The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-10-19

woods. Ali he has reached the rock
safely-'tis the signal"
D'Artlgny drew up the cord, testing
It TO make sure the strands held firm.
and made careful moose, into which he
slipped my foot
Now, Adele, you are ready?
"Yes, sweetheart; kiss me first"
"You have no fearp
mot with your strong hands TO sup
port, but do not keep me waiting long
below"
Ay, but was frightened as | swung
OFF into the black void. cllnglng des
perately to that slight rope, steadily
sinking downward. My body rubbed
against the rough logs, and then
against rock. Once a jagged edge
wounded me, yet dare not release my
grip, or utter a sound. sank down.
down, the strain ever greater on my
nerves. retained no knowledge Of
distance, but grew apprehensive OF
what awaited me below. Would the
rope reach to the rock? Would swing
clear? Even as these thoughts began
TO horrlfy, felt a hand grip me, and
Bolsrondets whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
1T IS all right, madame; release your
foot. and trust me- Good, now do not
venture to move, until Rene joins us.
Faith. he wastes little time; he is com
ing now"
could see nothing, not even the
outlines OF my companion, who stood
holding the cord taut. could feel the
Jagged face OF the rock, against which
| stood. and ventured, by reaching out
with one foot. to explore my immedl-
ate surroundings. The cropping toe
touched the edge of the narrow shelf,
and | drew back startled at thought Of
another sheer drop into the black
depths.
MY heart was still pounding when
D'Artigny found foothold beside me.
As he swung free from the cord, his
fingers touched my dress.
"a fine test OF courage that, Adele"
he whispered "but with Francois here
below there was small peril. Now
what nextT"
"A tlcklish passage for few yards.
Stand close until | get by; now cling
to the wall, and follow me. Once Oft
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame. take hold Of my jacket. Rene,
you have walked this path before
"Ay. years since, but recall its
peril"
We crept forward, so cautiously It
seemed we scarcely moved, the rock
shelf we traversed so narrow In places
that I could scarce find space in which
to plant my feet firmly. Suddenly we
clambered on to a fat rock, crossed II.
and came to the edge Of a wood, with
a murmur Of water not far away. Here
Bolsrondet paused, and we came close
about him. There seemed to be more
light here, although the tree shadows
were grim, and the night rested about
us in impressive silence.
Here is where the river trail comes
down" and Boisrondet made motion
10 the left "You should remember
that we'll Rene"
"I was first to pass over It; 1t leads
to the water edge"
"Yes; not so easily followed In the
night, yet you are woOdsman enough
to make II. So far as we know from
above the Iroquois, have not dlscov-
cred there is a passage here. Listen.
Rene: leave you now, for those were
De Tonty's orders. He said that from
now on you would be safe alone. OF
course he knew nothing Of madame's
purpose"
Monsieur shall not find me bur
den," | interrupted.
Il am sure OF that" he said gallant
ly. "and so think It best to return while
the night conceals my movements.
There will be hot words when NJ. Cas-
sion discovers your escape, and my
chief may need my sword beside him,
If It comes to blows. Is my decision
to return right, ReneY"
"Ay, right; would that ! might be
with you. But what plan did NJ. de
Tonty outline for me to followT
"'Twas what | started to tell Al
the edge OF the water, but concealed
from the river by rocks, is small hut
where we keep hidden a canoe ready
fitted for any secret service. Twas
Sieur de la Salle's thought that II
might prove OF great use In time OF
siege. No doubt II Is there now, just
as we left It, undiscovered Of the Iro-
quois. This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along shore"
There is n iAef
Two Of them, with powder and
ball" He laid his hand on the others
shoulder. There Is nothing more Ia
say, and time ls OF value. Farewell, my
friend"
Farewell" their fingers clasped
"There will be other days, Francois
my gratitude to NJ. de Tonty." Bols
rondet stepped back, and, hat in hand
bowed to me.
"Adieu, madame; pleasant jour
ney."
"A moment, monsieur" said, fal
A.. sIf A
tlgny's friend, an officer Of France, and
a Catholic"
eyes. madame"
"And you think that am right In
my choice-that I am doing naught IN
worthy Of my womanhoodT
Even in the darkness ! saw hin
make the symbol Of the cross, before
he bent forward and kissed my hand