The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-10-27

view 4 ndu VI IL.
D'Artigny had fallen, huddled in a
heap on the grass. and | dragged my
self to him on my knees. | heard oaths
a shutting of feet. rush of bodies, a
voice did not recognize shouting
some order-then the sharp crack Of 8
rifle, and silence. l cared not what
had occurred; had D'Artigny's head
in my arms. and his eyes opened and
smiled up at me full Of courage.
you are badly hurt"
mo. think not: the thrust was tor
high Lift me. and | breathe better
The man must have been mad"
surely yes. monsieur: think you az
had hope of escape?"
"'Tis likely he thought only Of re
venge. All. you are here also. d.
Tonty."
Yes, lad: there is small use for m.
yonder. You are not seriously struck !?
81 bleed freely, but the thrust was IL
the shoulder. I could stand, l think
with your aid"
On his feet he leaned heavily on u
both. yet would not be led away, unit
La Forest joined us. He held in hi!
hand some papers. yet neither of u
questioned him.
Monsieur de Tonty." he said, Sc
| would have private word with you"
when l help D'Artigny to his bed
| and have look at his wound. Yet is i
not matter of interest to these a
| well?"
81 take it so.'
"Then speak your message-M. Cas-
sion is dead?"
"The sentry's bullet found his heart
| monsieur"
81 saw him fall Those papers wer
| upon him-are they of value"
"That I know not; they possess m
meaning to me. but they were ad
| dressed to the man killed at st. Ig
mace"
Hugo Chevetw l exclaimed. en-.
uncle; may not see them, monsieur?
De Tonty placed them in my hands
letter from a lawyer in Quebec. wit
form of petition to the king. and
report of his search of the archives o
New France The other document wa
the sworn affidavit of Jules Beaubaou
clerk Of records, that he had seel
and read a paper purporting to be
restoration from the king to the heir
Of Captain la Chesnayne. 1t wa
signed and sealed. looked up at tn
faces surrounding me: startled ant
frightened at this witness from tn
dead.
"They are papers belonging to Che
vet?" asked De Tonty.
"Yes, monsieur-see. He must hav
known, suspected the truth before on
departure, yet had no thought sucl
villainy was the work of M. Cassion
He sought evidence"
"That is the whole story, no doubt
La Barre learned of his search, for b
would have spies in plenty, and wrot
his letter of warning to Cassion. TIL
latter, fearing the worst, and desperate
did not even hesitate at murder t
gain possession of these documents
Fate served him well, and gave hin
| D'Artigny as a victim. I wonder Onl,
that he did not long ago destroy tn
papers"
There is always some weakness Il
| crime" commented La Forest, "an'
| the man has paid penalty for his.
would be my guess he desired to plac
them in La Barre's hands in proof o
his loyalty. But, messieurs, D'Artign.
needs to have his wound dressed. w
can discuss all this later"
|
1t was two days later. and the brigh
| sunshine rested on Fort st. Louis
fecking the sides of the great rock wit
gold, and bridging the broad vale,
below D'Artigny. yet too weak t
rise unaided. sat in chair Barbea1
had made beside the open window
and to his call 1 joined him, my arm
on his shoulder as l also gazed dow
upon the scene below. 1t was one o
peace now, the silvery Illinois wind
ing hither and yon among its greer
islands, the shadowy woods darken
ing one bank, and the vast meadow
stretching northward from the other
Below the bend an Indian village, al
ready rebuilt and occupied, slept il
the sun, and l could see children AM
dogs playing before the tepees.
| Down the sharp trail from the for
a line of Indian packers were tOiin
slowly, their backs supporting heav.
| hurdopc which thav hOro t0 two "a
noes resting against the bank. Abou
| these were grouped a little party o
white men, and when at last the sup
plies were all aboard, several too
their places at the paddles, and pushes
off into the stream.
| There was waving Of hands. ant
one among them-even at that distanc
l could tell La FOrest-loOked up a
our window, and raised his hat il
gesture of farewell. l watched unit
they rounded the rock and disappeare,
on their long journey to Quebec, unit
| the others-exiles of the wilderness
turned away and began to climb up
ward to the fort gates. D'Artigny'
hand closed softly over mine.
"You are sad. sweetheart: you long
too for New France?"
"No, dear one," / answered, and h
read the truth in my eyes. "Wher
ever you are is my home. On this rocl
in the great valley we will serve eacl
other-and France"
| THE END.