Middletown transcript., 1916-09-02
CHAPTER XIII.
The Break Of Storm.

We had no more pleasant weather
for days, the skies being overcast and
the wind damp and chill. 1t did not
rain, nor were the waves dangerous,
although choppy enough to make pad
ding tiresome and difficult.
A mist obscured the view and COM
pelled US to cling close to the shore
so as to prevent becoming lost in the
smother, and as we dare not venture
to strike out boldly from point to
point, we lost much time in creep
ing along the curves.
The canoes kept closer together
never venturing to become separated.
and the men stationed on watch in
the bows continually called to each
other across the tossing waters in
guidance. Even D'Artigny kept with
in sight, and made camp with us at
night, although he made no effort to
seek me, nor did once detect that he
even glanced in my direction. The
| studied Indifference Of the man puz-
zled me more than it angered. but
| believed it was his consciousness OF
| guilt, rather than any dislike which
caused his avoidance. In a way
reioiced at his following this course,
as l felt bound by my pledge to Cas-
| sion, and had no desire to further
arouse the jealousy of the latter, yet
1 remained a woman, and consequent
ly felt a measure of regret at being
thus neglected and ignored.
had no knowledge of the date, nor
very clear conception of where we
were The night before we had camped
at the mouth of a small stream. the
surrounding forest growing down close
to the shore, and so thick as to be
almost impenetrable. The men had
set up my tent so close to the water
the waves broke scarcely a foot away,
and the fire about which the others
clustered for warmth was but a few
yards distant
Wrapped in my blankets | saw
D'Artigny emerge from the darkness
and approach Cassion, who drew a
map from his belt pocket and spread
it open on the ground in the glare Of
the fire The two men bent over it,
tracing the lines with finger tips, evil
dently determining their course for
the morrow. Then D'Artigny made a
few notes on a scrap of paper. arose
to his feet and disappeared.
They had scarcely exchanged a
word, and the feeling of enmity be
tween them was apparent. Cassion
sat quiet, the map still open, and
stared after the younger man until he
vanished in the darkness. The look
upon his face was not a pleasant one.
Impelled by a sudden impulse |
arose to my feet. the blanket still
draped about my shoulders. and
crossed the open space to the fire.
Cassion, hearing the sound of my ap-
proach. glanced around, his frOwn
changing instantly into smile.
"Ah, quite an adventure this" he
said. adopting a tone of pleasantly.
''The first time you have left your
tent, madame?"
1.-The first time l have felt desire to
do So" retorted Il feel curiosity to
examine your map"
"And waited Until l was alone;
appreciate the compliment" and he
: removed his hat in mock gallantry.
, There was n time when you would
have come earlier"
Your sarcasm is quite uncalled for.
J You have my pledge relative to the
Sieur d'Artigny. monsieur, which suf-
fees. If you do not care to give me
glimpse of your map. l will retire
. again"
'Pouf! do not be so easily pricked,
l spoke in jest. Ay. look at the pa
! per, but the tracing is so poor it's no
} better than a guess where we are Sit
, you down, madame, so the fire gives
: light, and l will show you our posi-
J ton the best | can
Did not D'Artigny know?"
! ''He thinks he does, but his memory
: is not over clear, as he was only over
: this course the once. 'Tis here he
has put the mark, while my guess
would be a few leagues beyond"
; l bent over, my eyes seeking the
: points indicated. had seen the map
before, yet it told me little, for
: was unaccustomed TO such study, and
: the few points. and streams named
had no real meaning to my mind. The
only familiar term was Chicago POr
: tage, and pointed to it with my
2 fingers.
t "Is it there we leave the lake. mon
t sleurT'
D LAY; the rest will be river work
j You see this stream7 'Tis called the
Des Plaines and leads into the iii
? nois. D'Artigny says it is two miles
4 inland, across a fat country. Twas
] Pere Marquette who passed this way
t first, but since then many have trav
a ersed it. 'Tis like to take us two days
e to make the portage"
: "And way up here is Port des. Morts
e where we crossed the opening int
t Green Bay, and we have come since
r all this distance. Surely It's not fal
+. along the shore now to the portage?'
t "Aon dieu, who knows! 1t looks
but a step on the map, yet 'tis not
: likely the distance has ever beer
t measured"
t "What said the Sieur d'ArtignyY
e bah! the Sieur d'Artigny; ever Il