Macon beacon., 1916-12-29

Au6O SAGNCJO pAolOls anu hhOW INV
to use 1t. Draw away from the door,
monsieur, and I will thrust out the
bag"
l lowered the bar, opening the door
barely wide enough to permit the bags
passage. The light from the fire
cleaned on the barrel of the pistol held
in my hand. II was the work of an
instant, and saw nothing of Cassion,
but, as the door closed, he laughed
scornfully.
"'Tis your game tonight. madame"
he said spitefully, "but tomorrow I
play my hand. l thank you for the
bag, as it contains my commission.
By virtue Of it shall assume COM
mand of this Fort ST. Louis, and l
know how to deal with murderers. l
congratulate you on your lover, ma
dame-good night"
must have slept from sheer e1haus-
ton, although made no attempt to
lie down. 1t was broad daylight when
I awoke, aroused by pounding on the
door. To my inquiry voice an
nounced food, and l lowered the bar,
permitting an orderly to enter bearing
tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking. he turned to leave
the room, but I suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not Of our party" said
gravely. "Are you a soldier Of NJ. de
BaugisY
mo, madame" and he turned fac
ing ME, his countenance a pleasant
one. II am not soldier at all, but l
serve M. de Tonty."
"Ah, I am glad of that You will
bear to your master message?"
perhaps, madame" his tone some
what doubtful. "You are the wife of
Monsieur Cassion?"
''Do not hesitate because Of that"
fastened to say, believing understood
his meaning. "While 1t is true l am
legally the wife of Francois Cassion.
my sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artlgny. I would
have you ask NJ. de Tonty to confer
with me-" s.T
eyes, madame"
"You have served with D'Artigny?
You know him well?'
"Three years, madame; twice he
saved my life on the great river. NJ.
de Tonty shall receive your message"
I could not eat, although I made the
endeavor, and finally crossed to the
window, opened the heavy wooden
shutters, and gazed without What a
marvellous scene that was! Never be-
fore had my eyes looked upon so fair
view, and I stood silent and fasci-
mated. My window opened to the
westward, and gazed down from the
very edge of the vast rock into the
wide valley. Great treetops were be-
low, and had to lean far out to see
the silvery waters tapping the base
Of the precipice, but, little beyond,
the full width Of the noble stream
became visible, decked with islands,
and winding here and there between
green-clad banks, until 1t disappeared
in the far distance.
I had neglected to bar the door, and
rs I stood there gazing in breathless
fascination, sudden step on the floor
caused me to turn in alarm. My eyes
encountered those Of De Tonty, who
stood hat in hand.
"'Tis fair view, madame" he said
politely. "In all my travels l have
seen no nobler domain"
"It hath a peaceful look" I an
swered, still struggling with the mem.
ory. "Can it be true the savages hold
the valley?"
"All too true-see, yonder, where the
smoke still shows, dwelt the Kaskas-
kias. Not lodge is left. and the bod
les Of their dead strew the ground.
Along those meadows three weeks
since there were the happy villages OF
twelve tribes of peaceful Indians; to-
day those who yet live are fleeing for
their lives"
"And this fort. monsieur?"
"Safe enough, l think, although no
one Of us can venture ten yards be-
yond the gate. The Rock protects us,
madame, yet we are greatly outnum-
bered, and with no ammunition to
waste. Twas the surprise of the raid
which left US thus helpless. Could we
have been given time to gather our
friendly Indians together, the story
would be different"
'They are not towards, then"
"Not with proper leadership. We
have seen them fight often since we
invaded this land. 'Tis my thought
many Of them are hiding now beyond
those hills, and may find some way to
reach US. suspected such an effort
last night, when l sent out the rescue
party which brought you in. All, that
reminds me, madame; you sent for
meW
"Yes, NJ. de Tonty. l can speak to
you frankly? You are the friend of
Sieur dArtigny"
Faith, l hope am, madame, but
I know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing"
81 suspected as much, monsieur. 1t
was for that reason have sent fo-
you. He has not even told you the
story of our journey?'