Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1916-08-04
CHAPTER XIV.
We Decide Our Course.

I accepted D'Artigny's outstretched
hand, and permitted him to assist me
down the bank. The new arrival was
just within the edge of the forest,
bending over a freshly kindled fire,
barely commencing to blaze, and be-
side him on the grass lay a wild fowl,
already plucked of its feathers. So
intent was the fellow at his task, he
did not ever lift his head until my
companion hailed him.
"Barbeau, here is the lady of whom
I spoke-the wife Of Monsieur Cas-
SION"
He stood up and made me a salute,
as though I were an officer, as odd a.
looking little man as ever l had seen,
with a small, peaked face, a mop OF
black hair, and a pair of shrewd, hu-
tmorous Eyes. His dress was that OF
a courier du bois, with no trace or
uniform save the blue forage cap
gripped in one hand, yet he stood stir
as If on parade. In spite Of his strange,
uncouth appearance there was that In
his face which Won my favor, and L
held out my hand.
"You are a soldier Of France, Mon
sieur d'ArHgny tells me-"
"Yes, madame, of the Regiment
Carignan-Salliers," he answered.
81 wonder have you served long?
My father was an officer In that COM
mand-Captain la Chesnayne."
The expression on the mans face
changed magically.
"You the daughter Of Captain la
Chesnayne," he exclaimed, the words
bursting forth uncontrolled, land mar
r1ed to Cassion! how can this be?"
"You knew him then-my fatherT'
GAY, madame; I was with him at
the Richelieu, at the village of the
Mohawks; and at Bots lie Blanc, where
he died. I am Jacques Barbeau, a
soldier for 20 years; did he not speak
to you of meY'
II was but a girl when he was
killed, and we seldom met, for he was
usually on campaign. Yet what do
you NEAR by thus expressing surprise
at my marriage to Monsieur CassionT'
He hesitated, evidently regretting
his impulsive speech, and glancing
from my face into the stern eyes OF
D'Artigny.
Monsieur, madame, I spoke hastily;
1t vas not my place"
THAT may be true, Barbeau," re-
piled the Sieur grimly, yet the words
have been said, and the lady has a
right to have them explained. Wat
there quarrel between her father and
this Francois Cassion?"
"Ay, there was, and bitter, although
I know nothing as to the cause. Cas-
hear is governor Of New France
were alike opposed to Captain la Ches-
nayne, and but for reports they made
he would have been the colonel. He
struck Cassion In the mess tent, and
they were 10 fight the very morning
the Iroquois met us at Bots lie Blanc.
twas the talk Of the lei that b
captain was shot from behind"
"By Cassion?"
'"That 1 cannot say; yet the bullet
entered behind the ear, for I was first
to reach him, and he had no other
enemy In the Regiment Carignan-Sal-
liers. The feeling against M Cas-
sion was 80 strong that he resigned In
a few months. You never heard thisf"
I could not answer, but stood silent
with bowed head. I felt D'Artgny
place his hand on my shoulder.
1.-THE lady did not know" he said
gravely, as though he felt the neces-
sity of an explanation. "She was at
school In a convent at Quebec, and no
rumor reached her. She is thankful
to you for what you have said, Bar
beau, and can trust you as her fathers
friend and comrade. May I tell him
the truth, madame? The man may
have other information Of value"
I looked at the soldier, and his eyes
were grave and honest
"Yes," I answered, ut can do no
harm." d.
D'Artigny's hand was still on my
shoulder, but his glance did not seek