Part 96 (2/2)

”The end of the world for me, Loskiel.”

”It is not like you, Boyd, to speak in such a manner. Only lately have I ever heard from you a single note of such foreboding.”

”Only lately have I been dowered with the ominous clairvoyance. I am changed, Loskiel.”

”Not in courage.”

”No,” he said with a shrug of his broad shoulders that set ruffles and thrums a-dancing on his rifle-dress.

We were silent for a while, watching the Indians at their polis.h.i.+ng.

Then he said in a low but pleasant voice:

”How proud and happy must you be with your affianced. What a splendour of happiness lies before you both! An unblemished past, an innocent pa.s.sion, a future stretching out unstained before you--what more can G.o.d bestow on man and maid?... May bright angels guard you both, Loskiel.”

I made to thank him for the wish, but suddenly found I could not control my voice, so lay there in silence and with throat contracted, looking at this man whose marred young life lay all behind him, and whose future, even to me, lowered strangely and ominously veiled.

And as we lay there, into our fire-circle came a dusty, mud-splashed, and naked runner, plucking from his light skin-pouch two letters, one for Boyd and one for me.

I read mine by the flickering fire; it was dated from Tioga Point:

”Euan Loskiel, my honoured and affianced husband, and my lover, wors.h.i.+pped and adored, I send you by this runner my dearest affections, my duties, and my most sacred sentiments.

”You must know that this day we have arrived at the Fort at Tioga Point without any accident or mischance of any description, and, indeed, not encountering one living creature between Catharines-town and this post.

”My beloved mother desires her particular and tender remembrances to be conveyed to you, her honoured son-in-law to be, and further commands that I express to you, as befittingly as I know how, her deep and ever-living grat.i.tude and thanks for your past conduct in regard to me, and your present and n.o.ble-minded generosity concerning the dispositions you have made for us to remain under the amiable protection of Mr. Hake in Albany.

”Dear lad, what can I say for myself? You are so glorious, so wonderful--and in you it does seem that all the virtues, graces, and accomplishments are so perfectly embodied, that at moments, thinking of you, I become afraid, wondering what it is in me that you can accept in exchange for the so perfect love you give me.

”I fear that you may smile on perusing this epistle, deeming it, perhaps, a trifle flowery in expression--but, Euan, I am so torn between the wild pa.s.sion I entertain for you, and a desire to address you modestly and politely in terms of correspondence, as taught in the best schools, that I know not entirely how to conduct. I would not have you think me cold, or too stiffly laced in the formalities of polite usage, so that you might not divine my heart a-beating under the dress that covers me, be it rifle-frock or silken caushet. I would not have you consider me over-bold, light-minded, or insensible to the deep and sacred tie that already binds me to you evermore--which even, I think, the other and tender tie which priest and church shall one day impose, could not make more perfect or more secure.

”So I must strive to please you by writing with elegance befitting, yet permitting you to perceive the ardent heart of her who thinks of you through every blessed moment of the day.

”I pray, as my dear mother prays, that G.o.d, all armoured, and with His bright sword drawn, stand sentinel on your right hand throughout the dangers and the trials of this most just and b.l.o.o.d.y war. For your return I pray and wait.

”Your humble and dutiful and obedient and adoring wife to be,

”Lois de Contrecoeur.

”Post scriptum: The memory of our kiss fades not from my lips. I will be content when circ.u.mstances permit us the liberty to repeat it.”

When I had read the letter again and again, I folded it and laid it in the bosom of my rifle-s.h.i.+rt. Boyd still brooded over his letter, the red firelight bathing his face to the temples.

After a long while he raised his eyes, saw me looking at him, stared at me for a moment, then quietly extended the letter toward me.

”You wish me to read it?” I asked.

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