The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-09-28

1 hhcs CdiOt cmtTBe from lne
shadows of the bluff. cannot
picture the sudden shrinking fear
which, In that instant, mastered
me.
They were coming, to drag me
back into slavery; coming to de.
nounce De Artigny of crime, and
demand his life.
l know not which thought dom.
mated me-my own case, or his
but l realized instantly what
course Cassion would pursue. His
hatred of De Artigny would be
famed into flame by discovery
that we were alone together. He
possessed the power, the author.
ity, to put this man forever out
of his way.
My decision was made in an in.
slant. l turned to the fire, dug
dirt up with my hands and COW
cred the Goals, until they were
completely extinguished. Then
lay down to watch.
l could now see clearly the
faces of those in the canoe-the
dark countenances of the Indians
and the three white men, all gaZ-
ing intently at the shore line, as
they swept past, soldier in the
bow, and Pere Allouez and Cas-
sion at the stern, the latter grip
ping the steering paddle. The
sound of his rasping, disagreeable
voice reached me first.
go on, round the long point
yonder, and If there is no sign
there we will return" he said
grimly. "'Tis my thought they
were all drowned, and there is nc
need of our seeking longer. Pull
on, boys, and let us finish the
job"
They rounded the point, the
Pere talking earnestly. but the
canoe so far away I could not
overhear his words. Cassion paid
small heed to what he urged, but
after a glance into the marrow
basin beyond, swung the bow OF
the canoe about and headed II
southwark, the return course far
ther off shore.
So intent was I that ] knew
nothing of De Artigny's presence
until he spoke.
What is that yonder-a ca
noe?"
/ started, shrinking back, sud-
denly realizing what | had done,
and the construction he might
place upon my action. 81 =
Yes" l answered, family, 1T
it is a canoe 9As |
but 1t is going away" he
paused, looking into my face, did
it not come this far?" roo,
1.-THE canoe came here" I fall
tered, my voice betraying me.
And you made no signal? You
let them go, believing us dead?'
| could not look at him, and ]
felt my cheeks burn with shame.
Eyes, Monsieur; but do you
realize why / have done what must
seem an unwomanly act?"
He was still gazing after the
canoe, but turned and looked into
my face.
mo, Madame; yet l cannot
deem your reason an unworthy
one-yet wait; could 1t be fear Tor
my life?"
at was that, and that only,
Monsieur. The truth came to me
in a flash. felt hate rather than
love urged Cassion to make search
for us. If he found us here to-
gether alone, he would care for
nothing save revenge. He has
the power, the authority to con-
denim you, and have you shot.
saw no way to preserve your life
but to keep you out of his grip
until you we're with your friends
at Fort st. Louis
"You sacrifice yourself for
mel"
IT'S no more than you did
when you leaped from the canoe
"Pah, that was man'n work;
but now you risk more THIN life;
you peril reputation .
mo, Monsieur; no more than 1t
was already imperiled. Cassion
need never know that I saw his
searching party, and surely no one
can Justly blame me for being res
cused from death. One does not
ask. in such a moment, who the
rescuer is. | feel | have chosen
right, Monsieur, and yet / must
trust YOU to never cause me to re-
greet that / am the wife of Mon
sieur Cassion."
To my surprise his face bright
ened, his eyes smiling, as he bow
ed low before me.
Your confidence shall not be
betrayed, Madame" he said gal
lantly. "And now I rejoice that I
can make your sacrifice less griev-
GUS"
"In what way, Monsieur"
"In that I have brought back
with me a comrade, whose pres
ence will rob Cassion of some
sharpness of tongue. Shall-w we go
meet him?"
Meet him! a man, you mean?
One rescued from the cancer"
mo, a soldier under Monsieur
de la Durantaye, who has camp
below at the portage to the Des
PLANES. Out yonder l ran onto
him bearing, some messages from
Green Bay. Come, Madame, there
is naught now you need to fear. q"
CHAPTER VII. .if-E.
: We Decide Our Course.
The new arrival was just with