Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-08-04

followed here? By whom? Cassion?"
"By himself or some emissary. Pere
Allouez has been my jailer, but
chances to be disabled at present. The
commissaire permitted me to climb
here alone, believing you to be safely
camped above the rapids, yet his sus-
picions may easily revive"
Ellis suspicionsv' the sieur laughed
softly $50 that then is the trouble?
It is to keep us apart that he bids me
make separate camp each night; and
assigns me to every post Of peril.
feel the honor, mademoiselle, yet why
am especially singled out for so
great Distinction"
''He suspects us of being friends.
He knew conferred with you at the
convent, and even believes that you
were with me hidden behind the cur.
tain in the governors Office"
"Yet If all that be true" he ques-
toned, his voice evidencing his sur
prise. "Why should our friendship
arouse his antagonism to such an ex-
tent? cannot understand what crime
l have committed, mademoiselle. It
Is all mystery, even why you should
be here with us on this long journey?
Surely you had no such thought when
we parted last?"
"You do not know what has &C.
curred?" l asked, in establishment. mo
one has told your"
"Told me! How? I have scarcely
held speech with anyone but the Al
gonquin chief since we took to the
water. Cassion has but given orders,
and Chevet is mum as an oyster. I
endeavored to find you in Montreal.
but you were safely locked behind
gray walls. That something was wrong
| felt convinced, yet what it might be
40 one would tell me. I tried ques
doning the pere, but he only shook
his head and left me Unanswered.
Tell me then, mademoiselle, by what
right does this Cassion hold you as q
captive?'
My lips trembled, and my eyes fell,
yet l must answer.
HE is my husband, monsieur"
caught glimpse of his face, pic1
turing surprise 1ncredulity. He drew
sharp breath and noted his hand
close tightly on the hilt of his knife.
Il "Your husband! that cur! Surely
you do not jest?',
+ would that Isdid," I exclaimed,
losing all control in sudden wave Of
anger. "No, monsieur, it is true"
And I told him swiftly the story Of
my enforced marriage.
.'"And Hugo Chevet, your uncle? Did
he remain silent? make no protestT
he asked.
gave q gesture of despair.
HE! Never did, he even conceive
what occurred, until I told him later
on the river. Even now 1 doubt Il
his sluggish brain has grasped the.
truth. To him the alliance was an.
honor, an opening to possible wealth,
in the fur trade through Cassion's In
fluence with La Barre. He could per
ceive nothing else except his good luck
in thus Kidding himself Of the care
Of poor niece who had been a sorry
burden
But you explained to himw
II tried to, but only to regret the
effort. Giant as he is physically, his
intellect is that Of big boy. All he
can conceive Of is revenge desire to
crush with his hands. He hates Cas-
sion, because the man has robbed him
Of the use of my fathers money; but
for my position he cares nothing. To
his mind the wrong has all been done
to him, and I fear he will brood over
It until he seeks revenge. If he does
he will ruin everything"
D'Artigny stood silent, evidently in
thought, endeavoring to grasp the
threads Of my tale.
"HOw did you attain the summit Of
this bluffY he questioned at last.
"Yonder; there is deer trail lead
Ing down."
And you fear Cassion may follow?s
"He will likely become suspicious
II am long absent, and either seek
uluuSc1I OI ScLu Ollc VI LIS LAcu.
This is the first moment of freedom /
have experienced since we left Que
bee. hardly know how to behave
myself"
"And we must guard 1t from being
the last" he exclaimed, note Of de-
termination and leadership in his voice.
'"There are questions I must ask, SO
that we may work together in har-
mony, but Cassion can never be al
lowed to suspect that we have COM
munication. Let us 60 forward to
the end Of the trail where you came
up; from there we can keep watch
below"
He still grasped my hand, and had
no thought Of withdrawing it. To me
he was a friend, loyal, trustworthy,
the one alone to whom I could COM
fide. Together we clambered over
the rough rocks to where the narrow
cleft led downward.
CHAPTER X.