Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-07-07

uuUSluy DFOWS. let lie WAS IuUSL SId'
cious to Du L'Hut, and when he turned
and perceived Monsieur Cassion next
in line, smiled and extended his hand
cordially.
"Ah, Francois, and so you are here
at last, and ever welcome. And this"
he bowed low before me in excess of
gallantry, mo doubt will be the Made
moiselle la Chesnayne of whose charms
I have heard so much Of late. BY my
faith, Cassion, even your eloquence
hath done small justice to the lady.
Where, mademoiselle, have you hidden
yourself, to remain unknown to us of
Quebecw
81 have lived with my uncle Hugo
Chevet."
"Ah, yes; I recall the circumstances
nova rough, yet loyal trader. He
was with me once on the Ottawa
and tonightY
HE accompanied Inc to the city,
your excellency, but I have not seen
him since"
"Small need, with Francois at your
beck and CALL" and he patted me
playfully on the cheek. 81 have al
ready tested his faithfulness. Your
father, mademoiselleY'
Captain Pierre la Chesnayne, SIR"
"Ah, yes; | knew him well; he fell
on the Richelieu; a fine soldier" He
turned toward Cassion, the expression
of his face changed
"YOu depart tonight?"
"At daybreak, sir"
"That is we'll; see to it that no tins
is lost on the journey. I have it in
my mind that De Baugis may need
you, for, from all l hear Henri de
Tonty is not an easy man to handle."
'De Tonty?"
Say! the lieutenant Sieur de la Sale
left in charge at st. Louis; an Italian
they tell me, and loyal to his master.
IT'S like he may resist my orders, and
De Baugis hath but handful with
which to uphold authority. I am not
sure l approve of your selecting this
lad D'Artigny as a guide; he may play
you false"
Small chance he'll have for any
trick"
"Perchance not, yet the way is long,
and he knows the Wilderness / advise
you guard him we'll. I shall send to
you for council in an hour; there are
papers yet unsigned"
He turned away to greet those who
IN
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 ms
with his wide acquaintance. l must
have made fit response, for his voice
never ceased, yet I felt no interest in
the stories, and disliked the man more
than ever for his vapid boasting. The
truth is my thought was principally
concerned with D'Artigny, and wheth-
err he would really gain admission. Still
of this l had small doubt, for his was
a daring to make light of guards, or
any threat of enemies, If desire urged
him on. And l had his pledge.
My eyes watched every moving fig
ure, but the man was not present, my
anxiety increasing as realized his
absence and speculated as to Its cause.
Could Cassion have interfered? Gould
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-
eddy possessed power. My desire to
see D'Artigny was now for his own
sake-to warn him Of danger and
treachery. The few words had caught
passing between La Barre and Cas-
sion had to me sinister mean1ngi
they were a promise Of protection
from the governor to his lieutenant,
and this officer of La Sales should be
warned that he was suspected and
watched. There was more to La
Barrels 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
to execute them. The wilderness hid
many secret, and might we'll conceal
another In some manner that night
I 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. |
danced with him twice, pleased to
know I had not forgotten the step, and
then, as he felt compelled to show at