Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-09-22

congratulate you on your lover, ma
dame-good night"
I must have slept from sheer exhaus-
ton, although | made no attempt to
lie down. 1t was broad daylight when
| awoke, aroused by pounding on the
door. To my inquiry voice an
nounced food, and I lowered the bar,
permitting an orderly to enter, bearing
a tray, which he deposited on the table.
Without speaking, he turned to leave
the room, but suddenly felt courage
to address him.
"You were not of our party" said
gravely. care you a soldier Of NJ. de
Baugis?'
mo, madame" and he turned fac
ing ME, his c0untenance pleasant
one. 81 am not a soldier at all, but ]
serve M. de Tonty."
"Ah, I am glad of that. You will
bear to your master a message?"
perhaps, madame" his tone some
what doubtful. "You are the wife Of
Monsieur Cassionw
''Do not hesitate because of that"
fastened to say, believing understood
his meaning "While it is true l am
legally the wife Of Francois Cassion,
ray sympathies now are altogether
with the Sieur d'Artigny. 1 would
have you ask NJ. de Tonty to confer
with me-"
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 Torty shall receive @our message"
I could not eat, although 1 made the
endeavor, land 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
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-cIad banks, until it disappeared
In the far distance.
had neglected to bar the door, and
as I stood there gazing in GREATNESS
fascination, a sudden step on the floor
caused ne 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 / have
seen no nobler domain"
"It hath a peaceful look" am
swered, still struggling with the men,.
DRY. "Can it be true the savages hold
tie valley?"
Gail 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-
vond 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?'
mot with proper leadership. We
have seen them fight often since we
invaded this land. IT'S my thought
many of them are hiding now beyond
those hills, and may find some way to
; reach US. I suspected such an effort
last night, when I>sent out the rescue
party which brought you in. All, that
reminds me, madame; you sent for
me?"
: Eyes, NJ de Tonty. l can speak to-
you frankly? You are the friend of
Sieur d'Artigny?"
Faith, hope I am, madame, but
know not what has got into the lad
he will tell me nothing"
81 suspected as much, monsieur. It
was for that reason have sent for
you. He has not even told you the
story Of our journey?"
"Ay, as brief as military report
not a fact I could not have guessed.
There is secret here, which 1 have
not discovered. Why is M. Cassion so
wild for the lads blood, and how came
there to be trouble between Rene and
the furtrader? Bah! / know the lad
is no murderer, but no one will tell
me the facts"
'Then l will, monsieur" l said
gravely. 1T was because of my be-
lief that Sieur d'Artigny would re-
fuse explanation that sent for you.
The truth need not be concealed; not
from you, at least, the commander Of
! Hort ST TeO1IiS-o