Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1916-07-14

and Cassion's lips lost their grin, "and
my delay in changing dress has oc-
Cured through the strange disappear
ance of Mademoiselle la Chesnayne.
I left her with Major Gallons while /
danced with my lady, and have since
found no trace Of the maid"
"Does not Gallons known
"Only that seeking refreshments. he
left her, and found her gone on his re-
turn. Her wraps are in the dressing
ROOM
"Then it's not like she has fed the
palace. No doubt she awaits you in
some corner. will have the servants
look, and meanwhile pay heed to me.
This is a mission of more import than
love-making with a maid, Monsieur
Cassion, and its success or failure will
determine your future. You have my
| letter of Instruction.
"It has been carefully read"
"And the sealed orders for Chevalier
de Raugis?"
Here, protected in oiled silk"
"See that they reach him, and no
one else; they give him an authority
could not grant before, and should
end La Salle's control Of that country.
You have met this Henri de Tonty?
He was here with his master three
years since and had audience"
"Ay, but that was before my time.
Is he one to resist De Baugis?"
HE impressed me as a man who
would obey to the letter, monsieur; a
dark-faced soldier, with an iron jaw.
He had lost one arm in battle, and
was loyal to his chief"
$50 l have heard-a stronger man
than De Baugis?'
"a more resolute; all depends on
what orders La Sale left, and the
number of men the two command"
I'm that respect the difference is
not great De Baugfs had but hand
full Of soldiers to take from Mackinac,
although his voyageurs may be de-
| pended upon to obey his will. His in
structions were not to employ force"
Anu IuS SdIIlSOA VI 81
F.. "'Tis hard to tell, as there are fur
! hunters there of whom we have no
record. La Salle's report would make
his own command IS. but they are
well chosen, and he hath lieutenants
not so far away as to be forgotten.
La Forest would strike at word, and
! De la Durantaye is at the Chicago por-
tage, and no friend Of mine. IT'S of
importance, therefore, that your voy-
age be swiftly completed, and my or
ders placed in De Baugis' hands. Are
all things ready for departure?"
GAY, the boats only await my COM
ing"
The governor leaned his head on his
hand, crumbling the paper between his
fingers.
This young fellow-D'Artigny," he
said thoughtfully, you have some spe-
cial reason for keeping him in your
company"
Cassion crossed the room, his face
suddenly darkening.
cay, now | have" he explained
shortly, although L first engaged his
services merely for what l deemed to
be their value. He spoke me most
fairly"
But since"
ST have cause to suspect. Chevet
tells me that today he had conference
with mademoiselle at the house of the
Ursulines."
| fnr ho% +har had his
ticket revoked. 1 see where the shoe
pinches. Twill be safer with him in
the boats than back here in Quebec.
Then l give permission, and wash my
hands of the whole affair-but beware
of him, Cassion."
81 may be trusted, sir"
s'I question that no longer" He hest
tated slightly, then added in lower
tone: eff accident occur the report
may be briefly made. 1 think that
will be all"
Both men were upon their feet, and
La Barre extended his hand across the
desk. l do not know what movement
may have caused 1t, but at that mo-
ment a wooden ring holding the cur
tain fell, and struck the floor at my
feet. Obeying the first impulse
thrust D'Artigny back behind me into
the shadow, and held aside the drap-
cry. Both men, turning, startled at the
sound, beheld me clearly, and stared in
amazement. Cassion took step for
ward, an exclamation of surprise
| breaking from his lips.
"Adele! Mademoisellep'
| I stepped more fully into the light,
permitting the curtain to fall behind
me, and my eyes swept their faces.
Eyes, monsieur-you were seeking
meY
"For an hour past; for what reason
| did you leave the ballroom?''
With no purpose n NY mind but To
gain time in which to collect my
thought and protect D'Artigny from
discovery, made answer, assuming q
carelessness of demeanor which was
far from feeling.
HAS IT been so long, MONSIEUR l