Cheyenne record., 1916-11-09

! ~ Ac.fSduRo . co
to lead back to the manipulations Of
Cassion. Faithl there il some mystery
here, for surely the man seemed happy
enough when first we met at Chevet's
house, and accepted my offer gladly.
Have you any theory az to this change
in his frontY'
I felt the blood surge to my cheeks,
and my eyes fell before the intensity
Of his glance.
"If have, monsieur, tits no need
that 1t be mentioned"
"Your pardon, mademoiselle, but
your words already answer me-'tis
then that have shown interest in you;
the dog is jealousw
Monsieur
He laughed, and felt the tightening
of his hand on mine.
"Goodl and by all the gods, will
give him fair cause. The thought
pleases me, for rather would be your
soldier than my own. See how it dove
tails i'll meet you at the convent
and pledge you my aid; some spy
bears word Of our conference to mon
sieur, and an hour later receive word
that II I have more to do with you I
die. smile at the warning and send
back a message Of insult. Then my
invitation to this ball 10 withdrawn,
and, later still, La Barre even advises
that be assassinated at the least ex-
cuse. Twould seem they deem you
Of Importance, mademoiselle."
"You make it no more than Joker
Ear from it; the very fact that
know the men makes it matter Of
grave concern. I might, indeed, smile
did It concern myself alone, but I have
your interests In mind-you have hon.
friend, and now I know not where 1
may serve you best-in the wilderness,
or here in QuebecT
"There can nothing injure me here,
monsieur, not with Cassion travelling
to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave
behind him those who win observe my
movements-that cannot harm"
"It is Hugo Chevet, fear"
"Chevetl my uncle-I do not under
stand"
mo. for he is your uncle, and you
know him only in such relationship.
He may have been to you kind and in
dulgent. do not ask. But to those
who meet him in the world he is big,
cruel, savage brute, who would sacri-
fee even you, If you stood in his way.
And now If you fail to marry Cassion,
you will SO stand. He is the one who
will guard you, by choice Of the COM
missaire. and orders Of La Barre, and
he will do his part WELL"
II can remain with the sisters"
"Not in opposition to the governor;
they would never dare anita gonize him;
tomorrow you will return with Che
vet"
I drew q quick breath, my eyes on
his face.
"How can you know all this, mon
sieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice
mer"
"No matter how I know. Some of
It has been your own confession,
coupled with my knowledge Of the
man. Three days ago learned of his
debt to Cassion, and that the latter
had him in his claws, and at his mercy.
Today had evidence Of what that
debt means"
"TodaSr'
"Ay! twas from Chevet the threat
came that he would kill me If I ever
met with you again."
could but stare at him, incredulous,
my fingers unconsciously graspinR his
jacket.
"He said that? Chevet?"
"Ay! Chevet; the message came by
mouth Of the halfbreed, his voyageur,
and choked out of him where he had
left his master, yet when 1 got there
the man had gone. If we might meet
tonight the matter would be swiftly
settled" ..-
He gazed out into the darkness, and
I saw his hand close on the hilt of his
knife. caught his arm.
"No, no, monsieur; not that. You
must not seek quarrel, for am not
afraid-truly I am not; you will lis
ten"
There was a voice speaking In the
Office room behind, the closing Of
door, and the scraping Of a chair as
someone sat down. My words ceased,
and we stood silent in the shadow, my
grasp still on D'Artigny's arm.
CHAPTER v. -
Tho Order Of La Barre,