Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-09-14
CHAPTER XXI.
Condemned.

He opened the paper gravely, shad-
owing the page with one hand so that
Cassion was prevented from seeing the
words. He read slowly, a frown on
his face.
"'Tis the writing Of Governor La
Barre, although unsigned" he said at
last.
Eyes, monsieur"
"How came the page in your pos
session."
II removed it last night from a leath-
er bag found beneath the sleeping bunk
in the quarters assigned me-"
do you know whose bag it was?"
Certainly; it was in the canoe with
me all the way from Quebec-M. Cas-
sion's."
Your husbandf"
Eyes, monsieur"
De Baugis' eyes seemed to darken
as he gazed at me; then his glance fell
upon Cassion, who was leaning for
ward, his mouth open, his face ashen
gray. He Strengthened up as he met
De Baugis' eyes, and gave vent to an
irritating laugh.
"Sacre, it's quite melodramatic," he
exclaimed harshly. But of little value
else. l acknowledge the letter, NJ. de
Baugis, but it bears no relation to this
affair. Perchance it was unhappily
worded, so that this woman. eager to
save her lover from punishment
De Tonty was on his feet, his sword
half drawn.
otis a foul lie" he Numbered hotIy.
81 will not stand silent before such
words"
"Messieurs," and De Baugis struck
the table. "This is a court, not a
messroom. Be seated, NJ. de Tonty;
no one in my presence will be permit
ted to besmirch the honor of Captain
de la Chesnayne's daughter. Yet |
must agree with Major Cassion that
this letter in no way proves that he
resorted to violence, or was even urged
to do so. The governor in all prob
ability suggested other means. l could
not be led to believe he c~ountenanced
the commission Of crime, and shall
ask to read the remainder of his letter
before rendering decision, You found
no other documents, madame"
"None bearing on this case"
1.-THE papers supposed to be taken
from the dead body of Chevet?"
mo, monsieur"
| 'Then / cannot see that the status
of the prisoner is changed, or that we
have any reason to charge the crime
to another. You are excused, madame,
while we listen to such other witnesses
as may be called"
Tears misted my eyes, so the faces
about me were blurred, but, before |
could find words in which to voice my
Indignation, De Tonty stood beside me,
and grasped my arm
'There is no use madame" he said
coldly enough, although his voice
shook. you only invite insult when
you deal with such ours. They repre-,
sent their master, and have made YER
dict already-let us CO."
De Baugis, Cassion, De la Durantaye
were upon their feet, but the Dragon
first found voice.
"Were those words addressed to me
NJ. de TontyY
SAY, and why not! You are no more
than La Barre's dog. Listen to me, al
three of you. Twas Sieur de la Sale!
orders that l open the gates Of thi!
fort to your entrance, and that l trea.
your c~ourteously. l have done SO, al
though you took my kindness to b
sign of weakness, and have lorded /
nightly since you came. But this il
the end; from now it Is wal between
us, messieurs, and we will fight in tn,
open. Convict Rene d'Artigny from
the lies of these %hirelings, and yol
pay the reckoning at the point of m.
sword. / make no threat, but this |