The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-08-04
CHAPTER TX.
We Attain the Ottawa.

| 1t was not yet dawn Wnen the SUI
in the camp aroused me, and the sun
had not risen above the bluffs, or be-
| gun to tinge the river, when our laden
canoes left the bank and commenced
tigny was off in advance. departing in
deed before l had left the tent. the
chief seated beside him. 1 caught but
| glimpse Of them as the canoe round
ed the bend in the bank. and slipped
| silently away through the lingering
shadows, yet it gladdened me to know
his eyes were turned toward my tent
| until they vanished.
A new distribution had been ar
ranged, Chevet accompanying the ser
geant, leaving the commissaire and
| me alone, except for the pere, who had
| position in the bow. l observed this
| new arrangement from underneath
lowered lashes, but without comment,
| quietly taking the place assigned me,
and shading my face from the first
| rays of the sun.
At noon we landed in a sheltered
| cove, brilliant with wild flowers, and
partook Of food, the rearward canoes
| joining us, but D'Artigny was still
| ahead, perhaps under orders to keep
away. To escape Cassion clambered
up the front of the cliff, and had view
from the summit, marking the sweep
| of the river for many a league, a
scene of wild beauty never to be for
gotten. / fingered there at the edge
| until the voice of the commissaire re-
called me to my place in the canoe.
1t is of no consequence now what
we conversed about during that long
afternoon, as we pushed steadily ON
against the current. Cassion en-
| deavored to be entertaining and
made every effort to encourage him,
although my secret thoughts were not
pleasant ones. He had set out to over
come my scruples, to conquer my will,
and was merely biding his time. seek
ing to learn the best point of attack.
1t was with this end in view that he
| kept me to himself, banishing Chevet,
and compelling D'Artigny to remain
| well in advance. He was testing me
| now by his tales Of Quebec, his boast
| ing of friendship with the governor,
his stories of army adventure, and
the wealth he expected to amass
through his official connections. Yet
| the very tone he assumed, the conceit
| shown in his narratives. only served
to add to my dislike. This creature
| was my husband, yet l shrank from
| him, and once, when he dared to touch
my hand, I drew it away as though
that hot anger leaped into his eyes,
and his true nature found expression
before he could restrain the words:
mon dieu! What do you mean. you
chit?'
"Only that l am not won by few
sSft words. monsieur" 1 answered
coldly.
But you are my wife; twill be
well for you to remember that"
Nor am l likely to forget, yet be-
| cause a priest has mumbled words
over US does not make me love you"
"Sacre"' he burst forth, yet careful
to keep his voice pitched to my ears
alone, you think me plaything. but
| you shall learn yet that l have claws.
Bah! do you imagine l fear the cox
| comb ahead"
| ''To whom do you refer, monsieurT'
| "Such innocence! to that bootlicker
Of La Salle's to whom you give your
smiles and pretty words"
| irene d'Artigny!" exclaimed pleas
antly, and then laughed. "Why how
ridiculous you are, monsieur. Better
| be jealous Of Pere Allouez yonder. for