The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-08-04


Chevet."
He is rough. a woodsman." l de-
Tended. yet not unkind 10 me. You
will speak him fair?"
He laughed. his eyes sparkling with
merrlment.
mo fear OF my neglecting all cour-
tesy. for come beSeeChing a favor. |
have learned the lesson Of when the soft
speech wins more than the iron hand.
And this other. the CommiSSaire Cas-
sion-is he a bird OF the same plum
age?"
made n little gesture, and glanced
back at the closed door.
"Oh. no; he is the court courier, 10
stab with words. not deeds. Chevet
is rough OF speech and hard OF hand,
but he fights in the open; CasSion has
a double tongue, and one never knows
him" glanced UP into his sobered
face. "He is friend OF La Barre"
80 It's said, and has been chosen
by the governor 10 bear message 10
De BauEls In the Illinois country. l
seek passage in his company"
You. | thought you were OF the
party OF Sieur de Ia Salle?'
IL am" he answered honestly, yet
Cassion will need guide, and there
is none save myself in all New France
who has ever made that journey.
Twill be well for him 20 listen 10 my
plan. And why not? We do not
fight the orders Of the governor: we
obey, and wait Monsieur de In Sale
will tell his story 10 the king
THE King, To Louis?"
"Ay, twill not be the first time he
has had audience. and already he is
at sea. We can wait, and laugh at
this Cassion over his useless journey"
But he-he IL treacherous, mon
sieur."
He laughed as though the words
amused.
"To one who has lived as I, amid
savages, treachery is an old story. The
commissaire will not find me asleep.
We will serve each other. and let IL
go at that. All we are to be inter
rupted."
He Strengthened up facing the door,
and | turned. confronting my uncle
as he emerged in advance. He was a
burly man. with iron gray hair, and
face REDEEMED by out-of-doors: and he
stopped I'm surprise at sight OF a
stranger, his eyes hardening with sus-
picion.
"And who Is this with whom you
converse so privately, Adele? he
questioned brusquely, "a young popin-
Jay new to these parts l venture"
D'ArtlGny stepped between us.
smiling in good humor.
"My call was upon you. Monsieur
Chevet, and not the young lady he
said quietly enough, yet with tone
TO the voice. 81 merely asked her If
| had found the right place, and II
Monsieur the Commlssaire Casslon
was still your guest"
"And what. may | ask. might be
your business with the Commissaire
Cassion?" asked the latter. pressing
past Chevet yet bowing with a sem
blance OF pollteness. scarcely I'm ac-
cord with the studied insolence OF his
words. II have no remembrance OF
your face"
"Then. Monsieur Cassion is not OBJ
servant" returned the younger man
pleasantly. "as accompanied the
Sleur de Ia Sale I'm his attempt 10
have audience with the governor"
"Ah" the word OF surprise explod-
cd from the lips "Sacre, tits true, My
faith. what difference clothes make
mlstook you for n courier du boIs."
81 am the Sieur Rene d'Artigny."
Lieutenant OF La Salle'sT'
Scarcely that, monsieur. but n
comrade: for three years have been
with his party, and was chosen by him
for this mission"
Casslon laughed. chucking the
gloomy faced Chevet I'm the side. as
though he would give point 20 a good
joke.
And little the trip hlther has profit
cd either master or man, | warrant.
La Barre does not sell New France 90
every adventurer. Monsieur de la
Sale found different reception I'm Que
bee than when Frontenac ruled this
colony. Where went the fur stealerT
ITO whom do you referf"
"To whom? Heaven help us. Chevet.
the man would play nice with words.
Well let II go. my young cock, and
answer me"
"You mean the Sieur de Ia Salley"
'To be sure: called him no worse
than I have heard Ia Barre speak.
They say he has left Quebec: what
more know your
"'Tis no secret. monsieur" replied
D'Artigny quietly enough. although
there was a fash I'm his eyes. az they
met mine. "The Sleur de Ia Sale has
sailed for France"
France, Bah you lost: there has
been no ship outward bound"
The Breton paused AZ -. Roche.
held by the fog. When the fog lifted
there was a new passenger aboard. BY
dawn the Indian paddlers had me
landed In Quebec"
Docs La Barre know"
Faith, I could not tell you that.