Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-08-18

the fire. The two men bent over it,
tracing the lines with finger tips, evil
IDENTITY determining their course for
the morrow. Then D'Artigny made
few notes on 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 sudden impulse I
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 APP
proach, glanced around, his frown
changing instantly into a SMILE
"Ah, quite an adventure this he
said, adopting tone of pleasantly.
1.-THE first time you have left your
tent madame?"
''The first time have felt desire to
do so,' I retorted II feel curiosity to
examine your map"
"And waited until I was alone; I
appreciate the compliment" and he
removed his hat in mock gallantry.
'There was time when you would
have come earlier
"Your sarcasm is quite uncalled for.
You have my pledge relative to the
=, Anti cin hi oh cr1f.
fees. If you do not care to give me
glimpse Of your map, l will retire
again.
"Pouf! do not be so easily pricked,
/ 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 I will show you our posi-
ton the best l cam
did not D'Artigny known
HE thinks he does, but his memory
is not over clear, as he was only over
this course the once. TITS here he
has put the mark, while my guess
would be a few leagues beyond"
l bent over, my eyes seeking tho
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 l pointed to it with my
fingers.
"Is it there we leave the lake, mon
sieur?"
cay; the rest will be river work.
You see this stream? IT'S called the
Des PLANES, and leads into the Illi-
nois. D'Artigny says it is two miles
inland, across a fiat country. Twas
Pere Marquette who passed this way
first, but since then many have trav-
ersed 1t. IT'S like to take us two days
| to make the portage
'And way up here is Port des Morris,
| where we crossed the opening into
| Green Bay, and we have come since
all this distance. Surely it's not far
along the shore now to the PORTAGE"
'Mon dieu, who knows! It looks
| but step on the map, yet it's not
likely the distance has ever been
measured
"What said the Sieur d'Artigny?"
bah! the Sieur d'Artigny: ever it
Is the Sieur d'Artigny. IT'S little he
knows about it, in my judgment. He
would have 1t thirty leagues yet, but
I make 1t we are ten leagues to the
south Of where he puts us. What, are
you going already? Faith, had hopes
you might tarry here a while yet, and
| hold converse with me-"
uncertain.
"You had some word you wished to
say, monsieur?"
There are words enough if you
would listen"
"'Tis no fault of yours if l do not.
But not now, monsieur. It is late and
cold We take the boats early and
would rest while I can"
He was on his feet, the map gripped
| in his hand, but made NO effort to
stop me, as 1 dropped him a curtsy,
| and retreated. But he was there still
WueI L SlduCou DdCk ITOu OUT LILO
safety of the tent, his forehead creased
| by a frown. When he finally turned
away the map was crushed shapeless
In his fingers.
The morning dawned somewhat
warmer, but with every promise of
storm, threatening clouds hanging
| above the water, sullen and menacing,
their edges tipped with lightning. The
roar of distant thunder came to our
ears, yet there was no wind, and Cas-
| sion decided that the clouds would
drift southwark, and leave us safe
passage along the shore. His canoe
had been wrenched in making landing
the evening before, and had taken in
considerable water during the night.
This was bailed out, but the interior
was so wet and uncomfortable that I
| begged to be given place in another
| boat, and Cassion consented, after I
had exhibited some temper, ordering
| a soldier in the sergeant's canoe to
exchange places with me.
We may have proceeded for half
| 10 e. To- n