The National tribune., 1902-11-27

lowers of Bigot, he whom we have known
as st. Aubyn made a hasty exit, utter
ing no speech until he reached the outer
door, and then, as ne felt the cool air OF
of the mountains brush his brow, he eX-
claimed:
ut is blessing to wash ones lungs with
the pure breath of the open air, after be-
ing so long in that dense atmosphere. L
wonder if all is WELL" when he gave forth
the cry of the bird which had reached him
when he had stood at the head of the In
tendant'S table.
He did not have to wait long for an
answer, and this was swiftly followed by
the sight of tall well-known figure step
ping from behind the hedge, saying:
''Nows me, lad, / was getting skeery
lest some misadventure had cris-crossed
your trail"
Il had no trouble. Forester. But, tell
me, how has it Jared with you? Has
Mary been saved?'
LAY, lad, it be pleasant toy say she has.
The dusky skin followed the trail like
fox running to its den. i considered it
discreet to keep an eve on him, but there
was no need O. it. They are waiting for
sign clear the lass be impatient waiting
for you. ] jedge it will be well for us to
get away from here
Great excitement was reigning within
Beaumanoir, and lights were already seen
moving about. This, if no other reason,
should cause the twain to leave the scene
as rapidly as possible. But one of them,
at least, had other motives, and he was
the younger of the party, who was none
other than Eden Harwood, who had been
disguised as st. Aubyn, and had fairly
outwitted the cunning Bigot by holding
him back in his actions, while the Fores-
ter and another had rescued the captives
by the way of the secret passage running
from the old fort to the chateau.
A minute later the two came into sight
Of three persons standing in the shadows
of the ruined fortilage, two of them recog-
nized by their dress as women, and the
third, as plainly indicated by his garb,
as an Indian. As our twain approached
than Mary Shepley, came forward with
outstretched arms to meet them, saying:
'Oh, Edeni can this be your"
at is, darling, and this is the happiest
mement of my life," enfolding her in his
embrace as he spoke.
ut is indeed a JOY" she ,nurmured, and
In the ecstasy of their reunion the lovers,
uImindful Of their companions, pressed on
each others lips that seal of human hap
piness, loves kiss. How long they might
have remained thus, lost to all else save
the Forester said:
81 ne'er want to be wanton in the waste
o discretion, seeing young hearts are made
for joyments, but l opine We need to
leave this trail if we hope to follow an
other that shall be away from the inemy."
"You are right, Forester, and you must
forgive ne if 1 forgot our true situation
in my great joy. They are already astir
In the big building, and if Bigot's men are
a. l. Oh
be others to cause us trouble if We do not
improve our opportunity to reach some
other place. What is your plan now?"
'It may be best for US to steer up the
country as the river runs. Mebbe the
red here can lead US out O this amaze
ment, seeing he is better versed in the
trails hereabout."
The Indian being thus directly appeal
cd to replied:
"Merru-Maqua knows the path that will
take whites to river long way above
Quebec, if women can travel so far"
'Trust me for that" declared Mary, to
which Marie, who had been rescued with
her, gave hearty accordance. So, with
out longer delay, the young Chief of
6agarac led the little party of fugitives
away from the gloomy chateau, whose
walls were beginning to echo to the cries
Of the surprised occupants.
The course chosen by the young Chief
left the path leading from Charlebourg to
the chateau of Beaumanoir a short dis
lance from the grounds of that retreat,
and it led through the forest in a north
westerly direction. Nothing was said by
the little party of fugitives, who followed
as closely as possible upon the heels of
the light-footed guide. Eden HARDWOOD
lent such assistance as he could to Mary,
while the Forester assisted Marie when
ever she found it difficult to keep up with
the others. But the way was at places
difficult of passage, SO their progress was
often tedious.
they had left Beaumanoir, and a faint
streak of daylight was tinging the morn
Ing sky when the gaze of the fugitives
was gladdened by a CLEAN of water, seen
through the tree-tops ahead.
''The river" said Merru-Maqua, simply,
and q minute later the noble waterway
burst into full view.
"Aweel, nows me" said the Forester,
II ne'er previcate the truth when l affirm
that nothing would gladden. these OF eyes
more than the sight O. a stable canoe;
one just big enough to carry five O. u.s.
Making no reply to this speech, which
echoed the thoughts in the minds of the
others. Merru-Maqua stopped beside the
overhanging fringe of bushes, and giving
. gentle push sent fine specimen of the
craft mentioned by the scout into plain
view.
Eden HARDWOOD uttered a low exclama-
ton of joy, while the Forester, who had
schooled himself not to display any emo
ton under even extraordinary occasions,
said in his low tone:
Just what you might expect o. an In
dian! I'm ne'er unmindful o. the many
leetle s'prises they have sprung on me,
but not all on 'em afforded me SIGH Joy
ment as this. In fact, l ne'er preyicate
the truth when l say that many on 'em
showed wanton waste o. kindly feelings
But this be a ginuine 'joyment. / opine
we shall ne'er have great concarn Ger
the Frinchers, seeing they have not showed
their hands yet. But that be no reason
why We should waste SIGH discretion as
natur' has taught u.s."
While speaking he had assisted Marie
Into the canoe, and Eden had performed
an equal duty by Mary, when the last fol
lowed.
''The red and will care for the birch
declared the Forester. NAY, lad, opine
you and the lass be longing for q good
talk, seeing it has been goodish bit O
Q spell since your trails separated, and
queer knots have come into the string O
amazements. Time enough for you to try
your hand by and by, lad. l am not above
saying i am wondering how it fares witt
the Chief. hope the time wire gone will
not seem over-long."
"How long it seems since that dread
ful afternoon when the Indians destroyed
our home and-I know not what befe
father and mother. Do you know any
IF fl,air f,to