of It, sir. She knew me, called me ‘Monsieur Hayward,’ and insisted I would remember ,her when she named haraelf she did, but it waß no name I ever heard before, nor have I ever seen the face; I’d swear to that” “And she 1b not the sort to be gotten easily. If they raise such flowers in the Illinois country, I would like service there. The tale is, as repeated by the soldiers who talked with the boatmen, that" ehe seeks her father, who left this Kaskaskia a year since with Vigo, on a journey up the Ohio. She stops at each settlement to inquire, and the, girl has money— French and English gold in plenty. Yet,if this be the truth, there is small hunting done. Once only was she at the village for an hour; nor has she spoken yet of departure. She puzzler me with her pert speech, and French talk, for she pretends little understanding of English. . But that my wife likes her I should have sent the hussy on her way before now.” "But, general,” I asked, still lingering, “how came she to know my name?” “Perhaps you spoke It first in her hearing.” “Not I, sir; we spoke of other matters.” (TO BE CONTINUED.)

"Then I Am to Talk Boldly; Threaten, If Necessary