Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-10-27

puAiCd dSiue ny luSduo SITo0SIl, reel
Ing back so that the weight of his body
struck me to my knees. The next in
slant, his sword point dripping blood,
the runner was beyond reach, speeding
for the open gate What followed +
know from word of others, and no
view I had of it.
D'Artigny had fallen, huddled in q
heap on the grass, and I dragged N.Y.
| self to him on my knees. heard oaths,
q shuff1ing of feet, rush Of bodies, a
voice did not recognize shouting
some order-then the sharp crack of a
rifle, and silence I cared not what
had occurred; had D'Artigny's head
in my arms, and his eyes opened and
smiled up at me full of courage.
"You are badly hurt?"
"No, I think not; the thrust was too
high. Lift me, and I breathe better
The man must have been mad''
Surely yes, monsieur; think. you he
had hope of escape?"
"'Tis likely he thought only Of re.
venge. All, you are here also, De
Tonty."
Eyes, lad; there is small use for me
yonder. You are not seriously struck ?"
II bleed freely, but the thrust was in
the shoulder. l could stand, I think.
with your aid"
On his feet he leaned heavily on us
both, yet would not be led away, until
La Forest joined us. He held in his
hand some papers, yet neither of us
questioned him.
Monsieur de Tonty,' he said, IT
would have private word with YOU"
when I help D'Artigny to his bed,
and have look at his wound. Yet is it
not matter of interest to these as
well?''
81 take it So"
"Then speak your message-M. Cas-
sion is dead?'
''The sentry's bullet found his heart,
monsieur
IT saw him fall Those papers were
upon him-are they Of value?''
'That I know not; they possess no
meaning to me, but they were adj
dressed to the man killed at st. Ig-
| nace.'
"Hugo Chevet" I exclaimed. "My
uncle; may not see them, monsieur?"
lie Tonty placed them in my hands
letter from a lawyer in Quebec, with
form of petition to the king, and
report of his search Of the archives Of
New France. The other document was
the sworn affidavit of Jules Beaubaou,
clerk Of records, that he had seen
and read paper purporting to be a
restoration from the king to the heirs
of Captain la Chesnayne. 1t was
signed and sealed. I looked up at the
faces surrounding me: startled and
frightened at this witness from the
dead.
"They are papers belonging to Che.
vet?" asked De Tonty.
eyes, monsieur-see. He must have
known, suspected the truth before our
departure, yet had no thought such
villainy was the work of NJ Cassion.
He sought evidence"
"That is the whole story, no doubt.
La Barre learned of his search, for he
would have spies in plenty, and wrote
his letter Of warning to Cassion. The
latter, fearing the worst, and desperate,
did not even hesitate at murder to
gain possession of these documents.
Fate served him well, and gave him
D'Artigny as victim. | wonder only
hot ha hd
papers"
''There is always some weakness in
crime commented La Forest, "and
the man has paid penalty for his. 1t
would be my guess he desired to place
them in La Barre's hands in proof of
his loyalty. But, messieurs, D'Artigny
needs to have his wound dressed. We
can discuss all this later"
1t was two days later, and the bright
f1ecking the sides of the great rock with
gold, and bridging the broad valley
below. D'Artigny, yet too weak to
rise unaided, sat in a chair Barbeau
had made beside the open window,
and to his call joined him, my arm
on his shoulder as I also gazed down
upon the scene below. 1t was one of
peace now, the silvery Illinois wind
ing hither and yon among it's green
islands, the shadowy woods darken-
ing one bank, and the vast meadows
stretching northward from the other.
Below the bend an Indian village, al
ready rebuilt and occupied, slept in
the sun, and l could see children and
dogs playing before the tepees.
Down the sharp trail from the fort
line of Indian packers were toiling
slowly, their backs supporting heavy
burdens, which they bore to two ca
noes resting against the bank About
these were grouped a little party of
white men, and when at last the sup
plies were all aboard, several took
their places at the paddles, and pushed
off into the stream.
There was waving of hands, and
one among them-even at that distance
could tell La Forest-looked up at
O11r window and raicn1 hic, hot IN,