Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1916-09-21
Beyond the Frontier
By RANDALL PARRISH
"A Romance Of
EarN Days In
the Middle West


| "Of France? Pah. OF the renegade
La Sale"
| France has no more loyal 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"
| 1--WE will not quarrel over words.
yet not even in Quebec was it claimed
that higher authority than La Barre's
had led to recall. Louis had never in
terfered, and it is De Tonty. and not
De Baugis who is In command at st.
Louis by royal order. My right to
respect of rank is clearer than your
own, monsieur. so beg you curb your
temper"
| "You threaten meT'
"No; we who live In the wilderness
do not talk, we act. obey your or
ders, do your will, on this expedition.
but as man. not a slave. In all else
we stand equal. and accept insult
from no living man. 'Tis 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 I'll stretch his
dainty form as I would an Indian
cur"
Monsieur" said, drawing his at
| tention to my presence. "'Tis of no
interest to me your silly quarrel with
Sieur d'Artigny. am weary with the
boat journey. and would rest until
food is served"
l walked beside him among the
trees. and across the patch of grass
to where the tent stood against a
background of rock. D'Artigny had
disappeared, although glanced about
| In search for him. as Cassion drew
aside the tent flap. and peered within.
He appeared pleased at the way In
which his orders had been executed.
""Tis very neat. indeed, monsieur"
said pleasantly. glancing inside. 81
owe you my thanks"
Twas brought for my own use,"
he confessed, encouraged by my gra-
clousness. "for. as you know, | had
no previous warning that you were
tosbe of our party. Please step with
in"
| did so, yet turned instantly to pre-
vent his following me. Already ! had
determined on my course of action.
and now the time had come for me to
/! speak him clearly; yet now that l had
] definite purpose In view 1t was no
part of my game to anger the man.
Monsieur" / said soberly 81 must
beg your mercy. am but a girl, and
alone 1t is true l am your wife by
law, but the change has come so sud
denly that am yet dazed. appeal
to you as a gentleman"
He stared into my face, scarcely
comprehending all my meaning.
You would bar me without? You
forbid me entrance?"
Would you seek to enter against
my wish?"
But you are my wife; that you will
| not deny. Wnat VIII De Salu. tnouSut'
IL | go elsewhere?"
Monsieur, save for Hugo Chevet.
none in this company know the story
| of that marriage, or why J am here.
| What | ask brings no stain upon you.
| It's not that | so dislike you, mon
sieur, but l am the daughter of Pierre
la Chesnayne, and tbs not in my blood
to yield to force. 1t will be best to
yield me respect and consideration"
"You are sly wench," he said,
laughing unpleasantly, "but 1t may be
best that give you your own way for
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 you
will become lonely enough In the will
derness to welcome me. One kiss, and
leave you"
"No. monsieur"
His eyes were ugly.
"You refuse that! Mon Dieu! DO
you think play? | will have the
kiss-or more"