Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-08-10
Beyond the Frontier
By ANDALL PARRISH

If 1 said more, for l am Monsieur
Cassion's wife by rite of Holy church.
l do not fear him-he is a coward;
but l fear dishonor, monsieur, for l
am Adele la Chesnayne. l would re-
spect myself and you"
The light of conquest vanished from
the gray eyes. For a moment he stood
silent and motionless; then he drew a
step backward and bowed.
"Your rebuke is just, madame" ne
said soberly. "We of the frontier grow
careless in a land where might is
right, and l have had small training
save in camp and field. l crave your
pardon for my offense."
So contrite was his expression l had
to smile, realizing for the first time
the depth of his interest in my good
will, yet the feeling which swayed me
was not altogether that of pleasure.
He was not one to yield so quietly, or
to long restrain the words burning his
tongue, yet l surrendered to my first
impulse, and extended my hand.
There is nothing to pardon, Sieur
d'Artigny," l said frankly. There Is
no one to whom l Owe more of cour-
tesy than you. l trust you fully, and
believe your word, and in return l
ask the same faith. Under the condi-
tons confronting us we must aid each
other. We have both made mistakes
in thus ~endeavoring to shield one an
other from suspicion, and, as a result,
are both equally in peril. Our being
alone together here will enrage Mon
sieur Cassion, and he will use all his
power for revenge. My testimony will
only make your cas- more desperate
should l confess what l know, and
you might cast suspicion upon me"
"You do not believe | would"
mo, l do not, and yet, perchance,
it might be better for us both If
made full confession. l hesitate mere
ly because Cassion would doubt my
word; would conclude that I merely
sought to protect you. Before others
fair-minded judges at st. Louis
should have no hesitancy in telling the
whole story, for there is nothing l did
of which l am ashamed, but here
where Cassion has full authority, suct
a confession would mean your DEATH
He believes that you feel Interest
in me?"
81 have never denied it; the fac
which rankles, however, is his knoWl
edge that l feel no interest whatever
in him. But we waste time, monsieur
in fruitless discussion. Our only course
is a discovery of Hugo Chevet's rea
murderer. Know you anything to war
rant suspicious"
D'Artigny did not answer at once
his eyes looking out on the whit
crested waters of the lake.
mo, madame" he said at lengtl
gravely. 'The last time Chevet wa
| seen alive, so far as l now know, wa
when he left the boats in compan
with Monsieur Cassion to return to tn
Mission house. Could there be an
reason why Cassion should desire tn
[ death of Chevety
{ 81 know of none. My uncle fel
| bitter wei the ~concealment of my fol
tune, and no doubt the two had e1
changed words, but there was no ope
} quarrel. Chevet was rough and heat
strong, yet he al not killed In figh
for the knife thrust was from behind.
SAY, a towards blow. Chew
: possessed no papers of value?"
; / shook my head.
| "If so, no mention was eve mad
to me. But, monsieur, you are sti
wet, and must be cold in this win
e Why do you not build the fire, an
e dry your clothingT"
/, 1.-THE wind does have an icy feel
he admitted, "but this is a poor spo
e Up yonder in the wood shadow thel