Mexico Missouri message., 1916-06-29
CHAPTER VII.
The Two Men Meet.


must have lost consciousness of our
surroundings, for l was aroused by
Cassion's voice shouting some COM
mand, and became aware that we
were making landing on the river
bank. The sun was two hours high,
and the spot selected a low grass
covered point, shaded by trees. Che
vet had awakened, sObered by his nap,
and the advance canoe had already
been drawn up on the shore, the few
soldiers 1t contained busily engaged in
starting fires with which to cook our
morning meal.
l perceived D'Artigny with my first
glance, standing erect on the bank,
his back toward us, directing the men
in their work. AS we shot forward
toward the landing he turned indlf-
ferently, and l marked the sudden
Strengthening of his body, as though
in surprise, although the distance gave
me no clear vision of his face As our
canoe came into the shadows he
sprang down the bank to greet us, hat
in hand, his eyes on me. My own
glance fell before the eagerness in his
face, and / turned away.
"Ah! Monsieur Cassion," he ex-
claimed, the very sound of his voice
evidencing delight. You have guests
on the journey; it's unexpected"
Cassion stepped over the side and
fronted him, no longer a smiling gal
liant of the court but brutal in au-
thority.
and what is that to you, may l
ask, Sieur d'Artigny?' he said coldly
contemptuous. "You are but our guide,
and it is no concern of yours who
may compose the company. Twill be
well for you to remember your place,
and attend to your duties. Go, now,
and see that the men have breakfast
| served"
There was moment of silence, and
I did not even venture to glance up to
perceive what occurred, although l felt
that D'Artigny's eyes shifted their in
quiry from Cassion's face to mine.
| There must be no quarrel now, not
until he knew the truth, not until
had opportunity to explain, and yet
he was a firebrand, and it would be
| like him to resent such words. How
| relieved felt as his voice made final
| answer.
Pardon, Monsieur lie Commissaire,"
he said, pleasantly enough. at is
| true l forgot my place In this moment
of surprise 1 obey your orders"
I looked up as he turned away and
! disappeared. Cassion stared after him,
smothered an oath, and evidently dis
| appointed at so tame an ending of the
affair, for it was his nature to buster
and boast. Yet as his lips changed to
a grin, knew of what the man was
| thinking he had mistaken DART
gny's actions for cowardice, and felt
assured now of how he would deal
with him. He turned to the canoe,
a new conception of Importance in the
sharp tone of his voice.
"Come ashore, men; ay! draw the
boat higher On the sand. Now, Mon
sleur Chevet, assist your niece for
ward to where can help her to land
with dry feet-permit me, Adele"
at is not necessary, monsieur"
replied, avoiding his hand and leap
ing lightly to the firm sand. you have
forced me into marriage; the law holds
me as your wife. 1 know not how
may escape that fate, or avoid accom-
panying you. So far submit, but no
further. do not love you; do not
even feel friendship toward you. Let
me pass"
He grasped my arm, turning me
about until l faced him, his eyes glar-
ing into mine
mot until speak," he replied
threateningly. "Do not mistake my
temper, or imagine me blind. 1 know
what has so suddenly changed you
1t is that gay, simpering fool yonder.
But be careful how far you go. am
your husband, and in authority here"
released my arm, but did not move.
Ny only feeling toward him at that
moment was one of disgust, defiance.
The threat in his eyes, the cool inso-
lence of his speech, set my blood on
fire.
Monsieur" said coldly, although
every nerve Of my body throbbed,
"ycu may know girls, but you deal
now with a woman. Your speech, your
insinuatiOn is insult l disliked you
before; now despise you, yet will
say this in answer TO what you have
intimated Monsieur d'Artigny is moth
ing to me, save that lie hath shown
himself friend You wrong him, even
as you wrong me, in thinking other
wise, and whatever the cause of mis-
understanding between us, there is no
excuse for you to pick quarrel with
him"
III VIII the Jesuit, Uncle Che !
! vet and p'ArtIgny eOunterplot !!