Mexico Missouri message., 1916-06-22

" ISdu DuCh u Tie LudulpulhIlODS VI
Cassion. Faith! there is some mystery
here, for surely the man seemed happy
enough when first we met at Chevet's
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, tits no need
that 1t be mentioned"
''Your pardon, mademoiselle, but
your words already answer me-'tis
then that have shown interest in you;
the dog is JEALOUSY
Monsieur
He laughed, and 1 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 1 be your
soldier than my own. See how 1t 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 receive word
that If have more to do with you
die. I smile at the warning and send
back a 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invitation to this ball is withdrawn,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, mademolselle."
"You make it no more than q jokeT
Far from 1t; the very fact that 1
know the men makes it matter Of
grave concern. 1 might, indeed, smile
did 1t concern myself alone, but have
your interests in mind-you have hon.
ored me by calling me your only
friend, and now 1 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
to the Illinois. No doubt he will leave
behind him those who will observe my
movements-that cannot harm"
at 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. do not ask. But to those
who meet him in the world he is big,
cruel, savage brute, who would sacri-
flee 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"
81 can remain with the sisters"
"Not in opposition to the governor;
they would never dare antagonize him;
tomorrow you will return with Che
vet"
I drew a quick breath, my eyes on
his face.
"How can you know all this. mon
sieur? Why should my uncle sacrifice
me"
'No matter how know. Some Of
it has been your own confession,
coupled with my knowledge of the
man. Three days ago learned OF bis
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"
To-Day
GAY! twas from Chevet the threat
came that he would kill me if I ever
met with you again"
could but stare at him, increduleus,
my fingers uncOnsciously grasping his
jacket.
''He said thata Chevet?"
"Ayl Chevet; the message came, by
mouth Of the haIfbreed, his voyageur,
and 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
1 saw his hand close on the hilt Of his
knife. 1 caught his arm.
"No, no, monsieur; not that. You
must not seek a quarrel, for am not
afraid-trulE am not; you will lis
ten"
There was a voice speaking In the
Office room behind, the closing OF q
door, and the serapiDg of chair as
someone sat down. My words ceased
and we stood silent in the shadow, my
grasp still ON D'Artigny's arm.