IN THE OLD WEST 325 



knew the name was a common one ; but, associated 

 with feelings which she had never got the better 

 of, it recalled a sad epoch in her former life, to 

 which she could not look back without mingled 

 pain and pleasure. 



Once only, and about two years after his de- 

 parture, had she ever received tidings of her 

 former lover. A mountaineer had returned from 

 the Far West to settle in his native state, and had 

 found his way to the neighborhood of old Brand's 

 farm. Meeting him by accident, Mary, hearing 

 him speak of the mountain hunters, had inquired, 

 tremblingly, after La Bonte. Her informant 

 knew him well — had trapped in company with 

 him — and had heard at the trading-fort, whence 

 he had taken his departure for the settlements, 

 that La Bonte had been killed on the Yellow 

 Stone by Blackfeet; which report was confirmed 

 by some Indians of that nation. This was all she 

 had ever learned of the lover of her youth. 



Now, upon hearing the name of La Bonte so 

 often mentioned by Antoine, a vague hope was 

 raised in her breast that he was still alive; and 

 she took an opportunity of questioning the Cana- 

 dian closely on the subject. 



" Who was this La Bonte, Antoine, who you 

 say was so brave a mountaineer.^ " she asked one 

 day. 



" J'ne sais pas ; he vas un beau gar9on, and 

 strong comme le diable — enfant de garce, mais 



