"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

"Never mind." It was an accomplishment with which the girls credited you,"
said Betty, with a little laugh.

"I suppose I did not deserve it. I heard I had a singular aptitude for
discovering young ladies in distress."

"Have you become well acquainted with the boys?" asked Betty, hastening to
change the subject.

"Oh, yes, particularly with your Indianized brother, Isaac. He is the finest
fellow, as well as the most interesting, I ever knew. I like Colonel Zane
immensely too. The dark, quiet fellow, Jack, or John, they call him, is not
like your other brothers. The hunter, Wetzel, inspires me with awe. Everyone
has been most kind to me and I have almost forgotten that I was a wanderer."

"I am glad to hear that," said Betty.

"Miss Zane," continued Alfred, "doubtless you have heard that I came West
because I was compelled to leave my home. Please do not believe everything you
hear of me. Some day I may tell you my story if you care to hear it. Suffice
it to say now that I left my home of my own free will and I could go back
to-morrow."

"I did not mean to imply--" began Betty, coloring.

"Of course not. But tell me about yourself. Is it not rather dull and lonesome
here for you?"

"It was last winter. But I have been contented and happy this summer. Of
course, it is not Philadelphia life, and I miss the excitement and gayety of
my uncle's house. I knew my place was with my brothers. My aunt pleaded with
me to live with her and not go to the wilderness. I had everything I wanted
there--luxury, society, parties, balls, dances, friends--all that the heart of
a girl could desire, but I preferred to come to this little frontier
settlement. Strange choice for a girl, was it not?"

"Unusual, yes," answered Alfred, gravely. "And I cannot but wonder what
motives actuated our coming to Fort Henry. I came to seek my fortune. You came
to bring sunshine into the home of your brother, and left your fortune behind
you. Well, your motive has the element of nobility. Mine has nothing but that
of recklessness. I would like to read the future."

"I do not think it is right to have such a wish. With the veil rolled away
could you work as hard, accomplish as much? I do not want to know the future.
Perhaps some of it will be unhappy. I have made my choice and will cheerfully
abide by it. I rather envy your being a man. You have the world to conquer. A
woman--what can she do? She can knead the dough, ply the distaff, and sit by
the lattice and watch and wait."