The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-27

Cassion raised a hue and cry
over the deed. To my mind he
made too much fuss to appear
genuine, and from the first | was
sure It had been committed at his
behest.
or what actually occurred,
however, I can remember little.
l was stunned by the horror of
It all, but most by the fact that l
was now indeed alone.
Cassion delayed only long
enough to have my uncle hurried
ly buried before we re-embarked
and fastened on.
But at last | was reused from
my stupor-roused by the brute
they had forced me to marry to
play my wits against his for De
Artigny's life. Cassion accused
him of the murder of Chevet!
When Cassion told me this
with a poor semblance OF regret
in his voice, l challenged him
with:
What is your meaning, Mon
sieur?"
THAT I am tired of your max
ing eyes at this forest dandy be-
hind my back" he threw aside
his pretense of courtesy of the
past weeks. Sang Dieu. | am
done with all this-do you hear?
and l have. grip now which
will make you think twice, my
dear, before you work any more
sly tricks on me. l have in my
hand So" and he opened and
closed his fingers suggestively,
1.-The life of the lad"
There was a look in his face
which made me shudder, and
turn away. His was no idle threat.
| realized the necessity for
compromise. l was aroused by
the grin of Cassion's hand.
"Well, my beauty" he Said
harshly, haven't | waited long
enough to learn if it is war or
peace between u.s."
| laughed, yet | doubt IL he
gained any comfort from the ex-
preston of the eyes which met
his.
why, l choose peace, OF
course, Monsieur" / answered, as
Stunning a carelessness | was FAR
from feeling. Am / not your
wife? Surely you remind me OF
it often enough. / have been
friendly with Sieur de Artigny, 1t
is true. but there is nothing more
between us. So there is no cause
for you to spare him on my &C
count, or rest his fate on any &C
ton of NINE" -
You will have naught to do
with the fellow"
There would be small chance
il | wished, Monsieur; and do you
suppose [ would seek companion
ship with one who had killed my
uncle?"
"'Twould scarce seem so, yet
l know not what you believe
Nor do l myself. confess l
should like to hear his defense,
but | make you this pledge in all
henor-I will have no word with
him, on condition that you file no
charges until we arrive at Fort
st. Louis.
"Ah!" suspiciously, you think
he has friends there to hold him
innocent"
why should |, Monsieur? He
was of La Sales party. and they
are no longer in control. La Bar
re said that De Baugis command
ed that post, and for all l know
De Tonty and all his men may
have departed.
1t was not altogether gracious
ly that he agreed, yet the man
could not refuse, and l was glad
enough to escape thus easily.
All went we'll as far as my
keeping of my pledge was con-
cerned until storm overlook us
lust before we we're to leave the
lake, at Chicago portage, and en-
bark upon the great river that
would mark the last lap of our
+, journey.
That morning, Cassion, De Ar
tigny and I all happened to be in
different canoes.
We may have proceeded for
half a league, when a fog swept
in toward the land, enveloping us
in its folds, and l became aware
that De Artigny's boat had turned
about, and he was endeavoring to
induce Cassion to go ashore and
make camp before the storm
broke. The latter, however, in
sisted upon proceeding on our
course.
De Artigny made no reply, but
l noticed he held back his pad
dlers, and permitted Cassion's
canoe to forge ahead. He must
have discovered that I was not