Mexico Missouri message., 1916-10-19

with care. You have the strengthT
"Ay, for twice her weight"
"Good; there will be naught to fear,
madame, for 1 will be below to aid
your footing. When I give the signal
again Rene will descend and join u.s."
"The rope is to be left dangling?" .
"Only until / return. Once leave
you safe beyond the Iroquois, it's my
part to climb this rope again. Some
task that" cheerfully, "yet De Tonty
deems it best that no evidence connect
us with this escape. What make you
the hour?"
Between one and two"
(which will give me time before
day dawn; so here, chance it."
He swung himself over the edge, and
slipped silently down into the black
mystery. We leaned over to watch,
but could see nothing, our only evil
dence of his progress the Jerking of the
cord. D'Artigny's hand closed on mine.
Dear" he whispered tenderly, I'VE
are alone now-you are sorryT
81 am happier than have ever been
IN my life" 1 answered honestly. 81
have done what believe to be right.
and trust God. All 1 care to know now
is that you love me-"
with every throb of my heart"
he said solemnly. at is my love which
makes me dread lest you regret"
"That will never be, monsieur; l
am of the frontier, and do not fear the
woods. All! he has reached the rock
safely-'tls the signal"
D'Artigny drew up the cord, testing
1t to make sure the strands held firm,
and made careful moose, into which he
slipped my foot.
"Now, Adele, you are ready?"
eyes, sweetheart; kiss me first"
you have no fearT
"Not with your strong hands to sup
port, but do not keep me waiting long
below"
Az, but / was frightened as l swung
off into the black void, clinging 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. l sank down,
down, the strain ever greater on my
nerves. 1 retained no knowledge of
distance, but grew apprehensive of
what awaited me below. Would the
rope reach to the rock? Would 1 swing
clear? Even as these thoughts began
to horrify, 1 felt hand grip me, and
Boisrondet's whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
at 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"
l 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 immedi-
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 next?"
"a tickIish passage for few yards.
Stand close until get by; now cling
to the wall, and follow me. Once off
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame, take hold of my jacket. Rene,
you have walked this path before"
SAY, years since, but I recall its
peril"
We crept forward, so cautiously II
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 fiat rock, crossed it,
and came to the edge of a wood, with
murmur of water not far away. Here
Boisrondet paused, and we came close
about him. There seemed to be more
light mere, although Ine lIee snauoWs
were grim, and the night rested about
us in impressive silence.
'Here is where the river trail comes
down." and Boisrondet made motion
to the left. "You should remember
that well, Rene"
81 was first to pass over it; it leads
to the water edge"
eyes; not so easily followed in the
night, yet you are woodsman enough
to make it. So far as we know from
above the Iroquois, have not discov
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'I
purpose"
} "Monsieur shall not find me a bur
den," interrupted.
II am sure of that" he said gallant
. ly, sand so think it best to return Will,
the night conceaIs my movements