Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-12-08

ously?"
His eyes were upon me as he asked
the question, and l answered him
frankly.
He visited often at the home OF
my uncle, Hugo Cheyet, and, while
he never spoke to me directly of mar
riage, was told he desired me for
his wife, and at the palace he so pre-
scented me to Monsieur Ia Barre"
"On pledge Of Chevet, no doubt
Your uncle knew of your fortune"
No; he supposed me penniless; he
thought it great honor done me by
the favorite Of the governors. Twas
my belief he expected some reward
for persuading me to accept the offer"
And this CheYet-what became Of
him?"
He accompanied US on the journey,
also upon order of Monsieur la Barre,
who, no doubt, thought he would be
safer in the wilderness than in Que
bee. He was murdered at st. Ignace."
"Murdered|
"Ay, struck down from behind with
knife. No one knows who did it,
but Cassion has charged the crime
against Sieur dArtigny, and circum-
stances are such he will find it diff
cult to prove his innocence"
The soldier stood silent, evidently
reviewing In his mind all that had
been told him, his eyes narrowed into
Sits as he gazed thoughtfully at US
both.
"Bahw he exclaimed at last, "the
riddle Is not so hard to read, al
though, no doubt, the trick has been
well played. l know Governor la
Barre, and this Francois Casson, for
l have served under both, while Mon
sieur la Chesnayne was my captain
and friend. May I tell you what, in
my judgment, seems best for you to
do?"
I glanced at D'Artigny and his
eyes gave me courage.
Monsieur, you are a French SOL
der" l answered, ian educated man,
also, and my fathers friend. I will
listen gladly"
His eyes smiled, and he swept the
earth with his cap.
Then my plan is thIs--leave Mon
sleur Cassion to go his way and let
me be your guide southwark l know
the trails, and the journey is not diff
cult. NJ de la Durantaye is camped
at the portage Of the Des PLANES,
having but a handful OF men, to be
sure, yet he is a gallant officer and no
enemy to La Sale, although he serves
the governor. He will see justice
done, and give you both safe convoy to
Fort St Louis, where De Touty knows
how to protect his officers, Faith! l
would like to see Francois Cassion try
to browbeat that one-armed Italian
'twould be one time he would meet
his match"
D'Artigny laughed.
GAY. you are right there my friend.
I have felt the iron hook and wit
messed how he wins his way with
white and red. Yet he is no longer in
command at Fort st. Louis; bring
him orders now from Sieur de la
Sale bidding him not to interfere
with the governors heutenants. IT'S
the Chevalier de Baugis with whom
We must reckon"
"True, he has control, and men
enough, with Cassion's party, to en-
force his order And he Is a hot-head
conceited, and holding himself a bit
better than others, because he bears
commission in the Kings Dragons
IT'S said that he and De Tonty have
had many a stiff quarrel since he
came; but he dare not go too far
There are good men there ready tc
draw sword II It ever come to blows
De Tonty, Boisrondet, L'Espirance
De Marie, and the AlgonQuins camped
on the plain below. They would be
tigers il the Italian spoke the word
while I doubt not NJ. de la Durantay6
would throw his influence on the side
Of mercy; he has small love for the
captain Of dragons"
I spoke quickly, and before DAT
tigny could voice decision
1--WE will accent your guidance
monsieur. II is the best choice. arC
now the only one for the time is pas