Middletown transcript., 1916-10-21


woods. All! he has reached the rock
safely-'tis the signal"
D'Artigny drew up the cord. testing
it to make sure the strands held firm.
and made careful noOse.- into which he
slipped my foot.
Now. Adele. you are ready?"
Eyes, sweetheart; kiss me first"
"You have no fearY'
"Not with your strong hands to sup
port. but do not keep me waiting long
below"
Ay. but was frightened as swung
off into the black void. clinging des-
perately to that slight rope. steadily
sinking downward My body rubbed
against the rough logs, and then
against rock. Once a jagged edge
wounded me, yet dare not release my
grip, or utter a sound. sank down.
down, the strain ever greater on my
nerves. / retained no knowledge Of
distance, but grew apprehensive Of
what awaited me below. Would the
rope reach to the rock? Would swing
clear? Even as these thoughts began
to hcrrify, felt a hand grip me, and
Boisrondet's whisper gave cheerful
greeting.
at is all right, madame; release your
foot, and trust me. Good. now do not
venture, to move, until Rene joins us
Faith. he wastes little time; he is com
ing now"
could see nothing, not even the
outlines of my companion, who stood
holding the cord taut l could feel the
Jagged face Of the rock. against which
I stood, and ventured, by reaching out
with one foot. to explore my immedl-
ate surroundings. The cropping toe
touched the edge of the narrow shelf
and drew back startled at thought OF
another sheer drop into the black
depths.
NV heart was still pounding when
D'Artigny found foothold beside me.
AS he swung free from the cord. his
fingers touched my dress
"a fine test Of courage that, Adele" :"
he whispered, "but with Francois here
below there was small peril. Now
what nextT'
"A tickfish passage for few yards
Stand close until get by: now cling
to the wall, and follow me. Once off
this shelf we can plan our journey.
Madame. take hold Of my Jacket. Rene,
you have walked this path before"
cay, years since, but l recall Its
peril"
We crept forward, so cautiously 1t
seemed we scarcely moved. the rock
shelf we traversed so narrow in places
that I could scarce fRd space in which
to plant my feet firmly. Suddenly we
clambered on to a fat rock. crossed it.
and came to the edge OF wood. with
a murmur Of water not far away. Here
Boisrondet paused. and we came close
about him. There seemed to be more
light here, although the tree shadows
were grim, and the night rested about
us in impressive silence.
"Here is where the river trail comes
down" and BOisrondet made motion
to the left. ''You should remember
that well, Rene"
''T was first TO pass ever st; 1t leads
to the water edge"
Yves; not SO easily followed in the
night. yet you are woodsman enough
to make it. So far as we know from
above the TroquOis. have not discOv-
cred there Is a passage here. Listen.
! Rene: leave you now, for those were
! De Tonty's orders. He said that from
now on you would be safe alone. OF
course he knew nothing of madame's
purpose"
Monsieur shah pot find me a bur-
den,' interrupted.
Il am sure of that" he said. gallant
". ''and so think It best to return while
the night conceals my movements
There will be hot words when NJ. Cas-
sion discovers your escape, and my
chief may need my sword beside him,
if it comes TO blows. Is my decision
to return right Renee"
"Ay. right; would that I might be
with you. But what plan did N. de
Tonty outline for me to foll0w?'
Twas what started to tell. At
the edge of the water. but concealed
from the river by rocks, is a small hut
where we keep hidden a canoe ready
fitted for any secret service. Twas
Sieur de Ia SaAe's thought that It
might prove Of great use in time Of
siege. No deHbt It is there now. just
as we left it. undiscovered of the Iro-
quois- This will bear you down the
river until daylight, when you can hide
along shore"
There ls a riGe2''
! 1.-TWO of them. with powder and
ball" He laid his hand on the others
shoulder. There Is nsthing more to
say. and time ls Of value. Farewell. my
friend"
Farewell" their Singers clasped
There will be other days. Francois;
my gratitude to NJ. de Tonty." Bois-
rOHdet stepped back. and. hat in hand,
bowed to me.
"Adieu, madame; a pleasant jour
ney."
"A moment. monsieur" I said. faI-
ter in my voice "YOH are VI. oar
tigny's friend. an officer Of France. and
Catholic"
"Yes. madame"
"And you think that am right In
my chOtce-that am doing naught un-
worthy Of nay womanhoodY'
Even in the darkness | saw him
make the symbol of the cross. before
he bent forward and kissed my hand
Madame" he said gravely. 81 am
but. plain soldier. with all my service
on the frontier. leave to the priests
the discussion of doctrines. and to God