Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-10-06

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I'VE Are Alone Now-Are You Sorry?"
sinking downward My body rubbed
against the rough logs, and then
against rock. Once a Jagged edge
wounded me, yet dare not release my
grip, or utter a sound. | sank down,
down, the strain ever greater on my
nerves I retained no knowledge OF
distance, but grew apprehensive OF
what awaited me below Would the
rope reach to the rock? Would / swing
clear? Even as these thoughts began
to horrify, felt hand grip me, and
Boisrondet's whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
"It is all right madame; release your
foot, and trust me. Good, now do not
venture to move, until Rene joins us.
Faith he wastes little time; he is COM
ing now"
could see nothing, not even the
outlines of my companion, who stood
holding the cord taut. | could feel the
Jagged face of the rock, against which
/ stood, and ventured. by reaching out
ate surroundings. The cropping toe
touched the edge Of the narrow shelf,
and drew back startled at thought OF
another sheer drop into the black
depths.
Ny heart was still pounding when
D'Artigny found foothold beside me.
AS he swung free from the cord, his
fingers touched my dress.
"a fine test of courage that, Adele"
he whispered, ''but with Francois hero
below there was small peril. Now
what neXt?"
"A ticklish passage for few yards.
Stand close until 1 get by; now cling
to the wall, and follow me. Once off
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame, take hold Of my jacket. Rene,
you have walked this path before
"Ay, years since, but recall its
peril"
We crept forward, so cautiously It
seemed we scarcely moved, the rock
shelf we traversed so narrow in places
that could scarce find space in which
to plant my feet firmly. Suddenly we
clambered on to fiat rock, crossed it,
and came to the edge Of wood, with
murmur of water not far away. Here
Boisrondet paused, and we came close
about him. There seemed to be more
light here, although the tree shadows
were grim, and the night rested about
Us in impressive silence.
.Here is where the river trail comes
down." and Boisrondet made motion
TO the left. .You should remember
that well, Rene"
II was first to pass over It; it leads
10 the water edge"
Eyes; not so easily followed in the
night, yet you are woodsman enough
10 make it. So far as we know from
above the Iroquois, have not discov-
Fred there is passage here. Listen,
Rene: leave you now, for those were
De Tonty's orders. He said that from
low on you would be safe alone. OF
course he knew nothing of madame's
purpose"
Monsieur shall not find me a bur
len.' I interrupted.
Il am sure Of that" he said gallant.
", "and so think it best to return while
the night conceals my movements,
There will be hot words when M. Cas-
sion discovers your escape, and nay
chief may need my sword beside him,
| If it comes to blows. Is my decision
to return right, ReneT"
"Ay, right; would that ! might be
with you But what plan did NJ. dc
Tonty outline for me to follow?"
"'Twas what l started to tell. AT
| the edge of the water, but concealed
| from the river by rocks, is a small hut
| where we keep hidden a canoe ready
| fitted for any secret service Twas
Sieur de la Sales thought that it
might prove Of great use in time of
siege. No doubt it is there now, just
as we left it, undiscovered Of the Iro'
| quois. This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along Shore"
There is a rifle?''
Two OF Tnen, WITH powder anu
ball" He laid his hand on the others
| shoulder. "There is nothing more to
say, and time is of value. Farewell, my
| friend
Farewell" their fingers clasped.
"There will be other days, Francois;
my gratitude to M. de Tonty." Bos-
rondet stepped back, and, hat in hand,
bowed to me-
"Adieu, madame; pleasant jour
ney."
"A moment, monsieur" / said, fall
! ter in my voice "You are M. OAR
tigny's friend, an officer Of France, and
Catholic"
Eyes. madame
And you think that / am right in