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"Once I thought I did, but she has changed so greatly in the last few days that I am hardly sure. A young girl's life is often filled with mystery, and there are happenings that turn girlhood to womanhood in a single hour. Love has power to change the nature as by magic, and sorrow also has a like rare gift. Do you still greatly wish to find this Elsa Matherson?"
At sight of a stranger she drew back slightly, yet paused to ask: "Did you wish to see some one here?" "I am seeking for a young girl," I answered, wondering if this could possibly be she, "and they told me at the Fort I should probably find her here. May I ask if you are Elsa Matherson?" For a moment she looked out at me, as if I might be an escaped lunatic.
I confess that my memory was still lingering upon De Croix, and my eyes turned often enough along our foam-flecked wake in vague wonderment at his fate. It was Mademoiselle who laid hand softly on my knee at last, and aroused my attention to her. "Why did you tell Sister Celeste that you came to Dearborn seeking Elsa Matherson?" she questioned, her clear eyes intently reading my face.
This had been endorsed by another and bolder hand: Captain Roger Matherson, late of the Massachusetts Continental Line, died at this fort, of fever, fourteenth June, 1812. His daughter is being cared for by the ladies of the garrison. NATHAN HEALD, Capt. First Regt. Inf., Commanding.
But it's all the same as ours, for I am his brother-in-law, and have his written authority to dispose of it as I see fit. Besides, this is his son, and we have been hunting this raft for the best part of a month. By-the-way, Winn, these are two old, or rather two young, campmates of mine, Mr. Glen Eddy I mean Matherson; no, I beg pardon Elting is the name at present, I believe."
'All this was taking place, more than two years afterwards, on board that nautical ruin the Fire-Queen this Jones had got charge of quite by a funny accident, too from Matherson mad Matherson they generally called him the same who used to hang out in Hai-phong, you know, before the occupation days. The old chap snuffled on
So it was that my restless mind dwelt rather upon other matters more directly personal. I could not put away the thought of the half-seen girl flitting about amid the dusk of the Pottawattomie camp, especially as Captain Heald had declared her to be Elsa Matherson.
"Nay, they need not," and I caught the sudden glitter of tears on her lashes; "for I am Elsa Matherson." "You? you?" and I crushed her soft hand within my fingers, as I peered forward at the quickly lowered face. "Why, you are French, Mademoiselle, and of a different name!" She glanced up now into my puzzled face, a bit shyly, yet with some of the old roguishness visible in her eyes.
"The half-breed chief said there were yet white settlers upon the Saint Joseph, Mademoiselle; and the mouth of that river should be easily found." She turned toward me, a slight frown darkening her face. "I wish you would not call me Mademoiselle," she said slowly. "It is as if we were still mere strangers; and you said Elsa Matherson was to be as your sister."
My heart drew me toward the one, my clear duty to the other; and I could see no way out of the dilemma except to find Elsa Matherson without delay, in order that the two should be close together where, as need arose, I could stand between them and whatever of evil impended. I fear I was an indifferent guest, for I was never nimble of tongue, and that night I was more silent than usual.
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