Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1916-10-05
CHAPTER xIx.-contlnusd.

"You refuse obedience to the cover.
nor of New France2"
"No, monsieur; am under orders
to obey. There will he no trouble be.
tween Us IL you are Just to my men.
La Barre Is not here to decide this,
but am" He put his hand on DAT.
tigny's shoulder. Monsieur Casslon
charges this man with murder. He is
an officer of my command, and |
arrest him. He shall be protected,
and given a fair trial. What more
can you ask"
"You win protect him! help him to
escape. rather" burst out Cassion.
''That is the scheme, De Baugls."
"Your words are insult, monsieur
and bear no more. II you seek quar-.
rel, you shall have IT. / am your equal,
monsieur, and my commission comes
from the king. All, N. de la Duran
taye, what say you Of this matter?"
A man, broad-shouldered, In the
dress OF a woodsman, elbowed his
way through the throng of soldiers.
He had a strong. good-humored face.
ain faith, heard little of the con-
troversy. yet tbs like know the gist
of IT, as have just conversed with
q wounded soldier of mine, Barbeau,
who repeated the story as he under
stood it. My hand to you, Sieur OAR,
tigny, and 1t seems to me, messieurs,
that De Tonty hath the right Of it."
"You take his side against us who
have the authority of the governor"
"Pahl that is not the issue. 'Tis
merely a question of justice to this lad
here. l stand for fair trial with Henri
de Tonty, and will back my judgment
with my sword"
They stood eye to eye, the four of
them, and the group OF soldiers seemed
to divide, each company drawing to-
gether. Cassion growled some vague
threat, but De Baugis took another
course, gripping his companion by the
arm.
mo, Francois, tits not worth the
danger" he expostulated. "There will
be no crossing of steel. Monsieur Cas-
zion, no doubt, hath reason to be an
gered-but not I. The man shall have
his trial, and we will learn the right
and wrong of all this presently. Mon
sieur Tonty, the prisoner is left in
your charge. Fall back men-to your
barracks. Madame, permit me to Of.
fer you my escort"
"To where, monsieur"
''To the only quarters fitted for your
reception" he said CALAMITY, "those
1 have occupied since arrival here"
"You vacate them for met"
"With the utmost pleasure" bowling
CALAMITY. II beg of you their accept
,ance; your husband has been my
guest, and will Join me In exile"
~ will use your quarters gladly,
Captain de Baugis," 1 said quietly,
''but will ask to be left there undis-
turbed."
''AIost assuredly, madame-my serv,
ant will accompany you"
"Then good night, messieurs."
faced Cassion, meeting his eyes frank
ly. ~ am greatly wearied, and would
rest; tomorrow will speak with you,
monsieur. Permit to pass"
He stood aside, unable to affront
me, although the anger in his face was
evidence enough of brewing trouble.
Baugis, and felt no desire now to have
our true relations exposed thus pub
iicly. l passed him, glancing at none
of the others, and followed the soldier
across the beaten parade. A moment
later was safely hidden within a
two-roomed cabin.
A table and two chairs, rudely made
with ak and knife, comprised the en-
tire furniture, but a small mirror, I'M
framed, hung suspended against the
farther wall. glanced at my reflec-
ton in the glass, surprised to learn
now little change the weeks had made
in my appearance. 1t was still the
face of a girl which gaZed back at
me, with clear, wide.open eyes, and
cheeks flushed in the freight. Strange
to say, the very sight of my youthful
ness was a disappointment, and
brought with it doubt. How could I
dght these men? How could hope
10 Win dBdluSL Iuelf bCuSlueS anu
plans of vengeance?
opened the single window, and
leaned out, grateful for the fresh air
Blowing against my face, but unable
to perceive the scene below shrouded
IN darkness. Far away, down the
valley, was the red glow OF fire, its
dame rejecting over the surface Of
the river. 1 knew l stared down into
q great void, but could hear no sound
except faint gurgle of water directly
beneath. closed the window shutter,
and, urged by some impulse, crossed
over to the door leading to the other
apartment 1t was a sleeping room,
scarcely more than large closet with
garments hanging on pegs against the
dogs. and two rude hunks opposite the
door. Bnt the thing which captured
my eyes was a bag Of brown leather
fying on the floor at the head of one
of the bunks--a shapeless bag, having
no distinctive mark about 1t, and yet