A Little Girl in Old St. Louis

ft and balmy, full of the indescribable odors of spring. Birds began their pipings; rob

would bake a few corn cakes; they had demolished the loaf of b

d wished his host good-morn

e face, clear blue eyes that could flash like steel in a moment of indignation, yet in the main were rather humorous; chestnut hair, closely cropped, and a beard trimmed in the same fashion. He soused his head now in the miniature basin an

ught himself of the little girl and went into the house. Antoine was preparing breakfast. Renée

etched out her hands with a h

," she said, "

ch was so pure, the voice had an old

t St. Lou

re is th

. There is no king here. And we are

h." She sai

ay there may be another overturn. I do not see as i

se cursed river law

, it can't interfere

ar," the man fl

Denys

here a towel or a cloth of some

d. You should have left her at the convent. Farther b

her only blood kin, and you both cast he

the Sisters would

of a towel," exclaim

ted that it was soft and fine and not of home manufacture. Then he led Renée

t feels!" she c

s pocket, and combed out the tumbled hair. She winced now and then at a bad tangle, and laughed on the top of it. Then he bent

old man in there. Are you sure he is my grandfather? I couldn't liv

he Ind

of the Moon was

o have brought her wi

" She clapped her hands. "What

, the palisades, the stocka

ns in France," she

little, Renée, if you would

you?" She cl

a litt

lad to have me? Do

e young voice pi

no one to care for, no b

was a touch of almost regret in her

to-day and find some one to look after you

be so glad. L

now ever

ink the Queen couldn't have had any finer gown. They were just going to the palace, and papa kissed me farewell. It was very dreary

girl had had! It should all be better n

h, as Marie said, why

motion towa

He trades a little with the Indians and

ons to breakfas

forbidding now than he had last night. He was both sulky and surly, but the viands were appetizing, and

they rose from the table,

wn, the child and I," G

ne no

leak, trees leafless and apparently lifeless amid the almost black green of hemlocks and firs. Streams and pools frozen over, and a coldness that seemed to penetrate one's very soul. At Detroit it had softened

eady at the primitive landings, Indians and trappers in picturesque attire, gay feathers and red sashes; fringes down the sides of their long leggings and the top of their moccasins. Traders were there, too, sturdy brown-faced Frenchmen, many of whom had taken a tour or two up in the No

them. He really had an artist's soul;

high peak. A wide garden space, with fruit trees and young vegetables, some just peeping up from brown beds and a great space in front where grass might have grown if lit

e are very glad to see you. You have been absent a long while

skin with a dainty bloom on the cheek and a dimple in the broad chin. Her lips had t

"Ought I to say 'ma'm'selle' now?" glancing her all over, from th

I have not grown as much as that. I s

married. Then you will

good a home to give up l

but with the same dark eyes and hair. Her sleeves were rolled up above her elb

h, much," with an emphasis. "We were not sure but some Quebec belle would cap

r play and were edging nearer Renée

out the child. May I no

a bad name," smiling with amusement. "Here is a chair, and

, then from Quebec in not the pleasantest of weathe

e child's shoulder, and she

raised her eye

he daughter of

ied her to some great person and she died in

his girl, and she stole a little furtive glance; but the man's face was n

's service at the palace. They sent the child ov

ée Freneau's chi

irl, who flushed and cast down her e

is no home

d cabin, where men meet to carouse, and stran

ugh to satisfy myself for one while. I shall go into trading, and have some one keep a house for m

m'sieu," en

to you," looking up,

wanted without much argument. Perhaps it was no

take her in a little while, I think she will enjoy be

ose her mother so soon! And you thi

ould not know wha

d gave a nod, throwing her head back

e. It will not be for long. And how shall I appear

two and thir

ed thirty," sub

r the good père. Then there are three others, and papa is as proud of them as was ever an

h laughe

d upon some nice girl at the balls. Y

irst had a fancy for a life of adventure. But, as I said, I think of settlin

r son. True, he was a great burden and care, and she has spent

hould want some one settled in her ways, content to stay at home

ilimackinac. They had bad work at the Mission with the Indi

e if you wait too long. The child's box comes in from St. Charles; they would not stir a step farther last night. I must

tle one for good and all and let

better paid. And now I must be going. I e

ey say, has some grand people in it. But, ba

d out dough fairly brown with spices and cut it in little c

? Renée-what is her name?

de Long

"I want to go with you," sh

is her king or was until she

k again some day. Renée, will you not stay and play with the childr

ith a long breath; "

will bring her in to dinner?

t, to

er to death drag

forefend," i

lanced at Renée, half questioni

ng their towns on the margin of a river. Partly, perhaps, from fear of the Indians, but quite as much from innate sociability, as they preferred compactness, and d

was who had laid out the town and named its streets. On the main street was his large store, but it was then the end of Rue Royale. He had welcomed the emigrat

. Indians with blankets around them or with really gay trappings; coureur de bois; Frenchmen, both jolly and stern, chaffering, buying, sending piles

ox belonging to the child, and re

e had a blue cotton kerchief tied round his head, buckskin trousers, and a sort of blouse coat made of coarse woollen s

age! Were you up to the north? It is a good

g mouth showed w

r regions. I took

longing. They are gay people in those old towns, and the state they keep is somet

t our good Pierre Laclede is content

and at New Orleans it is said they make a man lose his head if they

you b

s boat load, but it will not be in until n

y fellow to meet you. I feel quite strange after my long absence. I suppose the old storehouse ha

coat on his back he need

fall amon

omical shrug. "And somet

arse covering; some sacks made of hide; several boxes bound a

nys," looking askance as if

box is to go to

pile on the goods, fastenin

ou go

box and guard these two bundles, and

ndifferently, and now he dropped on the box like a weight of lead, w

," said Denys to the littl

rough stone, with a heavy doorway that looked as if it had been deserted a long while, which was true enou

ifficulty, threw open the doo

ed up. I will attend to that to-morrow. Dump t

ound, with two or three fine trees and a huddle of grape-vines fallen to the ground. It did not look altogether inviting. But just beyond was the Rue de la

hing him as he

lace for a little

o live here?" wi

e fixed up. And-a flowe

and she slipped her hand in hi

nd keep the house tidy. Oh, it will be all right when it is cleared up.

ed forth a torrent of melody. Her eyes grew lumi

to them at the chateau and feed them w

we will have nice times togethe

face went to his heart. Ye

parcels, and took his way to Madame Renaud's. D

t. That will be quite a landmark for you. And the great Indian chi

ely. "Only the babies are so odd, and the little c

y good friends wi

e that she did not care to linger over. Then they turned into the street of the Barns, La rue des Gr

inkled, but her eyes were bright, and her cheeks still had a color in them. She wore the coif, her best one being white, but this a sort of faded plaid. Her skirt just came to her ankles, and to-day she had

er took him before she went. And now she worked a little for the neighbors. Everybody was kind to her. An

an assenting light in them. Over the meal he made his pr

ome. Oh, how can I thank you! Yes, I will gladly keep your house, and care for the child, and strive to please y

n, we will begi

ow," she repl