Annette - The Metis Spy

It was not considered prudent that night to kindle a fire; for one

wandering spark might prove a signal to the foe. So they ate their

meal, and Julie rolled herself up in her blanket, while Annette

seated herself outside of the tent to keep vigil during the first

watch.

"My mistress must not let me sleep too long; she ought not to sit up

at all. What did I come for--if--not--to--to--." Here the tired,

drowsy pet stopped, for she was asleep.

Annette sat upon her blanket, and heard no sound save the breaking

of the grass and the grinding of the horses' teeth, as the hungry

beasts fed. Her heart was not in the wood; it was away with her

lover, and once more her blood tingled, and a delicious sensation

made her heart warm as the words which he spoke when they rode

together passed through her brain.

"Oh, what nice verses he made about my eyes and ears, and my skin.

Ah, if he were only playing with me." An arrow now quivered for a

moment in her heart. "But no; he has the two ways--he can be playful,

and say all manner of teazing things; but, oh, he can be sincere. He

never could have spoken in such a tone, with such a light in his

eyes, with such an expression in his face, if all had not come from

the bottom of his heart. And he will take me away, away out to the

far east, where white men dwell, and put into some great mansion,

and make me its mistress. Oh, it will be all so sweet. But the

dearest part of all is that he will love me, and me alone. How proud

I shall be that no other girl can say, that his heart is hers.

"Ah, Annette, just for your sweet sake, I trust that the future over

which your heart now gloats will fit itself to such a dream. I think,

somehow, that it will; for he seems true, and, darling, you are

worthy. But you know it does not always happen in the way that you

have fashioned it in your dear head. Some other girl does

sometimes come with sly, soft feet and steal away hearts from

trusting and adoring wives, and they have no remorse either in doing

the cruel deed. Indeed, believe me, I have known them in their heart

to glory that they had done this thing. You will, therefore, have to

take your chance."

While Annette was in the midst of her reverie, her round dimpled

cheek resting on her hands, one of the horses tossed his head and

whinnied. "Julie, awake," she cried, quickly touching the sleeping

girl; and then seizing her pistol took position behind a tree,

whispering Julie to join her there. And as that frightened maiden

hurried out from her warm nest, a voice came through the poplars

saying, "Fear not, Little Poplar comes."