The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-09-30

ing nj mo eyiiiy. then Erasped my
arm and dragged me thru the door.
IL Was a wonderful morning. The
air. Ike wine. giving promise OF a
golden day. day too beautiful by
far on which 10 die. II attn lacked
some minutes OF sunrise hn, m |
walked with the man who was my
husband across tho parade ground
toward tho outer gates OF the fort.
where the execution was TO take
place. ! saw a great company OF
soldiers. guides and friendly
Indians. gathered there. A VI.
came nearer I saw Do Artlgny and
De Tonty taking together. Both
faces we're grave. but without other
emotion. and a. we came within
hearing distance OF their low.
pitched voices R.ne's hand shot out
to grasp that Of his friend.
And as they stood for q iong
moment with hands elaspcd heard
DE Ton,y say;
To guard the woman you love
Is my greatest honor. While life
lasts my sword 10 hers. An. Ma.
damo. good morning" he turned to
me at the lifting o, Rene's eye
brows. for he had seen us first
Until that moment my limbs had
been shaking so that they would
scarcely bear my weight Cassion
had all bu, dragged me 20 the
scene But aA caught tho deep
L. -.
turned them to the for tho las,
time. for some strange reason my
strength flowed back TO mo In a
tide.
lifted one hand. quietly un-
clakpod my husbands fingers from
my arm. and walked alone. quite
steadily. up 10 the two men. A
wonderful Joy filled my soul as I
laid one hand upon De Artigny's
breast.
You are about 10 depart upon n
long journey. Monsieur" | said so
low that only he and the Italian
could hear me. and your eyes give
me a message that I would hear
your lips utter. for fain would
answer"
At my words DE Tonty turned
away. while DE Artiguy's face went
even whittier than before.
Adele he Easped. "you--"
And then the crude frontier fort.
the world and swiftly rising sun
were blotted out as he clasped mo
TO his heart. and I knew that death
rsxssfI -. ls.ssa
be waiting me on the other side.
How long we stood thus I cannot
imagine, and AT last when lifted
my eyes from his hidden breast a
glory OF sunlight blinded them
Wha, meant this-whcn he was to
have been shot with tho glance OF
the first ray ovar tho stockade
wall? Why had not Cassion torn
us apart?
And then I noted that We we're
standing alone. All the company
of men had proceeded quite TO the
gate. where they seemed TO be greet.
ing party OF strangers but just
arrived.
Look" I whispered. and felt
one more kiss upon my hair before
Rene obeyed my pointing finger.
Even as he raised his head the
crowd broke and passage was made
for Cassion, DE Baugis, DE Tonty
and stranger.
Ia Forest" he exclaimed. and
with one arm sim about me has
ened forward to meet him.
la Forest, You were In France
three months ago"
AYE: | was there when Sicur de
Ia Sale landed. lie told me the
whole tale. was with him when
he had audience with Louis. | am
here now bearing the orders OF the
king. countersigned by La Barre at
Quebec. restoring De Tonty TO com.
mand at Fort St. Louis. and bid.
ding he Baugls and that fool Cas-.
sion to return 20 New France"
De Artigny crushed tho mans
hand In both his own. His voice
trembled as he made answer.
"He won the kings favor? lie
convinced Louis?'
mo doubt OF that-never saw !
a greater miracle"
And the Sicur dc In Salle--has
he returned?"
May; he remains In France, &c
fit out an expedition TO sail for
the mouth of the Great River. lie
hath special commission from the
king. To me was given the honor
of bearing the message