Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-06-22
CHAPTER iV.-continued.

adele, arrived at the ball with Cas-
sion, has Just been introduced to Gov
ernor la Barre. She hears him warn
her escort to beware of D'Artigny.)
"Perehance not, yet the way is long,
and he knows the wilderness. advise
you guard him well. | shall send to
YOU for council in an hour: there are
papers yet unsigned"
He turned away to greet those who
followed us in line, while we moved
forward into the crowd about the
walls. Oassion whispered in my ear,
telling me bits of gossip about this
and that one who passed us, seeking
to exhibit his wit, and impress me
with his wide acquaintance. | must
have made fit response, for his voice
never ceased, yet I felt no interest in
the stories, and disliked the man more
than eve for his vapid Boosting. The
truth is my thought was principally
concerned with D'Artigny, and wheth-
er he would really gain admission, Still
of this | had small doubt, for his was
a daring to make light of guards, or
any threat of enemies, if desire urged
him on. And I had his pledge.
My eyes watched every moving fig
are, but the man was not present, my
anxiety increasing as l realized his
absence, and speculated as to its cause
Could Casslon have interfered? Could
he have learned of our interview, and
used his influence secretly to prevent
our meeting again? 1t was not impos-
sible, for the man was seemingly in
close touch with Quebec, and undoubt-
eddy possessed power. My desire to
see D'Artigny was now for his own
+ sake-to warn him of danger and
~treachery. The few words | had caught
passing between La Barre and Cas-
sion had to me a sinister meaning;
they were a promise of protection
from the governor to his lieutenant,
and this officer of La SaIle's should be
warned that he was suspected and
watched. There was more to La
Barrels words than appeared openly;
lit would be later, when they were
alone, that he would give his real
orders to Cassion. Yet | felt small
doubt as to what those orders would
be, nor Of the failure of the lieutenant
10 execute them. The wilderness hid
many a secret, and might well conceal
another. In some manner that night
7 must hnd D'Artigny, and whisper my
warming. O.
These were my thoughts, crystalliz-
ing into purpose, yet L managed to
smile cheerily into the face of the COM
missaire and make such reply to bis
Dadinage as gave him pleasure. |
danced with him twice, pleased to
know | had not forgotten the step, and
then, as he felt compelled to show at
tention to the governors lady, he left
me in charge of a tall, thin officer-a
Major Gallons, I think - reluctantly
and disappeared in the crowd. Never
did | part with one more willingly
and as the major spoke scarcely q
dozen words during III long dance to-
gether l found opportunity to think
and decide upon a course Of action.
As the music ceased my only plan
was to avoid Casslon as long as pos
sible, and, at my suggestion, the silent
. N,AlL4 natt1V1nfn1 = IN a cfdn rnnm
and then disappeared, seeking refresh
ments. | grasped the opportunity tC
slip through the crowd, and find con
cealment In a quiet corner.
| leaned forward scanning each pass
Ding face, my whole attention concen
krated on the discovery Of D'Artigny
where he came from | knew not, bui
his voice softly speaking at my very
ear brought me to my feet, with 9
little cry of relief. The Joy of finding
him must have found expression In my
,eyes, in my eager clasping Of his hand
Yer he laughed.
"sTis as though I was truly wei
coined, mademoiselle," he said, ant
gravely enough. "Could | hope tina
you were even seeking me yonderg"
1T would be the truth, IL you did,
I responded frankly, land l was be
ginning to doubt your promise"
Nor was 1t as easily kept as | sup
posed when given" he said under hii
breath. "Come with me into this sid'
room where we can onverse mor'
freely can perceive Monsieur Gas
sion across the floor. No doubt he 4
seeking you, and my presence her
will give the man no pleasure"
I glanced in the direction indicated
and although I saw nothing of th'
commissaire, | slipped back wIlllngl,
enough through the lifted curtain int
he deserted room behind. IT wa
Violently an Office Of ONE kind, 70
contained only q desk and SOM
irs, and was unIIghted, except 70