Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-08-08
CHAPTER lX-Continued.

C4APTER IX-Continued.
looming far out grasping a branch
>, keen from falling, distinguished
tho canoe at the upper landing. and the
Indians busily preparing camp. AT
erst saw nothing of any white man.
bnt was gazing still when D'Artigny
or,arqad from some shadow and
stennpd down beside the boat. | know
NOT what instinct prompted him to
turn and look up intently at the bluH
+ov-aring above. | scarcely cOmpre-
bended either what swift impulse led
mo 10 undo the neckerchief at my
throat and hold it forth in signal. An
instant he stared upward, shading his
eyes with one hand.
must have seemed a vision cling
ing there against the sky, yet all at
once the truth burst upon him, and,
with a wave Of the arm. he sprang
10 the low bank and Joined his In
dams | could not hear what he said,
but with a single word he left them
and disappeared among the trees at
the foot of the bluff.
He must have scrambled straight up
the steep face of the bluff, for it could
have been scarcely more than a min
ute when heard him crunching a pas
sage through the bushes. and then
saw him emerge above the edge. Cling
ing to a tree limb. his eyes sought
eagerly to locate me. and when L
stepped forward, he sprang erect and
bowed, jerking his hat from his head.
There was about his action the en-
thusiasm of a boy, and his face glowed
with an eagerness and delight which
instantly broke down every barrier
between US.
You waved to me?" he exclaimed.
"You wished me to Gomez"
Yes" l confessed, swept from my
guard by his enthusiasm. 81 have
been anxious to confer with you. and
this is my first opportunity"
Why | thought you avoided me-"
he burst forth. 1T is because l felt
so that | have kept away"
There was nothing else I could do
but pretend" l exclaimed. gaining
control over my voice as l spoke. "My
every movement has been watched
since We left Quebec; this is the first
moment l have been left alone-if.
indeed, l am now" And l glanced
about dOubtfully into the shadows of
the forest.
You imagine you may have been
followed here? By whom? Cassion I"
BY himself or some emissary. Pere
AIouez has been my jailer, but
chances to be disabled at present. The
commtsSaire permitted me to climb
here alone, believing you to be safely
camped above the rapids. yet his sus-
pieions may easily revive"
His SuSpiciOnsT' the sieur laughed
softly. so that then is the trouble?
It is to keep Us apart that he bids me
make separate camp each night; and
assigns NE to every post of peril. |
ieeI the honor, mademoiselle. yet why
am especially singled out for so
great dStincdon?"
He suspects us of being friends.
HE knew l 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 antagonlsm 70 such an ex-
tent: cannot understand what crime
/ nave committed, mademoiselle. 1t
: al. mystery, even why you should
Se mere with US on this long journey?
surely you had no such thought when
We parted lastw
lou do not know what has oc-
curTed: J asked, in establishment mo
one has told your"
Io.d NE! How? have scarcely
neIu speech with anyone but the AL
eouquio chief since we took to the
"@.e1. CasSion has but given orders,
aul Oheyet is mum as an oyster.
Su1ed'ored to find you in Montreal.
~ you were safely locked behind
~ "a"S. That something was wrong
rex convinced, yet what it might be
40 enc would tell me. | tried ques-
!, lung The pere, but he only shook
ny mead and left me unanswered.
-, a. ne then. mademoiSelle, by what
. IN. does this CaSSion hold you as
u! lips trembled. and my eyes fell.
|e' must answer.
he IS my husband. monsieur"
- caught glimpse of his face, pic
-,,.s surprise. incredibly. He drew
o, slaFp breath and noted his hand
% "sht.y on the hilt of his knife.
go. 'ouF husband, that cur. Surely
you do not jest?"
=. would that I did" exclaimed.
. .,s,ns all control in sudden wave of
No. monsieur. it is true"
nv ~-u told him swiftly the story of
enforced marriage.
!, And Hugo Chevet, your uncle, Did
~ remain silent? make no protest?"
save gesture of despair.