The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1916-06-30
CHAPTER I.
At the Home of Hugo Chevet.

purple, ana lne forest leaves were
tnged with red. And yet the air was
soft, and the golden bars of sun flick
cred down on the work in my lap
through the laced branches of the
trellis. The work was but pretense,
FOR I had fled the house to escape the
voice of Monsieur CaSsion who was
still urging my uncle to accompany
Sim on his journey into the wilder
aeSs. They sat in the great room be-
fore the fireplace, drinking, and had
heard enough already to tell me there
vas treachery on foot against the Sieur
de In Sale. To be sure 1t was moth
hg to me. a girl knowing naught of
such intrigue, yet had not forgotten
nhe day, three years before, when this
LA Sale. with others of his company,
had halted before the Ursuline con-
rent, and the sisters bade them well
some for the night. Twas my part
10 help serve. and he had stroked my
hair In tenderness. had sung to
them, and watched his face in the fire.
light as he listened. Never would l
torget that face, nor believe evil of
such a man. No! not from the lips of
Gassion nor even from the governor,
In Barre.
recalled 1t all now, as sat there
IN the silence, pretending to work. how
We watched them embark in their ca
noes and disappear. the Indian pad
aiers bending to their task. and Mon
sieur In Sale, standing. bareheaded
rs he waved farewell. Beyond him
was the dark face OF one they called
De Tonty, and in the first boat a mere
Boy lifted his ragged hat, I know not
why, but the memory of that lad was
clearer than all those others. for he
had met me in the hall and we had
talked long in the great window ere
the sister came, and took me away. So
remembered him. and his name,
Rene d'Artigny. And in all those
years / heard no more. Into the black
wilderness they swept and were lost
% those OF us at home in New France.
no doubt there were those who
fnew--Frontenac Bigot. those who
ruled over us at Quebcc-but twas
not matter supposed to interest n
girl, and so no word came to me. Once
asked my Uncle Chevet, and he re-
sences, bidding me hold my tongue;
J"t he said enough so that knew the
Sieur de In Sale lived and had built
fort far away, and was buying furs
OF the Indians. 1t was this that
brought jealousy and hatred. Once
Housieur Cassion came and stopped
with us. and as I waited on him and
Dnc'e Chevet. I caught words which
told me that Frontenac was La Salle's
riend. and would listen to no charges
brought against him. They talked Of
new governor; yet I learned but lit
fie. for Cassion attempted to kiss me,
and / would wait on him no more.
Then Frontenac was recalled to
FranCe. and La Barre was governor.
How pleased my Uncle Chevet was
when the news came, and he raped
he tIbie with his glass and exclaimed:
~Ah! but now we will pluck out the
claws Of this Sieur de In Sale, and
send him where he belongs" But he
would explain nothing, until week
later. Casson came up the river in
his canoe with Indian paddlers. and
dOpped to hold conference. The man
V,
that / questioned him, and he seemed
happy to answer that La Barre had al
ready dispatched a party under Che
ralier de Baugs, Of the Kings Ora
goons to take command OF La Sales
Fort St Louis in the Illinois country.
La Sale had returned. and was al
ready at Quebec, but CaissOn grlnned
Ms he boasted that the new governor
would not even give him audience.
Bah! | despised the man, yet I lin
Eered beside him. and thus learned
mat La Sales party consisted of but
two vOyageurs, and the young Sieur
fArtigny. | was glad enough when
he went away, though I gave him my
hand 10 kiss and waved to him brave
~ at the landing. And now he was
back again. bearing n message from
Ia Barre, and seeking volunteers for
Eoine western voyage OF profit Twas
of no interest to me unless my uncle
Joined In the enterprise. yet I was
Kind enough, for he brought with him
word OF the governors ball at Quebec.
and had won the pledge Of Chevet to
take me there with him / could be
gracious to him for that and It was
on my gown I worked, as the two
planned and talked in secret. What
they did was nothing to me now-all
my thought was on the ball. What
would you? ! was II.
The grape trellis ran down toward
The river landing, and from where I
sat in the cool shadow, could see the
broad water cleaning in the sun. Sud
denly, as my eyes uplifted. the dark