Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1905-11-23

she would have to pass near him on
her return. Soon she appeared, and
the young officer with a sweeping bow
sought to engage her in conversation.
but she pushed hurriedly by without
looking at him. He strove to detain
her by touching her arm. She ut
tered a slight cry of alarm and fled.
That night the chevaier was sit
ting in his lodge, which was lighted
by pine knot. His scanty writing
material lay on the table before him.
The composition he was making evil
dently was an effort, for he stopped,
scowled, and bit his quill at every
few words. "A louis dor for rhyme
to 'donnee," he muttered. A knock
aroused him and the Sieur de Boisron-
det entered.
Pardon my intrusion, chevalier,"
he began hurriedly but determinedly,
but | have a word of warning for
you"
Baugis looked up in surprise. What
warning can one of the men whose
| commander | shall shortly be give to
me?" he asked haughtily
"'Tis this" resumed De BOsrondet,
| quietly; you have come here and are
suffered to remain as the guest of our
commander, the only commander we
recognize, NJ. le Capitaine Tonti. You
| have publicly behaved in a manner
disCourteous to him. His men, his In
dian allies, are devoted to him. If
they should become incensed I could
Has your precious leader sent you
here with this threat?" was the sneer-
ing inquiry. why does he not come
in person? l shall not hurt him"
"He knows nothing about my err
rand" was the quiet reply. There is
| another matter | would speak of also"
Ma, fol! more offenses Go on;
| suppose l am a schoolboy and must be
reprimanded."
You have been seen endeavoring to
force distasteful attentions upon the
young donnee."
'Parbleu!" broke in Baugis angrily.
| Am l to be held accountable for my
every act in this wilderness? What if
| choose to speak to pretty face?
Who but the priests are there who will
rebuke me?"
Another such action and you will
have TO deal with Capitaine Tonti.
warn you it will not seem a small
matter in his eyes"
so, mon Dieu! this mighty capitaine
of yours will interfere, will he? Pray
| tell me by what right he assumes to be
my censor? Is he her brother? OF
husband? Or"
The speaker did not finish; the smirli
| upon his face suddenly faded away.
| During the conversation a small figure
| climbed nOiselcssly in through the Win
| dow behind him. AS he was speaking
he suddenly felt the cold impress OF
a gun muzzle placed against the back
of his neck and he heard a voice that
chilled him with the grim determina-
! ton in its tone. "Finish that sentence
or make single move and | shall
| blow your body to the four corners OF
| the room and your soul to hell. Take
| up your pen and write. Say that you
| agree to behave with all due respect to
| your host, that you will cease forever
| all attempts to communicate with the
! donnee or to annoy her in any way.
and that you will bear no malice to
| either of them nor towards the two of
us present now"
| The man, although brave, could not
repress shudder at his predicament.
and after a moments hesitation wrote
as commanded, and signed his name
with flourish. Hand it to me over
your shoulder" continued the voice.
| When he did so the weapon was re-
moved and he turned quickly about
to see the form of Pompon standing be-
hind his chair.
| Before word could be said by any
| one a knock was heard at the door and
| Tonti entered. II was just making my
| rounds for the night, chevalier, and /
stopped to see if" here his eyes fell
upon Baugis companions and he
paused in wonderment
Il have been receiving some of your
| friends and have been entertained by
their conversation" the officer began
blandly. They have doubtless come
from you, as their errand was in your
interest. They have procured a little
writing from me by means which,
though unpleasant, have been effectu-
| al"
Tonti, still more astonished, seeing
the paper in the hands of Pompon, took
it and read the contents. He flushed
and, raising his eyes to Baugis, said
earnestly:
Il trust, chevaler, that you do not
believe me to be party to this pro-
ceeding. My misguided friends have
taken far different measures than |
should have done. But since the mat
ter has been under discussion | will
say that my desire as to the young
donnee is that you carry out the spirit
Of what you have written here. But
to show you that put the matter on