HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1941-07-24, Page 6PAGE STK
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what ,,,he had uttered became visnhie
• in the face of -the Pathfinder. 'liaise!
arrested her o,v. words, notw•itli-
standing her smug &sire to he 'ex-
plicit. rhe. reluctance with which she
algid at any time •(rinse pain ',being
sufficient of itself to induce the 'pause.
Neither spoke for some time, the
shade of disappointment That crossed
the rugged lineaments of the hunter
amounting so nearly to anguish as •to
frighten his companion., while the sen-
sation of .hoking'became so strong in
thee Pathfinder that he fairly- !griped
his throat, like onto- who sought pJty-
skal relief for physical suffering. The
compulsive manner in which his fing-
ers worked actually streak the alarm-
ed girl with a feuding o? awe. •
'Nay, • ;Pathfinder," (Mabel eagerly
added, the instars she could command
ter voice,•--� `I may have said more
than I mean: for :ll things of their
own minds. What 1 wish you to •en-
deretend is, that it is Tees likely- that
you and.1 should ever think of each
atter as roan and wife c•aght to think
of each other."
"I do not—I shalt never think in
think in that way again. Mabel."
gasped fortis the Pathfinder, who ap-
t: -eared to utter his words like one just
raised above the •pressure of some
suffocating substance. "No, no, I
ehail never think of veru or any one
else, again in that way."
"Pathfinder. dear Pathfinder. under -
:tend me; do not attach more mean-
ing to my words than I do myself: a
match Eke that would 'be nowise, un-
r.atnral, perhaps."
%Yes, unna'tgal—ag'in nater'; and
to I told the Sergeant 'but he would
have it otherwise."
'Pathfinder! oh. this is worse than
1 could have imagined! Take my
hard, excellent Pathfinder. .and let
me see that you do not hate me, For
tK d's sake. smile epc•n me again."
'Hate you. Mahe .Smile ^pen you!
'Na, sive me year your
Lardy. rte +1 tit., eft-- 1,411,
lte•rt' 'i.thintder." for 1
1 tet cert .1, are
i▪ r.e.... tc !h' 714,
eener-
co, sea. sna aeseesa.F. 171e . e:r,
el, - .. 1 r .
he t. t -fingers..
ese, hoe -nine.. \,. silent and
Tereus -na.enef. •whine sh
giti::ae' :_;er 3neame:as• which seent-
✓ ei a'b'.e of rtece; riere even while
as. t 1;91 r:notiorN, so conflicting,
ne Sergeant was wrong
The 1•tnt-nt, feelings cottd endure
r.:, r.. •re,
and :he Ica(raked down
the chreks of the scant like rain. His
t:ngers 4,gs.in worked cemealsively at
Lis threat; and his breast =feared, as
f t
aessessed ettel of which it
woeld Le rid by any effort, hew'ever.
desperate.
"Pathfinder! Pathfinder!" :;label
almost shrieked; "anything but this.
enythirg but thiel Speak to me, Path-
finder! smile again, say one kind word
anything to prove yon can forgive
me."
"The Sergeant was wrong!" ex-
claimed the guide. laughing amid his
agony, in a way to terrify his conilpan-
icmm by the unnatural mixture of an-
guish and light-heartedness. "I (knew
it, I knew it, and said it; yes, 'the'Ser-
.geant was wrong after all."
"We can be friends, though we can-
not he man and wife," continued lMa1b-
el, almost as much disturlbed as her
companion, scarcely 'knowing 'what
she said; "we can always be friends,
and always wall,
9i thought 'the Sergeant -vias •mi--
taken," resumed the Pathfinder when
a. great effort had ena'hied him to com
mead' himself, "for I du ot-t:nink my
gifts were such as :+anid please the
ferias,'of a town -'bred girl. It would
have been abetter. 'Mabel, had he not
c.:er-persuaded me int,- a different
;( t , diT might have •°.eer ;better,
t r, T pleasant and
tee., l: i. (. ,•`O» t)!: lice ,1-.
confiding like; yes. it would."
"If 1 thought any error of mine had
1rat.Cc false expectations 1 S
.n you, t,
Path-
finder. however unintentionally on my
part, I .should never .forgive myself;
for, believe me, 1 would rather endure
pain in my own feelings than you
should suffer."
'That's just it. I\falbel, that's just it.
These speeches and opinions, spoken
in so soft a voice, and in a way 11'111 so
unused to inthe woods,' have done the
mischief, 'But I now see plainly, and
'he:uin to understand the difference ;be-
tween us 'better, and will strive to
keep down thought. and to go abroad
again as I used to do looking for the
game and the inimy.:Ah's me, 'Mabel!
1 have indeed been on a false trail
,ince n e met."
"in a little while you will forget all
this. and thin: of me as a 'friend, who
owes you her life."
"This may be the way in tete .towns,
but I doubt if it's nat'ral to t'he woods,
With us, when the eye sees a lovely
sight. it is apt to keep it long in view.
or when the mind takes in an upright
and proper feeling, it is loath to part
with
"You will forget it all, when you
come seriously to recollect that I am
altogether unsuited to 'he your wife."
"So I told the Sergeant; but he
would have it otherwise. I knew you
was too young and beautiful dor one
of middle age like myself, and who
never was comely to look at even in
youth; and then your ways have not
been my ways nor would a hunter's
cabin the a fitting place for one who
was edicated among chiefs„ as it
were. If I were younger and comelier,
though, like ;Jasper Eau -douse ---
'Never mind Jasper Eau -douse."
can talk of something else."
"Jasper is a worthy -' lad, Weibel; ay,
and a comely." returned the guileless
guide, looking earnestly at the girl.
as if he distrusted her judgment in
speakine slightingly of his friend.
`Were I only half as comely as (Tas-
prr \\'eetern, my ntis;givinge in this
affair would not have ,been so great,
anti they might not have theen so
!rut;'
',We will not talk of Jasper (West-
ern." repeated .Mattel, the colour
:1 •tinting la her temples; 'be may he
se.asi enough in a gale, or on the lake.
ism 1e is net gosel ennnah to talk of
',c
f _ar me. Mehel. he is better tine
{te -nae aho is likely to he your hes-
anti. Iltemah tete St -meant says that
never aan take place. Bat the Ser-
eant was wrong once. and he may he
wrong twice."
"And who is likely to he my leo-
',owl, Pathfinder! This is scarcely lets
strange than what has just passed be-
tween ars;'
"I know it is nat'ral for like to seek
like, and for them that have couserted
ntnch with officers' ladies to wish to
file officers' ladies themselves. But,
Mabel, .I may spealc plainly to yo't,
I know; and I hope my words will
not give you pain; for now I under-
stand what it is to ibe disappointe' in
such feelings, I wouldn't wish to
cause even. a Mingosorrow on this
head. But happiness is not always to
be found in a marquee, any more than
M a tent; and though the officers'
quarters may look more tempting
than the rest csf the barracks, there is
often great misery 'between huslband
and wife inside of their :doors."
"I do not doubt it in the least,
Pathfinder; and, did it rest with rue
to decide 'I would sooner follow you
to some cabin in the woods, and share
your fortune, whether it might he
better or worse, than go inside the
door of any officer I know, with an
intention of remaining there as its
master's wife," ,
illa'leh this is not what 'Lundie
hopes .or 'Lundie thinks,"
"And what care I for Lundie He
is major trf the '55th, and may com-
mend, his men to wheel and march
abottt as he pleases; ibut he cannot
compel me to wed the 'greatest or the
meanest of unit mess, Besides. what
can you know of Lnndit's wishes on
:.ch a suh;Cct "
THE SEAFORTH NEWS
F'ro'st I.u•ndie.'s -own mouth. The
'Sergeant had told him that he wish-
ed me for a son -in -late; and the
1 tiajor, being an old and true friend,
conversed with int on the subject.
11e lou it to ore plainly, whether it
would not the more ginerotis in me. . to
let an officer succeed, than to strive
to stake you share a hunter's fortune.
1 owned the truth. I did; and that
%sae that I thought it might; abut
when he told me that the Quarter-
master would be his choice, 1 would
not abide by the conditions. No, no.
Mabel; 1 know Davy well, and thou:elt
le, may make you a lady, he can ttt'v
er wake you a happy woman, or hint-
a•'f a stentlentan."
'My father bas ,been very wrong if
'te has said or done aught to cause
I you sorrow. Pathfinder; and so great
s my regard for you, so sincere my
friendship, that were it not far one —
I nteatt that no .person need 'fear the
•L.ietttenant's influence with use—I
sr,iild rather remain as 1 aitt to my
clyinix day titan ibecome a lady at the
cost of ;being his wife,"
"I do not think you would say that
which you do not ,feel, Weibel," 'Path -
tinder said earnestly.
"Not et such a moment, mi such a
subject, and least of all to you, No;
the Lieutenant may find wives where
he can—arty name shall never 'be 00
his catalogue."
"Thank you, thank you for that,
Mabel; for, though there is no longer
any hope for nue, I could •never he
happy were you to take to the Quar-
termaster. d feared 'the commission
might count for something, I did;
and I know the man. It is not jeal-
ousy 'that makes me speak in this
Manner, but truth, .for I know the
man. Now, were you to fancy a de-
serving youth, one like jasper West-
ern, 'for instance—"
"Why always mention Jasper Eau -
deuce, Pathfinder he can have no
concent with our friendship; let vs
talk of yourself, and of 'the manner
in which you intend to pass the win-
ter.'
"Al's me!—II'm little worth at the
hest, Mabel, unless it may Ibe on a
trail or with she rifle; and less worth
now that I .have discovered the Ser-
geant's mistake, There is no need,
therefore, of talking of me. It has
been very pleasant to he near you so
long, and oven to 'fancy ,that the Ser-
geant was right; but 'that is all over
now. 1 shall go dawn the lake with
Jasper, and there will be (business to
occupy ors and that will keep useless
thoughts out of the mind."
"Here comes my dear ,father," in-
terrupted Mabel. '5lLet us look cheer-
ful and happy, Pathfinder, as such
gond 'friends out to look, and 'keep
each other's secrets."
A pause succeeded; the Sergeant's
foot was 'heard crushing the dried
twigs hard by, and then itis 'form ap-
peared shoving aside •the (bushes of a
copse just near. As he issued into the
open ground, the old soldier scrutin-
ized his daughter and her companion
and speaking ,good naturedly, he said,
'lMa'bei, child, you are .young and
light of foot—look Inc a bird that I've
sten that fell just beyond the thicket
of young hemlocks on the shore; and
as jasper is showing signs of en in-
tention of getting under way you
need not take the trouble to clamber
up this hill again, but we will meet
yon on the beach in a few minutes."
Mabel obeyed, 'hounding down the
hill with .the elastic step of youth and
health. 13ttt notwithstanding the light-
ness of her steps, the heart of the girl
was heavy, and no sooner was she hid
from ahservation'by the thicket, than
site threw herself on the root of a tree
and wept as if her heart would 'break.
'rite father watched her until she clic
appeared, with a fathers pride, and
then turned 10 his companion with a
sutlle' as n 111(1 as familiar as 1115
habits woulkidd allow hint to use to-
wards any.
"She has her mother's liglenes.a and
activity, my friend, with somewhat of
her father's forge," said he. ';Her mo-
ther lyre; not quite so handsome. I
thick myself; but the 1)unhants were
always though comely, whether men
or women. I\\''ill, 'Pathfinder, I take it
for granted you have not overlooked
the of ,4rionity but have spoken
plainly to the girl? woolen like Irani:-
110,A
ranik-
i s s in matters of this sort."
"I 'believe Mabel and I understand
each other at last, Sergeant," return-
ed the other, 'looking away to avoid
the soldier's face.
"tin much the !better. Some !people
fancy that a little doubt and uncer-
tainty makes love all the livelier;
haft I am one of ,those who think the
plainer the tongue speaks the easier
the mind will comprehend, Was iMab-
el surprised?"
"I fear she ,was, Sergeant; it -fear
she was taken ctnite Iby sunprise—yes,
T do."
"Well, well, surprises in love are
like an ambush it) war, and quite as
lawful; though it is not SO easy to
tell when a woman is surprised, as to
tell when it happens to an enemy.
Mabel did not run away, my worthy
friend, did she?"
"No, Sergeant, 'Mabel did not try
to escape; that I can say with a clear
conscience."
"I hope the girl was ant too whiting,
neither' Her mother was shy and coy
for a month, at least; lout ,frankness,
after all, is a recommendation in a
titan ter woman."
'That it is, that it is; and judgment
too."
"You are not to look for too much
judgment in a young creature of
twenty, Pathfinder, IItatit it will conte
with experience. A mistake in you or
me, Tor instance, might not the so eas-
ily overlooked; but in a girl of ,Mabb-
el's years, one is not to strain at a
gnat lest they swallow a cannel."
'fthe reader will remember that Ser-
geant Dunham was not a Iielbrew
scholar.
The muscles of the lis'tener's face
twitched as the Sergeant was thus
delivering his sentiments, though the
former ,had now recovered a portion
of that stoicism which formed to
large a part of his character, and
whish he had probably imbibed from
long association with the Indians. His
eyes rose and 'fell, and once a gleans
shot athwant his hard features 'as 1.1 he
were athout to indulge in his peculiar
laugh; hut the joyous feeling, if it
really existed, was as quickly lost in
a look allied to anguish. I•t was this
unusual mixture of wild and keen
mental agony with native, simple joy-
ousness, which had most struck Mab-
el, who, in the interview just related.
had a dozen limes .been on the point
of believing that her suitor's heart
was only touched, es images of hap-
pittess and hutr,t,.tr t :rane,l over a
mind that was almost ;nfantine in it=
simplicity and nature; an impriissinn,
howwver, which was soon driven away
k y tha discovery of emotions so pain-
ful and so deep, that ,they seemed to
harrow the very send.
"You say. erne Sergeant," 'Pathfind-
er answered "a mistake in one like
you is a more serious flatter."
'Von will find !Mabel sincere and
honest in the end; give her 'but a little
time:"
"Ah's nte, Sergeant!"
'A man of yoiir merits wand inele
an impression on o-1 rock, rive 1
tiinr,-Patltfiiider."
'Sergeant Denham. le are old W.-
low-campaigner,—that
t'.-
low t tntpaignet: that 64111-
paigns arc carried 00 here in tate
w1 clttnca; anti we dace done
many 'kind ;torts to each other that t i'
can afford to he candid—what !las
caused yon to 'believe that a girl like
Mabel could ever fancy- one so rade
as I am?"
''\\'hal?—w'hy-, a •1'arie.ty of reasons
and gond reasons too, my friend.
Those same acts of .kindness, perhaps
and the eampaigns you mention;
moreover, you .are my sworn and
tried comrade."
"All this sounds well, so far as you
and I are consarned;diet they do not
touch the case of your pretty daught-
er. She may think these very •cantp-
paigns han'e destroyed the little eoee-
Iiness I may 'once have had; and 1
am .not quite sartain that 'being an
oki friend of her father would lead
any young maiden's mind into a
particular affection for a suitor. (Like
loves like, I tell you, Sergeant; and
my gifts are not altogether the gifts
of Mabel Dechant."
"These are some of your old mod-
est qualms, Pathfinder, and will do
you no credit with t'he girl. Woman
distrust men who distrust themselves,
and take to men who distrust nothing.
!Modesty is a capital thing in a rec-
ruit, I grant you; or in a young sub-
altern who has just joined, for it pre-
vents his railing at the non-commis-
sioned officers before he knows what
to rail at; I'm not sure it is out of
place in a commissary or a parson,
but it's the devil all when it gets 'pos-
session of a real soldier or a lover.
1Have as little to do with it as poss-
ible, if you would win a woman's
heart. As .for your doctrine that lnke
loves dike, it is as wrong as possible
in platters of this sort, If like loved
like, women would love one another,
and men also. No, no, dike loves dis-
like,"—the Sergeant was merely a
scholar of the camp,—'and you have
nothing to fear from !Mabel on that
score. ;Look at Lieutenant ,M''tir, the
man has had five wives already, they
tell me, and there is no more mod-
esty in hire than there is in a cat -o -
nine -tails."
"Lieutenant Muir will never be the
hntdband of 1:\latbel Dunham, let 'hint
raffle his feathers as much' as he
flay."
"That is a sensible remark of yours,
.Pathfinder; for my mind is :made up
that you shall the my son-in-law. If
I were an officer myself, Lie. Muir
might have some chance; .hut time
has placed one door 'between my child
and myself, and I don't intend there
.hall' he that of a marquee also."
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•
The Seaforth News
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO,
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1941
PROFESSIONAL CARDS
MEDICAL
SEAFORTH CLINIC
Dr. E. A, McMaster, M,B., Graduate
of University of Toronto,
Paul L. Brady, MD., Graduate of
University of Toronto..
The Clinic is fully equipped with
complete and modern x-ray and other
up -to -chats diagnostic and tbereuptie
equipment,
Dr: F. J. It. Forster, Specialist in
Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and
Throat, will be at the Clinic the first.
Tuesday in every month from 4 to
6 p.m.
Free well -baby clinic will be hold
on the second and last Thursday in
every month from 1 to 2 p,m.
JOHN A. GORWILL, B,A.,M.D.
Physician and Surgeon
In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 5.1
DR. F. J. R. FORSTER
Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
Graduate in Medicine, University
of Toronto. Late Assistant New York
Ophthalmic and Aural Institute,
Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square
throat hospitals, London, Eng. At
Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third
Wednesday in each month from 2 to
4 p.m. Also at Seaforth Clinic first
Tuesday in each month. -53 Waterloo
St., Stratford. Telephone 267.
AUCTIONEER
GORDON M. GRANT, Licensed
Auctioneer for the County of Huron.
Arrangements can be made for Sale
Date at the Seatorth News, or by
writing Gordon M. Grant, Goderich
Charges moderate and satisfaction
guaranteed,
F. W. AHRENS, Licensed Auction'
eer for Perth and Huron Counties
Sales Solicited. Terms on Application,
Farm Stock, chattels and real estate
props*ty, R. R. No. 4, Mitchell
Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office.
HAROLD JACKSON
Licensed in Huron and Perth coun-
ties, Prices reasonable; satisfaction
guaranteed. For information, write
or phone Harold Jackson, phone 14
on 661; R. R. 4, Seaforth.
EDWARD W. ELLIOTT, Licensed
Auctioneer for Huron. Correspond-
ence promptly answered. Immediate
arrangements can be made for Sale
Date by calling Phone 203, Clinton.
Charges moderate and satisfaction
guaranteed.
Watson & Reid
REAL ESTATE
AND INSURANCE AGENCY
(Successors to James Watson)
MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT.
Ail kinds of Insurance risks effect
ed at lowest rates in First-Claae
Companies.
The McKillop Mutual
Fire Insurance Co.
HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH, Ont.
OFFICERS
President, Wm. Knox, Londesboro
Vice President, W. R. Archibald
Seaforth; Secretary Treasurer, M. A
Reid, Seaforth.
AGENTS
F. McKercher, R. R.1, Dublin; Johz
E. Pepper, R. R.1, Brucefield; J. F.
Prueter, Brodhagen; James Watt
Blyth; Aldred Teo, Holmesville.
DIRECTORS -
Alex Broadfoot, Seaforth; William
Knox, Londesboro; Chris Leonhardt,
Dublin; E. J. Trewartha, Clinton;
Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. It.
Archibald, Seaforth; Alex McEwing,
Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton;
Hugh Alexander, Walton.
Parties desirous to effect insurance
or transact other business, will be
promptly attended to by applications
to any of the above named officers
addressed to their respective post
offices.
A schoolmaster trying to discover
what his class of small boys knew of
common objects, asked what it was
that a horse was made to wear when
it went about its work. the word
"harness" which he sought for, was
not forthcoming. At last he said: `Is
there any boy here whose father
attends to horses?"
"Yes, sir," said one small boy.
"Then tell the class, Tommy, what
your father puts on a horse every
morning," said the master.
"Half a crown," was the prompt
reply,
And how is your pool husband
today?" 'asked Mrs Hobson.
"Oh, he's poorly," replied Mrs.
Dobson. ""He's got a terrible expen-
sive disease. He's got to be kept in
good spirits!"
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