"I knew it, I knew it, and said it; yes, the Sergeant was wrong after all.""We can be friends, though we cannot be man and wife,"continued Mabel, almost as much disturbed as her compan-ion, scarcely knowing what she said; "we can always be friends, and always will.""I thought the Sergeant was mistaken," resumed the Pathfinder, when a great effort had enabled him to com-mand himself, "for I did not think my gifts were such as would please the fancy of a town-bred girl.It would have been better, Mabel, had he not over-presuaded me into a different notion; and it might have been better, too, had you not been so pleasant and confiding like; yes, it would.""If I thought any error of mine had raised false expec-tations in you, Pathfinder, however unintentionally on my part, I should never forgive myself; for, believe me, Iwould rather endure pain in my own feelings than you should suffer.""That's just it, Mabel, that's just it.These speeches aud opinions, spoken in so soft a voice, and in a way I'm so unused to in the woods, have done the mischief.But Inow see plainly, and begin to understand the difference between us better, and will strive to keep down thought, and to go abroad again as I used to do, looking for the game and the inimy.Ah's me, Mabel! I have indeed been on a false trail since we met.""In a little while you will forget all this, and think of me as a friend, who owes you her life.""This may be the way in the towns, but I doubt if it's nat'ral to the woods.With us, when the eye sees a lovely sight, it is apt to keep it long in view, or when the mind takes in an upright and proper feeling, it is loath to part with it.""You will forget it all, when you come seriously to recol-lect that I am altogether unsuited to be your wife.""So I told the Sergeant; but he would have it otherwise.
I knew you was too young and beautiful for one of middle age, like myself, and who never was comely to look at even in youth; and then your ways have not been my ways; nor would a hunter's cabin be a fitting place for one who was edicated among chiefs, as it were.If I were younger and comelier though, like Jasper Eau-douce -- ""Never mind Jasper Eau-douce," interrupted Mabel im-patiently; "we can talk of something else.""Jasper is a worthy lad, Mabel; ay, and a comely," re-turned the guileless guide, looking earnestly at the girl, as if he distrusted her judgment in speaking slightingly of his friend."Were I only half as comely as Jasper Wes-tern, my misgivings in this affair would not have been so great, and they might not have been so true.""We will not talk of Jasper Western," repeated Mabel, the color mounting to her temples; "he may be good enough in a gale, or on the lake, but he is not good enough to talk of here.""I fear me, Mabel, he is better than the man who is likely to be your husband, though the Sergeant says that never can take place.But the Sergeant was wrong once, and he may be wrong twice.""And who is likely to be my husband, Pathfinder! This is scarcely less strange than what has just passed between us.""I know it is nat'ral for like to seek like, and for them that have consorted much with officers' ladies to wish to be officers' ladies themselves.But, Mabel; I may speak plainly to you, I know; and I hope my words will not give you pain; for, now I understand what it is to be disap-pointed in such feelings, I wouldn't wish to cause even a Mingo sorrow on this head.But happiness is not always to be found in a marquee, any more than in a tent; and though the officers' quarters may look more tempting than the rest of the barracks, there is often great misery between husband and wife inside of their doors.""I do not doubt it in the least, Pathfinder; and, did it rest with me to decide, I would sooner follow you to some cabin in the woods, and share your fortune, whether it might be better or worse, than go inside the door of any officer I know, with an intention of remaining there as its master's wife.""Mabel, this is not what Lundie hopes, or Lundie thinks.""And what,care I for Lundie? He is major of the 55th, and may command his men to wheel and march about as he pleases; but he cannot compel me to wed the greatest or the meanest of his mess.Besides, what can you know of Lundie's wishes on such a subject?""From Lundie's own mouth.The Sergeant had told him that he wished me for a son-in-law; and the Major, being an old and a true friend, conversed with me on the subject.He put it to me plainly, whether it would not be more ginerous in me to let an officer succeed, than to strive to make you share a hunter's fortune.I owned the truth, I did; and that was, that I thought it might; but when he told me that the Quartermaster would be his choice, I would not abide by the conditions.No, no, Mabel; I know Davy Muir well, and though he may make you a lady, be can never make you a happy woman, or himself a gentleman.""My father has been very wrong if he has said or done aught to cause you sorrow, Pathfinder; and so great is my respect for you, so sincere my friendship, that were it not for one -- I mean that no person need fear Lieutenant Muir's influence with me -- I would rather remain as I am to my dying day than become a lady at the cost of being his wife.""I do not think you would say that which you do not feel, Mabel," returned Pathfinder earnestly.
"Not at such a moment, on such a subject, and least of all to you.No; Lieutenant Muir may find wives where he can -- my name shall never be on his catalogue.""Thank you, thank you for that, Mabel, for, though there is no longer any hope for me, I could never be happy were you to take to the Quartermaster.I feared the com-mission might count for something, I did; and I know the man.It is not jealousy that makes me speak in this manner, but truth, for I know the man.Now, were you to fancy a desarving youth, one like Jasper Western, for instance -- ""Why always mention Jasper Eau-douce, Pathfinder?
