The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-25

| and when Monsieur Cassion re-
turns from his mission you will
marry him-you understand"
| The tears were in my eyes,
blotting out his threatening face,
yet there was naught to do but
| answer:
yes, Monsieur"
We went to Quebec the next
day.
The huge palace was ablaze
with lights, and already crowded
with guests at our arrival.
Monsieur Cassion congratulated
me on my appearance with bows,
and words of praise which made
me flush.
| will not describe the scene in
the great ballroom, for now, as I
write. the brilliant pageant is but
dim memory.
recall the bright lights over
head. the raised dais at one end,
carpeted with skins of wild ami
mails, where the Governor stood.
We approached the dais, and
awaited our turn to extend felici-
tations to Governor La Barre.
He was a dark man, stern Of
face, and with strange, furtive
eyes. When he perceived Monsieur
Cassion he extended his hand cor
daily.
"Ah, Francois, you are here at
last, and ever welcome. And this"
he bowed low before me, mo
doubt will be the Mademoiselle la
Chesnayne of whose charms |
have heard so much of late. Your
father, Mademoiselle?"
Captain Pierre la Chesnayne,
sir"
'Ah, yes; ] knew him we'll; he
fell on the Richelieu; a fine SOL
der" He turned toward Cassion,
the expression of his face changed.
You depart tonight?"
"At daybreak, SIR"
THAT is we'll | 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. Presently Cassion
left me for a moment, and my
whole attention concentrated on
the discovery of De Artigny.
Where he came from | knew not,
but his voice softly speaking at
my very ear brought 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 | was truly
welcomed, Mademoiselle," he
said, and gravely enough. Gould
| hope that you were even seek
ing me yonder?"
1T would be the truth, IL you
did," l responded frankly, land |
was beginning to doubt your
promise.
Nor was 1t as easily kept as
l supposed when given" he said
under his breath. Come with me
into this side room where we can
converse more freely"
slipped back willingly enough
through the lifted curtain into
the deserted room behind. 1t was
evidently an office of some kind,
and was unlighted, except for the
CLEAN from between the curtains.
The outer wall was so thick con-
siderable space separated the
room from the window, which was
screened off by heavy drapery.
De Artigny appeared familiar
with these details, for he led me
into this recess, where we stood
concealed. Lights from below IL
lumined our faces, and revealed
an open window looking down on
the court.
But. Monsieur" questioned
puzzled, why was it not easy?"
He was about to answer when
there was voice speaking in the
office room behind the closing of
door, and the scraping of chair
as some one sat down.
l did not recognize the voice
speaking-nor do I know what
was said. But the second speak
er was La Barre.
you saw the lady?" he asked
In the receiving line for a mo-
ment only; fair enough maid to
be loved for her own sake
should say"
The other laughed.
IAN heiress, and beautiful!
Piff! but she might find others to
her liking rather than this Cas-
sion."
''It is small chance she has had
to make choice, and as to her be-
ing an heiress, where heard you
such a rumor, Colonel Delguard?"
"You forget, SIR" the officer
said slowly, that the papers
passed through my hands after
Captain la OResnayne's death. II
was at your request they failed to
reach the hands of Frontenac.
La barre gazed at him across
the desk, his brows contracted
into a frown.
"No, had not forgotten" and
the words sounded harsh. "But
they came to me properly sealed
and l supposed unopened. l think
/ have some reason to ask an ex
PLANTATION. Monsieur"
And one easily made. saw