United States or Madagascar ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Then remember not to say it to Angelina Lansing and above all never hint as much to Lana Helmer. Women are human; and pretty women perhaps a little less than human. Leave them to me. For if this romantic damsel be truly what you picture her, I'll have to tell a pretty fib or two concerning her and you, I warrant you. Leave that saucy baggage, Lanette, to me, Euan. And you keep clear of her, too.
When we rose on tiptoe, I thought she was asleep, but Lois was not certain; and as we crept out onto the rifle-platform and seated ourselves in a sheltered corner under the parapet, she said uneasily: "Lanette is a strange maid, Euan. At first I knew she disliked me. Then, of a sudden, one day she came to me and clung like a child afraid. And we loved from that minute.... It is strange."
As for Lana, her face was tragic and colourless as death itself. Seeing which, Boyd said cheerfully: "What is there in all the world to sigh about, Lanette? Death is far away and the woods are green." "The woods are green," repeated Lana under her breath, "yet, there are many within call who shall not live to see one leaf fall."
A moment more we gazed at each other, then suddenly her under lip trembled and her eyes filled. "Forgive me," she stammered. "You are a better friend to me than many.... I am not angry, Euan." At that I could scarce control my own voice: "Lanette little Lana! Find it in your generous heart to offer me my pardon, for I have conducted like a yokel and a fool! But but I really do love you."
What more could a vain maid ask?" She glanced at me with sweet and humorous eyes, saying: "Fort Orange is no safer than this log bastion, so scowl on me no more, Euan, but presently take Lanette and me to the parapet where other and lovelier wonders are doubtless to be seen." "What further wonders?" asked Lana indifferently.
Lana had knelt, making a cup of her hand, and was drinking from the silvery thread of water at our feet. Now, as Boyd spoke, she straightened up and cast a shower of sparkling drops in his face, saying calmly that she prayed God he might have the like done for him when next he needed a cooling off. "Lanette," said he, disconcerted but laughing, "do you mean in hell or at the Iroquois stake?"
"Proper provision in barracks will be made, no doubt, as soon as the General learns who it is who has honoured him so unexpectedly with a visit." "That's why we came, Euan to honour General Sullivan," said Lois demurely. "Did we not, Lanette?" Then again I noticed that the old fire, the old gaiety in Lana Helmer had been almost quenched.
I believe we were thinking of the same thing now, and when I caught her eye the gay malice of it was not to be mistaken. "Lanette," said I, "take care! I am a soldier since you had your saucy way with me. You know that the military are not to be dealt with lightly. And I am grown up in these three years." "Grown soberer, perhaps. You always did conduct like a pious Broad-brim, Euan."
"Best look out for Boyd," said I. "He's of your own careless, reckless kind, Lanette. Sparks fly when flint and steel encounter." "Cold sparks, friend Broad-brim!" "Not too cold to set tinder afire." "Am I then tinder? You should know me better."
She shook her head; but we all begged her to disclose her dreams, saying laughingly that as dreams were the most important things in the lives of all Indians, our close association with them had rendered us credulous. "Come, Lanette," urged Boyd, "tell us what it is you see in dreams behind the veil." She hesitated, shuddered: "Flames always flames.
Word Of The Day