Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-07-14

with a wave OF the arm, he sprang
up the low bank and Joined his In
dams. 1 could not hear what he said,
but with "a single word he left them
and disappeared among the trees at
the foot of the bluff.
He must have scrambled straight up
the steep face of the bluff, for 1t could
have been scarcely more than a min
ute when 1 heard him crunching a pas
sage through the bushes, and then
saw him emerge above the edge. Cling
ing to a tree limb, his eyes sought
eagerly to locate me, and when l
stepped forward, he sprang erect and
bowed, jerking his hat from his head.
There was about his action the en-
thusiasm of a boy, and his face glowed
with an eagerness and delight which
instantly broke down every barrier
between US.
sYou waved to me?" he exclaimed.
"You wished me to Gomez"
YES" 1 confessed, swept from my
guard by his enthusiasm. Il have
been anxious to confer with you, and
this Is my first opportunity"
why l thought you avoided me-"
he burst forth. 1T is because | felt
so that l have kept away"
.There was nothing else I could do
but pretend" l exclaimed, gaining
control over my voice as l spoke. my
every movement has been watched
since we left Quebec; this Is the first
moment 1 have been left alone-if,
indeed, l am now" And 1 glanced
about doubtfully into the shadows of
the forest.
you imagine you may have been
followed here? By whom? Cassion?"
"By himself or some emissary. Pere
Allouez has been my jailer, but
chances to be disabled at present. The
commissaire permitted me to climb
here alone, believing you to be safely
camped above the rapids, yet his sus-
picions may easily revive"
His suspicions!' the sieur laughed
softly. $50 that then is the trouble?
It is to keep US apart that he bids me
make separate camp each night; and
assigns me ito every post of peril. l
feel the honor, mademoiselle, yet why
am l especially singled out for so
great a distinctions"
"He suspects us of being friends.
He knew l conferred with you at the
convent, and even believes that you
were with me hidden behind the cur
tain In the governors Office"
yet If all that be true" he ques-
toned, his voice ~evidencing his sur
prise. why should our friendship
arouse his antagonism to such an ex-
tent? l cannot understand what crime
I have committed, mademoiselle. 1t
is all mystery, eve why you should
be here with us on this long journey?
Surely you had no such thought when
we parted last?"
"You do not know what has oc-
curred?" I asked, in establishment. mo
one has told your
'1Told me! How? l have scarcely
held speech with anyone but the Al
gonquin chief since we took to the
water. Cassion has but given orders,
and Chevet is mum as an oyster. l
e~ndeavored to find you in Montreal,
but you were safely locked behind
gray walls. That something was wrong
l felt convinced, yet what it might be
no one would tell me. 1 tried ques-
tioning the pere, but he only shook
his head and left me unanswered.
Tell me then, mademoiselle, by what
right does this Cassion hold you as a
captive?"
Ny lips trembled, and my eyes fell,
yet I must answer.
HE is my husband, monsieur"
1 caught glimpse of his face, pic
turing surprise, incredulity. he drew
q sharp breath and / noted his hand
close tightly on the hilt Of his knife.
"Your husband! that cur! Surely
you do not jestT'
would that I did," I exclaimed,
losing all control In sudden wave OF
anger. "No, monsieur, it is true"
And I told him swiftly the story of
my enforced marriage.
"And Hugo Chevet, your uncle? Did
be remain silent? make no protest?"
he asked.
I gave a gesture of despair.
"Hei Never did he ever conceive
what occurred, until l told him later
on the river. Even now l doubt If
his sluggish brain has grasped the
truth. To him the alliance was an
honor, an opening to possible wealth
in the fur trade through Cassion's in
fluencer with La Barre. He could per-
ceive nothing else except his good luck
in thus Kidding himself of the care
of a poor niece who had been a sorry
burden"
"But you explained to him?"
st tried to, but only to regret the
effort. Giant as he is physically, his
intellect is that of a big boy. All he
can conceive of is revenge-a desire to
crush with his hands. He hates Cas-
sion. because the man has robbed him