"Oh! has my little Julie lost her heart? I hope your chief has left a little for me."
"I like mon chef, a good deal, but I love mademoiselle better than anybody in the world;" and the sweet, round, dimpled little maiden put her smooth arms closely and tenderly about the neck of her mistress.
"But how came about this sudden captivation of heart?" They were now in Annette's sweet tasty bed chamber, fresh and cool with the night air, and delicately fragrant with the breath of prairie flowers.
"You will not wonder when I tell you mademoiselle. You know I went away, shortly after the arrival of the warriors, to the little gray fountain. I sat here listening to the gurgle of the water, for my heart was sad, and filled with troublesome forebodings about you, and your deliverer 'Ah, I said, before ma maitresse fell into the freshet river, she wanted no stranger's love but mine. Now he who delivered her from death below the Chute, has crept into her heart; and she may think no more of her fond, and faithful Julie."
"What an absurd, sweet, little creature it is," murmured Annette.
"There I sat, dabbling my fingers in the babbling water when I saw a straight, tall, handsome man approaching me. He walked direct to the fountain and lifting his cap said:
"'Pardonnez, ma chere Julie.' His large eyes were very bright, but the light shining in them was a great tenderness.
"I did not know what to reply, but I rose to go, saying.
"'Monsieur le chef will excuse me. It is late; and I must return.'
"He folded his arms across his breast, and turned so that the moonlight shone full upon his face.