Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-09-19

Easy enough to say: but in all
truth I need not seek quarrel-it
comes my way without seeking. De
Baugis was not so bad-a bit high
strung. perhaps, and boastful of his
rank, yet not so i'll a comrade-but
there is newcomer here. a popinjay
named Cassion. with whom | cannot
abide. All. but you know the beast,
for you journeyed west in his COM
pany. Sacre. the man charged you
with murder. and | gave him the lie
to his teeth. Not two hours ago we
had our swords out but now you can
answer for yourself"
D'Artigny hesitated. his eyes meet
| ing mine.
Il fear. Monsieur de Tonty." he said
finally, 1.-The answer may not be so
easily made. If it were point of
sword. now. could laugh at the man.
but he possesses some ugly facts diff
cult to explain"
yet twas not your hand which did
the deed?"
Il pledge you my word to that. Yet
this is no time to talk of the matter
l have wounds to be looked to, and
would learn first how Barbeau fares.
You know not the lady; but OF course
not, or your tongue would never have
spoken so freely-Monsieur de Tonty,
Madame Cassion."
He Strengthened up. his eyes on my
face For an instant he stood mo-
tionless; then swept the hat from his
head. and bent low
"Your pardon. madame; we of the
wilderness become rough of speech
should have known. for rumor had
reached me of your accident You
owe life, no doubt to Sieur d Artigny."
Yes. monsieur; he has been my
kind friend"
HE would not be the one l love
else. We know men on this frontier.
madame and this lad hath seen years
of service by my SIDE" His hand
rested on D'Artigny's shoulder
''Twas only natural then. that
should resent NJ. Cassion's charge Of
murder"
of NJ d'Artigny," I answered firmly
enough, "but beyond this assertion |
can say nothing"
Naturally not, madame Yet we
must move along. You can walk,
ReneW
cay, my hurts are mostly bruises"
The torches led the way, the dane
ing flames lighting up the scene. There
was hard, packed earth under our feet,
nor did l realize yet that this Fort st.
Louis occupied the summit of q great
rock, protected on three sides by preci-
pieces, towering high above the river
Sharpened palisades of logs surround
ed us on every side, with low log
houses built against them, on the roofs
of which rifemen could stand in safe
ty to guard the valley below
The central space was open except
for two small buildings. one from it's
shape a chapel. and the other, as
learned later. the guardhouse fire
blazed at the farther end Of the in
closure, with a number of men loung-
ing about it, and illumned the front
of a more pretentious building, which
apparently extended across that entire
end. This building having the ap-
pearance of q barrack. exhibited nu-
merous doors and windows, with a
narrow porch in front, on which l per
ceived a group of men.
AS we approached more closely, De
Tonty walking between D'Artigny and
myself, a soldier ran up the steps, and
made some report. Instantly the
group broke. and two men strobe past
the fire. and met us. One was a tall,
imposing figure in dragon uniform,
sword at his thigh, bis face full
bearded: the other whom I recognized
instantly with a quick intake Of
breath. was Monsieur Cassion. He
was a stride In advance, his, eyes
searching me out in the dim light. his
face flushed from excitement.
Mon Dieu! what is this | hear" he
exclaimed, staring at the three of us
as though doubling the evidence Of his
own eyes. "My wife alive? Ay. by
my faith, it is indeed Adele" He
grasped me by the arm, but even at