Middletown transcript., 1916-08-26
CHAPTER xI-continued.

''The print is fresh, not ancient, and
none Of the men from my camp have
come this way"
He strobe forward across the mar
row open space and disappeared into
the fringe of trees bordering the edge
Of the bluff. 1t would have been easy
for me to depart, to escape to the Sc
curfty Of the tent below, but curiosity
held me motiOnless. | knew what he
would discover, and preferred to face
the consequences where l was free to
answer him face to face. l wished
bin to be suspicious, to feel that he
had a rival; would fan his jealousy
to the very danger point. Nor had l
long to wait. Forth from the shade
of the trees he burst and came toward
me. bis face white, his eyes blazing.
"'Tis the fellow thought" he burst
forth, land he went down the face of
the bluff yonder. So you dared to have
tryst with him?"
with whom, mOnsieurT
'D'Artigny, the young fool! Do you
think me blind? Did not know you
were together in Quebec? What are
you laughing atT"
81 was not laughing. monsieur. Your
ridiculous charge does not amuse me.
/ am a woman; you insult me; | am
your wife: you charge me with indls-
cretlon. If you think to win me with
such cowardly insinuatiOns you know
little Of my nature. l will not talk
with you. nor discuss the matter. l
return to the camp"
His hands clinched as though he
had the throat of an enemy between
them. but angry as he was, some
vague doubt restrained him.
fMon dieu! I'll fight the dog?
"D'Artigny, you mean? 'Tis his
trade, l hear. and he is good at it."
bah! a bungler of the woods.
doubt If he ever crossed blades with
a swOrdsman. But mark you this.
madame, the lad feels my steel if ever
you so much as speak to him again."
There was contempt in my eyes, nor
did strive to disguise it.
Am l your wife. monsieur, or your
slave?"
"My wife, and / know how to hold
you! Mon dieu! but you shall learn
that lesson. I was fool to ever give
the brat place in the boats. La Barre
warned me that he would make trou-
BILE. Now I tell you what will occur
if vOl, NAV false with me-"
"You may spare your threats-they
weigh nothing. The Sieur d'Artigny
is my friend, and / shall address him
when 1t pleases me. With whatever
quarrel may arise between you have
no interest. Let that suffice. and now
bid you good night. monsieur"
He made no effort to halt me, nor
to follow, and l made my way down
the darkening path. without so much
as turning my head to observe his
movements. 1t was almost like play
to me, and was reckless of the con-
sequences, intent only on my purpose.
In the early dawn we broke camp
as usual. except that chosen boatmen
guided the emptied canoes through the
rapids, while the others of the party
made portage along the rough shore.
In the smooth water above we all en-
barked again. and won slow way
against the current. The advance COM
pany had departed before our arrival.
nor did l again obtain glimpse Of
D'Artigny for many days.
would not say that Cassion pur-
poseiy kept US apart, for the arrange
ment might have been the same had
l not been of the party, yet the only
communication between the two diyi-
sions occurred when some messenger
brought back warning of dangerous
water ahead. Usually this messenger
was an Indian. but once D'Artigny
himself came and guided our canoes
through torrent of white. raging wa