Middletown transcript., 1916-07-22

her escort to beware of D'Artigny.)
"Perchance not, yet the way Is long,
and he knows the wilderness. l advise
you guard him WELL l shall send to
you for council in an hour; there are
papers yet unsigned"
He turned away to greet those who
followed us in line, while we moved
forward into the crowd about the
walls. Cassion whispered in my ear,
telling me bits of gossip about this
and that one who passed US, seeking
to exhibit his wit, and impress me
with his wide acquaintance. l must
have made fit response, for his voice
never ceased, yet 1 felt no interest in
the stories, and disliked the man more
than ever for his vapid boastlng. The
truth is my thought was principally
concerned with D'Artigny, and wheth-
er he would really gain admission. Still
Of this had small doubt, for his was
daring to make light Of guards, or
any threat of enemies, if desire urged
him on. And had his pledge.
NV eyes watched every moving fig
ure. but the man was not present, my
anxiety increasing as l realized his
absence, and speculated as to its cause.
Could Cassion have interfered? Could
he have learned of our interview, and
used his influence secretly to prevent
our meeting again? 1t was not impos-
sible, for the man was seemingly IN
close touch with Quebec and undoubt-
edly possessed power. My desire to
see D'Artigny was now for his own
sake-to warn him of danger and
treachery. The few words l had caught
passing between La Barre and Cas-
sion had to me a sinister meaning;
they were a promise of protection
from the governor to his lieutenant,
and this officer of La Salle's should be
warned that he was suspected and
watched. There was more to La
Barre's words than appeared openly;
it would be later, when they were
alone, that he would give his real
orders to Cassion. Yet 1 felt small
doubt as to what those orders would
be, nor Of the failure of the lieutenant
: 70 execute them The wilderness hid
many a secret and might we'll conceal
another. In some manner that night
must find D'Artigny, and whisper my
warning.
These were my thoughts, cryStalliz-
ing into purpose, yet 1 managed to
smile cheerily into the face of the com
missaire and make such reply to his
badinage as gave him pleasure. l
danced with him twice, pleased to
know had not forgotten the step, and
then, as he felt compelled to show at
tention to the governors lady. he left
me in charge of a tall, thin Ofacer-a
Major Gallons, l think = reluctantly,
and disappeared in the crowd. Never
did part with one more willingly,
and as the major spoke scarcely
dozen words during our long dance to-
gether l found opportunity to think,
and decide upon a course Of action.
As the music ceased my only plan
was to avoid Casslon as long as pos
sible, and, at my suggestion, the silent
major conducted me to a side room,
and then disappeared, seeking refresh
ments. l grasped the opportunity to
slip through the crowd, and find con-
cealment in quiet corner.
l leaned forward scanning each pass
ing face, my whole attention cOncen-
trated on the discovery Of D'Artigny.
Where he came from knew not, but
his voice softly speaking at my very
ear brought me to my feet, with a
little cry of relief. The joy of finding
him must have found expression in my
eyes, in my eager clasping Of his hand,
for he laughed.
"'Tis as though 1 was truly wei
coined, mademoiselle," he said, and
gravely enough. could hope that
you were even seeking me yonderT
at would be the truth, if you did"
1 responded frankly, "and 1 was be-
ginning to doubt your promise"
Nor was it as easily kept as sup
posed when given," he said under his
breath. Come with me into this side
room where we can converse more
freely-I can perceive Monsieur Cas-
sion across the floor. No doubt he is
seeking you, and my presence here
will give the man no pleasure"
l glanced in the direction indicated,
and although l saw nothing of the
commissaire, l slipped back willingly
enough through the lifted curtain into
the deserted room behind. 1t was
evldrnily an Office of some kind, for
Il rontained only a desk and some
rhnI.s :;nd WAS unlighted except for