Chapter 29 - Page 2

a man can be sure of keeping the hair on his
head, he does. Ah's me! What have I to do with these follies and
sayings now? I try to be pleasant, and to feel light-hearted, but
the power of man can't make water run up stream. Mabel, you know
that the Sergeant, afore he left us, had settled it 'atween us
two that we were to become man and wife, and that we were to live
together and to love one another as long as the Lord was pleased
to keep us both on 'arth; yes, and afterwards too?"

Mabel's cheeks had regained a little of their ancient bloom in the
fresh air of the morning; but at this unlooked-for address they
blanched again, nearly to the pallid hue which grief had imprinted
there. Still, she looked kindly, though seriously, at Pathfinder
and even endeavored to force a smile.

"Very true, my excellent friend," she answered; "this was my poor
father's wish, and I feel certain that a whole life devoted to your
welfare and comforts could scarcely repay you for all you have done
for us."

"I fear me, Mabel, that man and wife needs be bound together by a
stronger tie than such feelings, I do. You have done nothing for
me, or nothing of any account, and yet my very heart yearns towards
you, it does; and therefore it seems likely that these feelings come
from something besides saving scalps and guiding through woods."

Mabel's cheek had begun to glow again; and though she struggled
hard to smile, her voice trembled a little as she answered.

"Had we not better postpone this conversation, Pathfinder?" she
said; "we are not alone; and nothing is so unpleasant to a listener,
they say, as family matters in which he feels no interest."

"It's because we are not alone, Mabel, or rather because Jasper is
with us, that I wish to talk of this matter. The Sergeant believed
I might make a suitable companion for you, and, though I had
misgivings about it, -- yes, I had many misgivings, -- he finally
persuaded me into the idee, and things came round 'atween us, as
you know. But, when you promised your father to marry me, Mabel,
and gave me your hand so modestly, but so prettily, there was one
circumstance, as your uncle called it, that you didn't know; and
I've thought it right to tell you what it is, before matters are
finally settled. I've often taken a poor deer for my dinner when
good venison was not to be found; but it's as nat'ral not to take
up with the worst when the best may be had."

"You speak in a way, Pathfinder, that is difficult to be understood.
If this conversation is really necessary, I trust you will be more
plain."

"Well then, Mabel, I've been thinking it was quite likely, when you