Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1916-10-13
A Romance of
Early Days In
the Middle West

II have never denied 1t; the fact
which rankles, however, is his knowl-
edge that feel no interest whatever
| in him. But we waste time, monsieur,
in fruitless discussion. Our only course
is discovery of Hugo Chevets real
murderer. Know you anything to war
rant Suspicion
D'Artigny did not answer. at once.
his eyes looking out ON the white
crested waters of the lake.
"No, madame" he said at length
| gravely. 1.-THE last time Chevet was
seen alive, so far as l now know, was
| when he left the boats in company
with Monsieur Cassion to return to the
Mission house. Could there be any
reason why Cassion should desire the
death of Chevet?"
81 know of none. My uncle felt
bitter over the concealment of my for
| tune, and no doubt the two had ex-
| changed words, but there was no open
quarrel. Chevet was rough, and head
strong, yet he was not killed in fight,
for the knife thrust was from behind"
GAY, towards blow Chevet
| possessed no papers of value?"
| 1 shook my head
IF so, no mention was ever made
to me. But, monsieur, you are still
! wet, and must be cold in this wind.
Why do you not build the fire, and
dry your clothing?"
"The wind does have an icy feel
he admitted, "but this is a poor spot.
Up yonder in the wood shadow there
is more warmth, and besides 1t af-
fords better outlook for the canoes.
Have you strength now to climb the
bluff?"
"The path did not appear difficult,
and 1t is dreary enough here. l will
try"
l did not even require his aid, and
was at the top nearly as soon as he.
1t was pleasant spot, a heavy forest
growing almost to the edge, but with
green carpet of grass on which one
could rest, and gaze off across the
wide waste of waters. When l fin
ally turned away found that D'Arti-
gny had already lighted fire with
flint and steel in a little hollow within
the forest. He called to me to join
him.
There is nothing to see," he said,
'sand the warmth is welcome. You
had no glimpse of the boats?'
"No," admitted. do you really
believe they survived?"
There was no reason why they
should not, II properly handled I
have controlled canoes in far worse
storms. They are doubtless safely
ashore beyond the point yonder. You
are not afraid to be left alone?"
mo" in surprise. "Where are you
going"
ITO learn more of our surroundings
and arrange some traps for wild game
will not be away long, but someone
should remain here to signal any
canoe returning in search"
watched him disappear among
the trees without regret or slightest
sense Of fear at thus being left alone.
The fire burned brightly and rested
where the grateful warmth put new
life into my body. The silence was
profound, depressing, and sense of
intense loneliness stole over me.
felt desire to get away from the
gloom Of the woods, and climbed the
bank to where l could look out once
more across the waters.
The view outspread before me re-
vealed nothing new; the same dread
waste Of water extended to the hori-
zon, while down the shore no move.
ment was visible. AS I rested there,
oppressed by the loneliness, felt little
hope that the others of our party had
escaped without disaster
D'Artigny did not believe his own
words; even suspected that he had
gone now alone to explore the shore
line; seeking to discover the truth and
the real fate of our companions. At
first this conception of our situation
startled me, and yet. strange as it may
seem, my realization brought no deep
regret. was conscious of feeling
of freedom, of liberty, such as had not
been mine since we departed from
Quebec. I was no longer watched,
spied upon, my every movement Or
dered, my speech criticized. More, l
was delivered from the hated presence
of Cassion, ever reminding me that /
was his wife, and continually threaten
ing to exercise his authority. Ay, and
was with D'Artigny, alone with him,
and the joy OF this was SO deep that
came to sudden realization OF the
TRUTH loved him.
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