Mexico Missouri message., 1916-06-22

Perchance not, yet the way is long,
and he knows the wilderness. advise
you guard him well. shall send to
you for council in an hour; there are
papers yet unsigned"
he turned away to greet those who
followed us In line, while we moved
forward into the crowd about the
walls. Cassion whispered in my ear,
telling me bits Of gossip about this
and that one who passed US, seeking
to exhibit his wit, and impress me
with his wide acquaintance. l must
have made fit response, for his voice
never ceased, yet felt no interest in
the stories, and disliked the man more
than ever for his vapid boasting. The
truth is my thought was principally
concerned with D'Artigny, and wheth-
er he would really gain admission. Still
of this had small doubt, for his was
a daring to make light Of guards, or
any threat of enemies, If desire urged
him on. And had his pledge.
My eyes watched every moving fig
"ure, but the man was not present, my
anxiety increasing as realized his
absence, and speculated as to its cause.
Gould Cassion have interfered2 Could
ne have learned Of our interview, and
used his influence secretly to prevent
our meeting again? 1t was not impos-
gible, for the man was seemingly in
close touch with Quebec, and undoubt-
eddy possessed power. My desire to
see D'Artigny was now for his own
Bake-to warn him of danger and
'treachery. The few words had caught
passing between La Barre and Cas-
sion had to me a sinister meaning;
they were a promise of protection
from the governor to his lieutenant,
and this officer of La Sales should be
warned that he was suspected and
watched. There was more to La
Barre's words than appeared openly;
1t would be later, when they were
alone, that he would give his real
orders to Cassion. Yet I felt small
donbt as to what those orders would
5Be, nor of the failure of the lieutenant
r to execute them. The wilderness hid
many a secret, and might well conceal
another In some manner that night
1 must ind D'Artigny, and whisper my
warning.
These were my thoughts, crystalliz-
ing into purpose, yet 1 managed to
smile cheerily into the face of the com
missaire and make such reply to his
L5adinage as gave him pleasure. l
danced with him twice, pleased to
know / had not forgotten the step, and
then, as he felt compelled to show at
rtention to the governors lady, he left
me in charge of a tall, thin officer-a
Major Gallons, 1 think - reluctantly
and disappeared In the crowd. Never
did part with one more willingly
and as the major spoke scarcely a
dozen words during our long dance to
gefher found opportunity to think
and decide upon course Of action.
AS the music ceased my only plaI
was to avoid Cassion as long as pos
sibIe, and, at my suggestion, the silen
naaSOr conducted me to a side room
and then disappeared, seeking refresh
Iments. I grasped the opportunity t
slip through the crowd, and find con
cealment in a quiet corner.
/ leaned forward scanning each pass
ing face, my whole attention concer
trated on the discovery of D'Ardgny
Where he came from knew not, bu
his voice softly speaking at my yer
ear brought me to my feet wlta
little cry of relief. The Joy of fndin
MIN must have found expression in m
eyes, in my eager clasping of his hand
for he laughed.
"'Tls as though 2 was truly we
coined, mademoiselle," he said, an
zravely enough. could hope tina
you were even seeking me yonderY'
cit would be the truth, IL you did,
responded frankly, "and ! was b
.ginning to doubt your promise"