The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-11-02

TOT tne open gate. Wnnt followed
know from word OF others, and no
view had OF II.
D'Artlgny had fallen, huddled in a
heap on the grass, and ! dragged my
self TO him on my knees. | heard oatbs
shuflllng OF feet, rush OF bodies, a
voice did not recognize shouting
some order-then the sharp crack OF a
rifle, and silence. cared not what
had occurred; had D'Arigny's head
In my arms, and his eyes opened and
smiled up at me full OF courage.
"You are badly hurtT"
mo, 7 think not; the thrust was too
high. Lift me- and breathe better
The man must have been mad"
Surely yes monsieur; think you he
had hope OF escape?"
"'Tis likely he thought only OF re
venge. All. you are here also. De
Tonty."
yes lad; there is small use for me
yonder You are not seriously struckY'
~ bleed freely, but the thrust was In
the shoulder. could stand, think.
with your aid"
On his feet he leaned heavily on MS
both. yet would not be led away, until
La Forest Joined us. He held In his
hand some papers, yet neither Of us
questioned him.
Monsieur de Tonty," he said. 81
would have private word with you"
when | help D'Artlgny to his bed.
and have look at his wound. Yet is II
not matter OF interest to these as
wellT
81 take II So"
"TheE speak your message-M. Cas-
sion IL deadW
"The sentry's bullet found his heart,
monsieur"
81 saw him fall Those papers wen
upon hlm-are they OF valueT
"That know not: they possess no
meaning to me. but they were ad.
dressed TO the man killed at ST. Ig-
mace"
Hugo Chevet?" | exclaimed. "My
uncle; may not see them, mOnsleurT
De Tonty placed them in my hands
letter from a lawyer in Quebec. with
form Of petition 10 the king, and a
report OF his search Of the archives OF
New France. The other document was
the sworn affidavit OF Jules Beaubaou.
clerk OF records, that he had seen
and read n paper purporting to be a
restoration from the king to the heirs
Of Captain Ia Chesnnyne. II was
signed and sealed. | looked up at the
faces surrounding me: startled and
frightened at this witness from the
dead.
"They are papers belonging to Che
vet?" asked De Tonty.
"Yes. monsieur-see. He must have
known. suspected the truth before our
departure, yet had no thought such
vllalny was the work OF NJ. Casslon.
He sought evidence"
"That is the whole story, no doubt
La Barre learned OF his search. for be
would have spies In plenty. and wrote
his letter OF warning to Casslon. The
latter, fearing the worst, and desperate
did not even hesitate at murder ia
gain possession OF these documents
Fate served him well. and gave him
D'Artlgny as n victim. wonder only
that he did not long ago destroy the
papers"
"There is always some weakness In
crime" commented La Forest, "and
the man has paid penalty for his. II
would be my guess he desired to place
them In La Barres hands in proof Of
his loyalty. But, messleurs, D'Artlgny
needs to have his wound dressed. We
can discuss all this later"
|
Il was two days later, and the bright
sunshine rested on Fort st. Louis
decking the sides OF the great rock with
gold, and bridging the broad valley
below. D'Artigny. yet too weak tC
rise unaided. sat in a chair Barbear
had made beside the open window
and to his call Joined him. my arm
on his shoulder as ! also gazed dowI
upon the scene below. II was one oI
peace now, the silvery Illinois wind
ing hlther and yon among Its greer
islands. the shsdowy 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 II
the sun. and | could see children ant
dogs playing before the tepees.
Down the sharp trail from the for
line OF Indian packers were toilini
slowly, their backs supporting heav!
burdens. which they bore to two ca
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 tool
their places at the paddles, and pushed
Off into the stream.
There was waving OF hands. ant
one among them-even at that dlstanc
could tell La Forest-looked up a
our window, and raised his hat Il
gesture Of farewell watched unit
they rounded the rock and dlsappeare,
on their long journey to Quebec, unit
the others--exiles OF the wilderness
turned away and began to climb uI
ward to the fort gates. D'Artigny'
hand closed softly over mine.
"You are sad, sweetheart: you Ions
too for New France"
"No, dear one" answered, and h
read the truth In my eyes. "Whel
ever you are is my home. On this roc
In the great valley we will serve eac
other-and France"