Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1916-06-15
CHAPTER III.
| Apneal for Aid.

1T nad been w years since L was
at Quebec, and it was with new eyes
of appreciation that | watched the
great bristling cliffs as our boat Gid
ed silently past the shore and headed
in toward the landing. Cassion met
us, attired so gayly in rich vestments
that l scarcely recognized the man,
whom l had always seen before in
dull forest garb, yet l permitted him
to take my hand and assist me gal
Iantly to the shore. 1t was evidently
a gala day. for flags and streamers
were flying from every window of the
lower town, and the narrow, crooked
streets were filed with wanderers
having no apparent business but en-
joyment. Never had l viewed SO mot
ly a throng, and I could but gaze about
with wide opened eyes on the strange
passing figures.
1t was all of such interest l was
glad enough to be finally rid of him,
and be greeted so kindly by Sister
Celeste.
Three years have changed you
greatly, my child" she said gently.
touching my cheeks with her soft
hands; but bright as your eyes are,
it is not all pleasure l see in them.
You must tell me Of your life. The
older man, l take it, was your uncle,
Monsieur Chevet."
YES" l answered, but hesitated to
add more.
"He is much as I had pictured him,
a bear of the woods"
HE is rough" l protested, "for his
life has been hard, yet has given me
no reason to complain. IT'S because
the life Is lonely that l grow old"
mo doubt, and the younger gallant?
He is not Of the forest school?''
Twas Monsieur Cassion, commits
saire for the governor"
"Ah! it's through him you have in
v~itation to the great ball."
1 bowed my head, wondering at the
kind questioning in the sisters eyes
Could she have heard the truth? Per
chance she might tell me something
of the man.
HE has been selected by Monsieur
Chevet as my husband" l explained
doubtfully. "Know you aught Of the
man, sister,"
Her hand closed gently on mine.
mo, only that he has been chosen
by La Barre to carry special message
to the Chevalier de Baugis in the Hi
nois country. He hath an evil, sheer
ing face, and an insolent manner, ever
as described to me by the Sieur d'Ar
tigny."
1 caught my breath quickly, and m,
hand grasp frightened.
"The Sieur d'Artigny" 1 echoed
startled into revealing the truth. III
has been here? has talked with you?
"Surely, my dear girl. He was her
with La Sale before his chief sailet
for France, and yesterday he cam
again, and questioned me-"
Questioned your
eyes; he sought knowledge of yor
J and of why you were in the househol
Of Chevet. l liked the young man, an
told him all / knew, Of your father
death and the decree of the court, an
of how Chevet compelled you to leav
: the convent. | felt him to be homes
and true, and that his purpose Wa
& worthy"
S "Sister, you must hear me-" I salt
II have no mother, no friend even
whom to appeal; / am Just a girl a
" alone. / despise this man Cassion;
do not know why, but he seems to
like a snake, and | cannot bear b
presence. l would rather die tina
marry him. | do not think Chew,
II trusts him, either, but he has some hol
d and compels him to sell me as thong
/ was a slave in the market. | am
be made to marry him. l pray yC
Il let me see this Sieur d'Artigny thu
D. | may tell him all, and beseech b
1T aid"
o But why D'Artlgny, my girl? VIII
n is the boy to your"
le "Nothing-absolutely nothing"
d confessed frankly. eve have scarce
spoken together, but he is a gala
t Of true heart; he will refuse a
ID to a maid like me. It will be Joy Z
r him to outwlt this enemy Of La Sal
All I ask is that | be permitted to t.
him my story"
q, Celeste sat silent, her white han
IN cIasped, her eyes on the stained gla