The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-10-12
Beyond the Frontier
By RANDALL PARRISH
A Romance OF
Early Days In
the Middle WeSt

| ! acknowledge him as husband. Right
or wrong. whatever the church might
do, or the world might say. had come
to the parting OF the ways; here and
now ! must choose my own life, obey
the dictates OF my own conscience. |
had been welded by fraud to man
desplsed; my hatred had grown until
now | knew that would rather be
dead than live IN his presence.
II this state Of mind was sin, II was
beyond my power to rid myself OF the
curse; II was already condemned OF
holy church because OF failure to abide
by her decree, then there was naught
left but for me to seek my own happl-
ness, and the happiness Of the man 7
loved.
lifted my head. strengthened by
the very thought, the red blood tlnglIng
again through my veins The truth
was mine; | felt no inclination to OBJ
scure IT, The time had come for rejolc-
Ing, and action. | loved Rene Oar
tigny, and, although he had never spo-
ken the word. knew he loved me.
Tomorrow he would be In exile. wan
derer Of the woods, an escaped pris-
oner under condemnation OF death,
never again safe within reach OF
French authority. Ay, but he should
not so alone In the depths of those
forests, beyond the arm OF the law. be-
yond even the grasp OF the church, we
should go together. In our own hearts
love would justify. Without a Qualm
Of conscience. without even lingering
doubt. | made the choice, the 6nal
decision.
| know not how long It took me to
think this all out, until had accepted
fate; Dut | do know the decision
brought happiness and courage. Food
was brought me by strange Indian.
apparently unable to speak French;
nor would he even enter the room,
silently handing me the platter through
the open door. Two sentrles stood Just
wlthout-soldlers OF De Baugls.
guessed, as their features were unfa-
mliar They gazed at me curlousy.
rs stood In the doorway. but with
out changing their attitudes. Plainly
was held prisoner also; NJ. C0ssion's
threat was being put into execution.
This knowledge merely served TO
strengthen my decision, and closed
and barred the door again, smiling as
did so.
1t grew dusk while made almost
vain effort to eat, and. at last push
Ing the pewter plate away, crossed
over, and cautiously opened the wood
en- shutter OF the window. The red
light Of the sunset still illumined the
western sky. and found glorious renec-
ton along the surface OF the river.
II was a dizzy drop to the bed OF the
stream below, but Indians were on the
opposite bank. beyond rifle shot, in
considerable force. n half-dozen ca
noes drawn up on the sandy shore, and
several fires burning. They were too
far away for me to judge their tribe,
vet a number among them spOrted war
bonnets, and I had no doubt they were
lroquois.
SO far as could perceive elsewhere,
there was no movement as my eyes
travelled the half-clrcle. over wide
vista OF hill and dale. green valley
and dark woods. although to the left
could occasionally hear the sharp re
port OF rife In evidence that besleg
Ing savages were still watchful OF the
fort entrance. could not lean out far
enough to see in that direction, yet ns
the night grew darker the vicious splits
Of fire became visible. Above me the
solid log walls arose but few feet
tall man might stand upon the win
dow ledge. and find grip OF the roof;
but below was the sheer drop to the
rlver-perchance two hundred feet be
meath. Already darkness shrouded
the water. as the broad valley faded
into the gloom OF the night
There was naught for me to do but
sit and wait. The guard which ~
Cassion had stationed at the door pre-
vented my leaving the room. but its
more probable purpose was to keep
others from communicating with me
De TOnty had evidently resOrted TO
diplomacy. and instead OF quarreling
with the three officers when they ap
proached him. had greeted them all no
genially as to leave The impression that
he was disposed to permit matters TO
take their natural course. lie might
be watched OF course, yet was no
longer suspected as likely to help res
cue the prisoner All their fear now
was centered upon me. and my pos
slble influence.
II could be kept from any further
communication with either D'Artigny
or De Tonty, II was scarcely probable
that any OF the garrison would make
serious effort to interfere with their
plans De Tonty's apparent indlffer
ence. and his sudden triendllness with
De Baugls and Cassion, did not worry
me greatly. realized his purpose In
thus dverting suspicion. His pledge
Of assistance had been given me. and
his was the word OF a soldier and gen
tleman. In some manner. and soon
before midnight certainly would re-
ceive message from Boisrondet.
Yet my heart failed me more than
once as waited. How long the time
seemed, and how deadly silent was the
night Crouched close beside the door
could barely hear the muttered con
versatlon Of the soldiers on guard;
and when crossed 10 the open win
dow | looked out upon u black void