I once knew it well, especially around this place.
Indeed!
Yes. If I remember right, there was a cabin here upon the very spot on which your house is now standing. It was inhabited by an old hunter by the name of Rook Jeremiah or Jerry Rook.
That is my fathers name.
Then it must have been he. What a change! It was all standing timber around scarce an acre of clearing.
That is true. It is only lately that my father bought the land, and cleared it as you see. We are better off than we were then.
Has your father any family besides yourself a son, or son-in-law ?
Not any, sir, replied the young girl, turning upon the questioner a look of some surprise; I am the only one his only daughter. Why do you ask?
I thought I remembered or had heard something
Heard what, sir? asked she, cutting short the stammering speech.
Of a young man a boy, rather who lived in your fathers cabin. Was he not your brother?
I never had one. He you speak of was no relative to us.
There was some one, then?
Yes. He is gone away gone years ago.
The serious tone in which these words were spoken something like a sigh that accompanied them, with a shadow that made its appearance on the countenance of the speaker were signs pleasing to the interrogator. His heart beat joyfully as he put upon them his own interpretation.
Before he could question her further, the young girl, as if stirred by a sudden thought, looked inquiringly in his face.
You say you knew this place well, sir? When did you leave it? Was it a long time ago?
Not so long either; but, alas! long enough for you to have forgotten me, Lena.
Pierre, it is you !
Story 1-Chapter XVI. Absence Explained
From the first moment of seeing him, the young girl had felt strange thoughts stealing over her weird memories, awakened by that manly presence that scarce seemed unknown to her.
She knew that Pierre Robideau still lived, and that her father had compelled her to keep it a secret. But why, she knew not, nor why her father had sent him away. It was well she knew not this.
Equally ignorant had she been kept as to where he had gone.
California, her father told her; and this was indeed true. But what knew she of California? Nothing beyond the fact of its being a far distant land, where people went to gather gold.
This much was known to every one in the settlements around every one in America.
Lena Rook thought not of the gold. She thought only of her old playmate, and wondered why he was staying so long away.
Was he never going to return? He who had won the girls heart the firstlings of her young love had stood under the forest tree, clasping her in his arms, and telling her she had won his!
And on that dread night, when he lay upon the couch, slowly recovering from the terrible
strangulation, was not the first word breathed forth from his lips her own name Lena?
And to have gone away, and staid away, and forgotten all this!
It was not strange she wondered, not strange she grieved or that the cloud of melancholy, already remarked upon, sat almost continually on her countenance.
She had not forgotten him not for a single day. Throughout the long lonely years, there was scarce an hour in which she did not think, though not permitted to speak, of him. She had been true to him both in heart and hand true against scores of solicitations, including that of Alfred Brandon, who was now seeking her hand in marriage, determined upon obtaining it.
But she had resisted his suit even braving the displeasure of her father who was backing it.
And all for the memory of one who had gone away, without explaining the cause of his departure, or making promise to return.
Often had she thought of this, and with bitterness at times, too, with a feeling akin to spite.
But now with Pierre once more in her presence, his tall graceful form before her eyes, she instantly forgot all, and threw herself sobbing upon his breast.
There was no reservation in the act no pretence of prudery. Lenas instinct told her he was still loyal, and the firm, fervent pressure of his arms, as he received her in that sweet embrace, confirmed it.
For some time both remained silent their hearts too happy for speech.
At length it returned to them, Lena taking the initiative.
But tell me, Pierre, why did you stay from me, and for such a time?
Your question is easily answered, Lena. I have made a long journey to begin with. I have been to California, and spent some time there in searching for gold. But that is not altogether what delayed me. I was for three years a prisoner among the Arapahoes.
Arapahoes? What are they?
A tribe of Indians, who roam over the big prairie. I might have been still in their hands, but for a party of Choctaws my mothers people, you know who chanced to come among the Arapahoes. They rescued me by paying a ransom, and brought me back with them to the Choctaw country, west of here, whence I have just come almost direct.
O, Pierre! I am so happy you are here again. And you have grown so big and so beautiful, Pierre. But you were always beautiful, Pierre. And you have been to California? I heard that. But tell me, why did you go there at all?