Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1916-09-15

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A man, d-shouldered, in the
dress Of woodsman. elbowed his
way through the throng Of soldiers.
He had strong, good-humored face.
"In faith. l heard little of the con-
troversy. yet It's like | know the gist
Of it, as / have just conversed with
wounded soldier of mine, Barbeau,
who repeated the story as he under
stood it. Myzhand to you, Sieur OAR
tigny, and it seems to me, messieurs,
that De Tonty hath the right Of It."
s'You take his side against us who
have The authority of the governor?"
"Pah! that is not the issue. 'Tis
merely a question of justice to this lad
here. I stand for fair trial with Henri
dc Tonty, and will back my judgment
with my sword
They stood eye to eye, the four Of
them, and the group of soldiers seemed
to divide, each company drawing to-
gether. Cassion growled some vague
threat, but De Baugis took another
course, gripping his companion by the
arm.
mo, Francois, tits not worth the
danger" he eXpostulated. ''There will
be no crossing Of steel. Monsieur Cas-
sion, no doubt, hath reason to be an
gered-but not l. The man shall have
his trial, and we will learn the right
and wrong of all this presently. Mon
sieur Tonty, the prisoner is left in
your charge. Fall back men-to your
barracks. Madame, permit me to Of
fer you my escort
'sTo where, monsieur?''
To the only quarters fitted for your
reception" he said CALAMITY, "those
| have occupied since arrival here"
you vacate them for meY'
eWith the utmost pleasure" bowling
CALAMITY. II beg Of you their accept
ence; your husband has been my
guest. and will join me in exile"
Il will use your quarters gladly,
Captain de Baugis," I said quietly,
rbnt will ask to be left there undis-
turbed."
Most assuredly, madame-my serv-
snt will accompany you."
"Then good night, messieurs."
faced Cassion, meeting his eyes frank,
ly. II am greatly wearied, and would
rest; tomorrow I will speak with you
monsieur Permit to pass"
He stood aside unable to affront
me, although the anger In his face wa(
evidence enough of brewing trouble.
No doubt he had boosted Of me to De
Baugis, and felt no desire now to have
our true relations exposed thus pub
licly. l passed him, glancing at none
of the others, and followed the soldier
across the beaten parade. A moment
later / was safely hidden within
two-rOomed cabin.
A table and two chairs, rudely made
with ak and knife, comprised the en-
tire furniture, but a small mirror, un-
framed, hung suspended against the
farther wall. l glanced at my refec-
ton in the glass, surprised to learn
how little change the weeks had made
face of girl which gazed back at
me, with clear, wide-open eyes, and
cheeks flushed in the freight. Strange
to say, the very sight Of my Youthful
ness was disappointment, and
brought with it doubt How could
fight these men? How could | hope
to win against their schemes and
plans of vengeance?
l opened the single window, and
leaned out, grateful for the fresh air
blowing against my face, but unable
to perceive the scene below shrouded
in darkness. Far away, down the
valley, was the red glow of fire, its
flame rejecting over the surface Of
the river. I knew I stared down into
great void, but could hear no sound
except faint gurgle of water directly
beneath I closed the window shutter,
and, urged by some impulse, crossed
over to the door leading to the other
apartment. 1t was sleeping room,
scarcely more than large closet, with
garments hanging on pegs against the
logs, and two rude hunks opposite the
door, But the thing which captured
my eyes was a bag Of brown leather
lying on the floor at the head Of one
of the bunks-a shapeless bag, having
no distinctive mark about it, and yet
which / instantly recognized-since
we left Quebec it had been in our
boat
AS I stood staring at 1t, remem-
bered the words Of De Baugis, syour
husband has been my guest" Az,
that was it-this had been Cassion's
quarters since his arrival, and this
was his bag, the one he kept beside
him in the canoe, his private property.
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