Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-07-11
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Hath the governor grudge against
me also?"
Only that you are follower of La
Sale, and loyal, while he is heart and
hand with the other faction. He child
ed Cassion for accepting you as guide,
and advised close watch lest you show
treachery."
DArdgny leaned motionless against
the window ledge, and the light
streaming in through the opening of
the draperies revealed the gravity of
his expression. For the moment he
remained silent. turning the affair over
in his mind.
Il thank you, mademoiselle" he said
finally, snd touched my hand, ''for
your report gives me one more link to
my Chain. I have picked up several
in the past few hours, and all seem
to lead back TO the manipufations of
Cassion. Faith. there is some mystery
here, for surely the man seemed happy
enough when first we met at Chevets
house, and accepted my offer gladly.
Have you any theory as to this change
in his front?'
| felt the blood surge to my cheeks,
and my eyes fell before the intensity
Of his glance.
'If 1 have, monsieur, it's no need
that it be mentioned"
your pardon, mademoiselIe, but
your words already answer me-'tis
then that have shown interest in you;
the dog is jealous!'
Monsieur"
He laughed, and felt the tightening
of his hand on mine.
Good! and by all the gods, l will
give him fair cause. The thought
pleases me, for rather would be your
soldier than my own. See how it dove
tails in-I meet you at the convent
and pledge you my aid; some spy
bears word of our conference to mon
sieur, and an hour later 1 receive word
that if 1 have more to do with you l
die. l smile at the warning and send
back message of insult. Then my
invitation to this ball is withdrawn,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 Joke Z
Far from it; the very fact that 1
know the men makes it matter of
grave concern. l might, indeed, smile
| did it concern myself alone, but have
VOuF in 4auo 'lOn-
ored me by calling me yo&r only
friend, and now l know not where
| may serve you best-in the wilderness.
or here in Quebec?
There can nothing injure me here,
| monsieur, not with Cassion travelling
| behind him those who will observe my
| movements-that cannot harm"
''It is Hugo Chevet. 1 fear"
"Chevet! 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. 1 do not ask. But to those
! VINO 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 we'll"
Il can remain with the sisters"
! mot in opposition to the governor
they would never dare antagonize him
tomorrow you will return with Che
| vet"
I drew quick breath, my eyes on
his face.
How can you know all this, mon
sicur? Why should my uncle sacrifice
nae"
! "No matter how I know. Some OF
! lr 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 1 had evidence of what that
debt means"
Today"
GAY! twas from Chevet the threat
came that he would kill me If l ever
met with you again."
| could but stare at him, incredulous
my fingers unconsciously grasping his
| jacket
HE said that? Chevet?"
"Ay! Chevet; the message came by
mouth of the halfbreed. his voyageur
| and l choked out of him where he had
left his master. yet when l got there
the man had gone. If we might meet
| tonight the matter would be swiftly
| settled"
| He gazed out into the darkness. and
l saw his hand close on the hilt of his
knife. / caught his arm.
| mo, no. monsieur; not that. You
must not seek quarrel, for am not
| afraid-truly 1 am not; you will lis
! ten"
There was a voice speaking In the
office room behind, the closing of q
door, and the scraping OF chair as
| someone sat down. My words ceased
| aud we stood silent in the shadow, my
grasp still on D'Artigny's arm.
CHAPTER v.