Middletown transcript., 1916-07-08

Is none save myself in all New France
who has ever made that journey.
Twill be we'll for him to listen to my
plan. And why not? We do not
fight the orders Of the governor: we
obey, and wait. Monsieur de 10 Sale
will tell his story to the king"
''The King! To Louise"
cay, twill not be the first time he
has had audience, and already he is
at sea. We can wait, and laugh at
this Cassion over his useless journey"
But he-he is treacherous. mon
sieur."
He laughed as though the words
amused.
ITO one who has lived as 1, amid
savages. treachery is an old story. The
commissaire will not find ME asleep.
| We will serve each other. and let 1t
go at that. All! we are to be inter
| rupted"
He Strengthened up facing the door.
and 1 turned. confronting my uncle
as he emerged in advance. He was
burly man, with iron gray hair, and
! face reddened by out-of-dOors; and he
stopped in surprise at sight Of a
stranger, his eyes hardening with sus-
! picion.
"And who is this with whom you
converse so privately, Adele? " he
questioned brusquely. "a young popin-
| jay new to these parts 1 venture"
D'Artigny stepped between us,
smiling in good humor.
MY call was upon you. Monsieur
Chevet, and not the young lady" he
said quietly enough, yet with 4 tone
to the voice Il merely asked her if
I had found the right place, and if
Monsieur the Commissaire CasSion
was still your guest"
"And what, may ask, might be
your business with the COmmissaire
Casson? asked the latter. pressing
past Chevet. yet bowling with sem
blance Of politeness. scarcely IN ac-
cord with the studied insolence of his
wo"ds Il have no remembrance of
your face"
"Then, Monsieur Cassion is not OBJ
servant" returned the younger man
pleasantly. las l accompanied the
Sieur de la Sale in his attempt to
have audience with the governor"
"Ahp' the word of surprise explod
ed from the lips "Sacre! it's true! My
faith, what difference clothes make l
mistOok you for a courier du bois"
Il am the Sieur Rene d'Artigny."
Lieutenant of La Salle's?"
Scarcely that, monsieur. but
comrade; for three years I have been
with his party, and was chosen by him
for this mission"
Casslon laughed, chucking the
gloomy faced Chevet in the side, as
though he would give point to good
Joke.
And little the trip hither has profit
ed either master or man. I warrant.
La Barre does not sell New France TO
every adventurer. Monsieur de la
Sale found different reception in Que
bee than when Frontenac ruled this
colony Where went the fur stealer?'
'"To whom do you refer?"
ITO whom? Heaven help us. Chevet,
the man would play nice with words.
Well, let it go. my young cock, and
answer me-"
"You mean the Sieur de Ia Salle?'
ITO be sure; called him no worse
than I have heard La Barre speak.
They say he has left Quebec; what
more know you"
"'Tis no secret. monsieur" replied
D'Artlgny quietly enough, although
there was Il flash in his eyes, as they
met mine The Sieur de Ia Sale has
sailed for France"
France! Bah you jest; there has
been no ship outward bound"
'The Breton paused at St. Roche.
held by the fog When the fog lifted
there was new passenger aboard. By
dawn the Indian paddlers had me
landed in Quebec"
Does Id Barre know?"
Faith! l could not tell you that,
as he has not honored ME with audi
ence."
Cassion strobe back and forth, his
face dark with passion. 1t was not
pleasant news he had been told, and
it was plain enough he understood the
meaning
by the saints"' he exclaimed "'Tis
a sly fox to break through our guard
so easily. Ay, and twill give him a
month to whisper his lies to Louis, be-
fore La Barre can forward report
But, sacre. my young chanticleer, sure
ly you are not here to bring me this
bit Of news. You sought me, you
said? Well, for what purpOse?'
I'm peace, monsieur. Because l have
served Sieur de Ia Sale Loyalty is no
reason why we should be enemies. We
are both the kings men, and may
work together. The word has come to
me that you head a party for the Illi-
nois, with instructions for De Baugis
at Fort st. Louis. Is this true?"
Cassion bowed coldly, waiting to
discover how much more his ques-
tiOnel knew.
''Ah, then l am right thus far Well
monsieur, twas on that account
came, to volunteer as guide"
You! 'Twould be treachery."
"Oh, no; our interests are the same
so far as the journey goes. I would
reach st. Louis; so would you. Be
cause we may have different ends in
view, different causes to serve, has
naught to do with the trail thither
There is not u man who knows the
way as we'll as l. -Four times have
travelled it, and l am not savage,
monsieur am a gentleman of
IYronoo