The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-11

and general appearance Of priest. but
his coat isn't very long"
Then he has laid aside the cassock
while travelling through this country
The prelate from Client, no doubt a
common priest, that the lieutenant un-
dertook to dignity. slipped directly out OF
my mind
Madame Ursule was waiting for me on
the gallery with fluted pillars at tho front
of the house.
"Msr Williams, where is Madeleine?"
Her anxiety vibrated through the dark
ness.
Isn't she here, madame?"
"She has not been seen to-day"
We stood in silence then began to speak
together.
But, madame"
"M's'r Williams"
II went away early"
when I heard from the Pawnees that
you had gone off on horseback so early
thought 1t possible you might have
taken her with YOU
Madame, how could do thatf'
"Of course you wouldn't have done that.
But we can't find her. We've inquired
all over La Baye. She lett the house when
no one saw her. She was never out after
nightfall BEFORE"
But, madame, she must be here!''
20, m's'r, my hope was that you knew
where she is-she has followed you about
so! The poor child may be at the bottom
Of the river!" -
"she can't be at the bottom Of the
riVer!" l retOrted.
The girls ran about. They were dressed
for a dance, and drew gauxy scarfs around
their anxious faces The house had been
searched from ground to attic more than
once. They were sure she must be hiding
from them.
remembered the figure that appeared
to me on the trail. My heart stopped.
could not humiliate my Cloud-Mothar by
placing her before them in the act Of
tracking me like dog. I could not tell
any one about it, but asked for Skene-
donk
The Indian had been out on tho river
in a canoe. He came silently, and stood
near me. The book was between US.
had it In the breast Of my coat, and he
had it on his conscience.
Bring out your horse and get me q.
fresh one" I said.
Where shall find oner"
pierre will give you one Of ours" said
Madame Ursule. But you must eat"
Il had my supper with the officers Of
the fort, madame. I would have made
a. briefer stay If I had known what had
happened on this side Of the river"
II forgot to tell you, M's'r. Williams,
there is an able here from Europe. He
has asked for you"
II cannot see him tonight"
Skenedonk drew near me to speak. but
I was impatient of any delay. We went
into the house, and Nine. Ursule said she
would bring q blanket and some food to
strap behind my saddle. The girls helped
her. There was hush through the jolly
house. The master hustled out Of the
family room. I saw behind him. stand
ing as he had stood at Mittau, a priest OF
fine and sweet presence. waiting for Pierre
Grignon to speak the words Of intro
duction.
1T is like seeing France again. ex-
claimed the master Of the house. "Abbe
Edgeworth, this is M's'r Williams" -,
| Monsieur" said the able to me with
perfect courtesy. believe me. am glad
| to see you"
| Monsieur" I answered, giving him as
brief notice as he had given me in Nit,
tau, yet without rancor-there was nc
room in me for that. You have uner.
ringly found the best house in the Illinoi.
territory. and leave you to the enjoy.
ment of it,
You are leaving the house. mon.
sieur?"
Il find am obliged to make a shor
Journey.
II have made a long one, monsieur.
may DO best to tell you that come
charged with message for you
I thought Of Nine. d'Angouleme. Thu
sister who had been mine for, a few
minutes, and from whom this priest hat
cast me out. declaring that God had smit
ten the pretender when my eclipse lait
me at his feet--remembered me in hel
second exile. perhaps believed In me still
Women put wonderful restraints upor
| themselves.
Able Edgeworth and I looked steadil,
at each other.
II hope Nine. d'Angoulene Is well7''
She is well, and. is still the cenforte,
| Of his majcsty's misfortune"
Monsieur the Able, g. message woult
need to be very urgent to be listened t.
tonight. I will give you audience IL
the morning, or when I return"
| We both bowed again. I took Pierr,
Grignon into the hall for counsel.
In the end he rode with me, for W
concluded to send Skenedonk with part!
along the east shore.
Though searching for tho lost is a,
experience cid as the world, its poignanc,
was new to ne. I saw Eagle tangled 1,
the wild oats Of the river. I saw he
treacherously dealt with by Indians VIII
called themselves at peace. I saw he
wandering out and out, mile beyond mile
to undwelt-in- places. and the tende
mercy of wolves.
We crossed the ferry and took to tn
trail. Pierre Grignon talking cheerfully.
Nothing has happened to her, MS
Williams" he insisted. mo Indian abou
La Baye would hurt her, and the child |
not so crazy as to hurt herself"
It was starless night, muffled over
head as the day had been, but withou
rain or mist. He had a lantern hanging a
his saddle bow, ready to light. In the ope
lands we rode side by side, but throug
growths along the Fox first one and the
the other led the way.
We found my door unfastened. re
membered for the first time had nc
locked it. Some one had been In tn
house. A low fire burned in the chin
ney. We stirred 1t and lighted the Ian
tern. Footprints not our own had drie
white upon the smooth dark floor.
They pointed to the fireplace and OF
) again. They had been made by a woman
feet. ...----- ".s~ '.-..
We descended the hill to the river, an
tossed our light through every bush, tn
lantern blinking in the wind. We az
plored the ravine, the light stealing owe
white birches that glistened like alabas
ter. It was no use to call her name. Sh
might be hidden behind a rock laughing q
t us. We had to surprise her to recove
her. Skenedonk would have traced he
/ where we lost the trail.
When we went back to the house, &c
jected with physical WEAKNESS, I ur
strapped the blanket and the food whic
I Madame 'Ursule had sent, and brougi
them to Pierre Grignon. He threw tt
blanket on the settle. laid out bread an
l meat on the table and ate, both Of ,