Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-10-27
A Romance of
Early Days in
fhe Middle VEST

"Ay," there was little g~raciousness
to the tone. for the man had the ma
ture Of a bully. ""Twas my thought
that 1t be brought for your use; and
IL Monsieur d'.Artigny will consent 20
stand aside, 1t will give me pleasure
TO escort you thither."
The younger mans eyes glanced
from the others face into mine, as
though seeking reinsurance, His hat
was Instantly In his hand, and he
stepped backward, bowling low.
1.-The wish Of the lady is sufficient"
he said quietly, and then stood again
erect. facing Cassion. Yet" he adj
ded slowly, II would remind monsieur
that while I serve him as a guide, 1t
Is as Il volunteer, and l arr also an
officer Of France"
"Of FranceP Pah! Of tho renegade
La Sale"
France has no more loya! servant,
Monsieur Cassion, in all this western
land-nor Is he renegade, for he holds
the Illinois at the kings command"
Held it-yes; under Frontenac, but
not now"
"We will not quarrel over words,
yet not even in Quebec was 1t claimed
that higher authority than La Barre's
had led to recall. Louis had never In
terfered, and 1t Is De Tonty, and not
De Baugis who Is In command ut st.
Louis by royal order. My right %
respect Of rank is clearer than vour
own, monsieur, so l beg you curb your
temper"
"You threaten meT
mo; we who live in the wilderness
do not talk, we act. | obey your or
ders, do your will, on this expedition,
but as a man, not n slave. In all else
we stand equal, and | accept insult
from no living man. TITS well that
you know this, monsieur"
The hat was back upon his head,
and he had turned away before Cas-
sion found answering speech.
"Mon Dieu! I'll show the pup who
is the master" he muttered. Let
him disobey once. and III stretch his
dainty form as / would an indian
cur"
Monsieur" l said, drawing his at.
tention to my presence. ""Tis OF no
interest to me your silly quarrel with
Sicur d'Artigny. / am weary with the
boat journey, and would rest until
food IL served"
I walked beside him among the
trees, and across the patch Of grass
to where the tent stood against q
background Of rock. D'Artigny had
disappeared, although l glanced about
in search for him, MS Cassion drew
aside the tent flap, and peered within.
He appeared pleased at the way In
which his orders had been executed.
otis very neat, indeed, monsieur"
l said pleasantly, glancing inside. Il
owe you my thanks"
"'Twas brought for my W USE"
he confessed, encouraged by my grs'
ciousness, "for, as you know, | had
no previous warning that you were
to be Of our party, Please step with
In"
did so, yet turned instantly to pre-
vent his following me. Already / ha0
determined on my course Of action.
and now the time had come for me to
speak him clearly; yet now that had
definite purpose In view It was no
part Of my game to anger the man.
Monsieur" l said soberly II must
beg your mercy. I am but a girl, and
alone. It is true I am your wife by
law, but the change has come 30 sud
denly that / am yet dazed. l appeal
to you as a gentleman"
He stared into my face, scarcely
comprehending all my meaning.
"You would bar me without? You
forbid me entrancer'
would you seek to enter against
my wish"
"But you are my wife; that you will
not deny! What will be said, thought
II l go elsewhere?"
Monsieur, save for Hugo Chevet
none in this company know the story
OF that marriage, or why l an mere
What / ask brings no stain upon you
IT'S not that l 80 dislike you, mon
sieur, but | am the daughter OF Pierre
la C~hesnayne, and It's not In my blood
to yield to force. It will be best ID
yield me respect and consideration"
"You are a sly wench," he said
laughing unpleasantly, "but 1t may b
best that l give you your own way foI
this once. There Is time enough In
which to teach you my power. And
so you shut the tent to me, fair lady
in spite Of your pledge to Holy church
All, well! there are storms a plenty be
tween here and st. Ignace, and yot
will become lonely enough In the vii
derness to welcome me. One kiss, ant
l leave you"
mo, monsieur"
His eyes were ugly.
you refuse thatl Mon Dieu! d
/, you think l play? will have th'
kiss-or more"